Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has always shown interest to preserve the unique heritage, language, culture, literature, poetry of the tribes.
Jagannath Saraka, Minister, ST &SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department and Law said, this is the first time to organize a state-level Tribal Poet Meet in the state with tribal poets. Minister informed that it is a matter of pride for all of us to
present the glorious history and cultural heritage through poetry on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
The opening ceremony of the Tribal Poets Meet was held today at the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI). Director Tribal Affairs and SCSTRTI Indramani Tripathy graced the occasion.
The Meet will be organised with 48 poets in this two-days Meet. Today 24 poets recited poems. Among them, 2 people from Binjhal community, 3 people from Koya community, 10 people from Kui community, 3 people from Saora community and one poet each from Paraja, Lanjia, Gond, Kuvi, Gadaba, Desia community recited poems.
The main objective of this meet is to celebrate the contribution of tribal literature and culture. The conference will help preserve the written and oral poems of the tribals and bring their talent and creativity to the masses.
On this occasion, the minister said, through the Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Program (OTELP), emphasis is being given to the development of 30 backward blocks in the districts of Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts of southwest Odisha.
Dash Benhur, Editor Sargiful, participated as chief speaker in the program and said, literature cannot be created without compassion. Every poet must have sensitivity, sympathy, empathy and emotion. The emergence of poetry is from nature, so the birth of poem is from the people of nature i.e., Tribals.
In the welcome address, Shri Tripathy, Director, SCSTRTI, said that famous poets from various tribal communities such as Binjhal, Desia, Gadaba, Kisan, Koya, Kui, Saora, Munda, Bhumija, juang, Santhali, Ho etc. will recite poems. All the poems they read will be published in a special edition.
Samarendra Bhutia, OSD, SCSTRTI conducted the program while the guests were welcomed by Deputy Director Santosh Rath, and the Assistant Director Madhusmita Sahoo gave vote of thanks.