Aadi Mahotsav

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated AadiMahotsav, a mega national tribal festival, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.

What is Aadi Mahotsav?

• Started in: 2007
• Organized by:Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Limited (TRIFED),Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Theme 2023: “A celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts , Culture, Cuisine, and Commerce”
• Objective:The annual ‘AadiMahotsav’ honours the spirit of tribal culture, crafts, gastronomy, trade, and traditional art.

Key-highlights of 2023 Edition:

• The programme present the rich and varied legacy of tribes from all around the nation.
• At the Mahotsav, almost 1000 tribal artisans took part.
• Along with the customary attractions like handicrafts, handloom, ceramics, jewellery, etc., the Mahotsavplaced a special emphasis on exhibiting Shree Anna grown by tribal people because 2023 is being observed as the International Year of Millets.

Why tribals are considered ‘vulnerable section’ in the society?

Tribal communities are often identified by some specific signs such as:

• Primitive traits
• Distinctive culture
• Geographical isolation
• Shyness to contact with the community at large
• Backwardness
• Though their vulnerability is defined by several factors;
  • Dependency on hunting and gathering for food
  • Having pre-agriculture level of technology
  • Zero or negative growth of population
  • Extremely low level of literacy

How government is empowering the tribes?

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Ministry was set up in 1999 with the objective of providing a more focused approach to the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): EMRS have been set up to provide quality education to ST students (Class VI-XII) in remote areas through residential schooling facilities.
• PradhanMantriVanbandhuVikas Yojana: Under the PradhanMantriVanbandhuVikas Yojana, a venture capital fund has been set up to promote entrepreneurship/start-up projects by ST youth.
• PradhanMantri Jan JatiyaVikas Mission: Minimum Support Price (MSP) is ensured for Minor Forest Produce, and marketing support for tribal products is provided through the PradhanMantri Jan JatiyaVikas Mission.
• TRIFED: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India supports retail marketing for livelihood development among tribal communities of India. This includes the Van Dhan Yojana (VDY).
• PradhanMantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana: PMAAGYaims at providing basic infrastructure in villages with a significant tribal population.
• Health initiatives:Mission Indradhanush,NikshayMitra initiative. The government is also working for the management, control and eradication of Sickle Cell disease.
• Honouring tribals: 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museumshave been sanctioned in States where tribals lived.