Marathi Sahitya

Adivasi Cultural Festival - 2013

The 5^th Adivasi cultural festival and competitions were organized at SHAKTI-Legal aid and Human Rights Centre, Songadh, Tapi Dt., Gujarat, on 9 and 10February 2013. The programme was jointly planned and organized by Adivasi Mahamandal Charitable Trust, Adivasi Sarvangi VikasSangh (of Nizar, Uchhal, Songadh, Vyara, Mandvi, Mangrol and Umarpada) and SHAKTI LAHRC, Songadh. The aim of the event was to raise awareness, to awaken the sense of Adivasi culture and identity, and to encourage, develop and strengthen their talents and artistic skills, so that the Adivasis feel proud of their culture and live a dignified life.

The programme started with traditional Adivasi “puja” (prayer offering). More than 20,000 people of different adivasi communities, namely; Gamit, Chowdhary, Vasava, Kokani, Dangi, Dhodiya, Kathud, Kotvaliyafrom Gujarat, South Maharastra and Rajasthan –participated in it and that too, with their own expenses. It was a celebration of unity in diversity of Adivasi community.

Shri Tushar Chowdhary, Minister of Road and Building of the government of India was the chief guest of the function while Shri Punajibhai Gamit, the MLA of Vyara, Shri Prabhubhai Vasava, M.L.A of Maandvi, Shri Mavjibhai Chowdhari, District President of Tapi Dt., Shri Sunilbhai Gamit, Member of Tapi Dt.Panchayat and Ms. Ushaben Gamit, President of Songadh Taluka Panchayat and several leaders of the community and government officers, too, were present to grace the occasion.

Mr. Vijay Parmar, Director of Janvikas, confessed that he hadnever seen such a big gathering of people in this vicinity though he travelled far and wide in Adivasi land. He praised the participants andorganizers for the disciplined and well-organized gathering, and appreciated the enthusiasm of participants to uphold the culture of the community while there are people working against the interests of Adivasis.

There were competitions for traditional dresses of different communities. The people participated with great enthusiasm and interest. The following is a list of competitions and the number of people who took part in it.

S.No	Items of competitions	No. Of people who participated
S.No	Items of competitions	Men	women	Total
1	Gilol	89	02	91
2	Bow & arrow	30	01	31
3	Pavi	15	0	15
4	Pavari	12	0	12
5	Cchibli	6	7	13
6	Dovadu	11	0	11
7	Drums	50	3	53
8	Folk dance (Elders)	32	---	32
9	Folk dance (children)	14	---	14
10	Traditional Dress	35	48	83
	Total	269	62	352

From the above 10 items, 48 individuals and 14 teams were declared winners and they were also awarded certificates with cash prize ranging from Rs. 301 to Rs.1701. The cash prize alone amounts to Rs.53,563. 00.

For the past 4 years people have been coming from different parts of Gujarat, neighbouring states (Maharashtra and Rajasthan) making their own arrangements. Adivasi communities from 9 subdivisions had contributed generously with grain, pulses, vegetables, oil etc. towards community meal. About 10,000 people enjoyed this common meal. The highlight of the programme was the “Rodali Party” (a traditional dance drama for entertainment and giving relevant messages) of Raising Mama which people enjoyed till early morning of the following day.

Adivasi Mahamandal Charitable Trust submitted a 9 points memorandum to Mr. Tushar Chowdhary, the chief guest of the function regarding the problems and issues of the area. They are a follows:

1. Implement the PESA act in adivasi areas and following the provision of PESA respect the gramsabha in its resolutions.

2. The Government of Gujarat had taken an undertaking in Gujarat High court on 17/8/2012 to complete the work of Ukai right canal within 7 years. The work has not yet been begun. We demand the work be started immediately as per the promise of the government.

3. The families engaged in taking care of cattle (govalia) in Tapi, Surat, Narmada, Bharuch, Dangs, Vadodara, Panchmahal and Banaskantha areas be included in the primitive group and make them partners in the development process.

4. Include adivasi religion as “adidharm” as the 7 th category in the forth coming census of 2021

5. According the Forest Rights act 2006, accept the application of all those who have been cultivating before 2005 and have produced any two proofs as per the act and provide them the documents of right at the earliest.

6. Approve the community rights of the villages according to the Forest Rights Act and entrust the protection and development of the forest to the respective gramsabhas.

7. According to the instruction of Gujarat High court the vegetable vendors of Songadh should be provided at the earliest proper sheds in the place allotted to carry on their business

8. Non Adivasis and industries are snatching away adivasi land under the lease of 99 years which should be cancelled immediately and all such land should be returned to the original owner.

9. 73 AA is to protect the land of adivasis from being transferred to others. There are efforts to remove this law and snatch away adivasi land. Immediate action should be taken to stop this and protect adivasi land from being snatched away under different pretext.

The entire program was handled effectively by Mr. Rineshbhai Gamit and Ms. Smitaben Gamit. The program concluded early morning on 11th February after the price distribution. The thanksgiving speech was delivered by Mr. Navinbhai Chowdhary, the president of Adivasi Mahmandal Charitable Trust.

Jai Adivasi! Jago Adivasi!

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