Adivasi Mahotsava pays tribute to Manipur victims

Ranchi:The second edition of the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsava began on a sombre note here on Wednesday as chief minister Hemant Soren, Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren and other dignitaries attending the event paid tribute to the victims of the ongoing ethnic clashes in Manipur by observing a minute’s silence.A tribal delegation from Manipur remained the centre of attraction for a fair part of the inaugural function. Monika, who is a part of the Manipuri delegation, said, “There have been numerous atrocities against tribal women in my state. Only one video has surfaced on the internet and shocked everyone. We cannot imagine what would happen when the internet service is restored. Whatever is happening in my state is very unfortunate.”Since morning, the sprawling Birsa Smriti Park at the old jail complex, where the mahotsava was held, was abuzz with activities. As groups of folk artists played their traditional instruments, the makeshift tents, which housed stalls of different handloom products made by Jharcraft, packaged and processed food items by Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society’s flagship brand Palash attracted hundreds.People from tribal communities began arriving at the venue in long, colourful processions accompanied by traditional musical instruments.Dressed in traditional tribal attire, young tribal men, women and schoolchildren swarmed into the park to get a glimpse of the festival. The crowd let out a huge roar when celebrated tribal playback singer Monika Mundu, who also played a cameo in Sushant Singh Rajput starrer ‘M S Dhoni: An Untold Story’ took the stage.Various tribal musical troupes from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala and Rajasthan also showcased their traditional performances at the event. A total of 35 research reports undertaken by the Dr Ramdayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute were released on the occasion.