World Indigenous Peoples Day observed across erstwhile Adilabad with grandeur

World Indigenous Peoples Day was celebrated across Adilabad and neighbouring districts with tributes to tribal heroes, cultural programmes, rallies, and calls to protect tribal rights over land, water, and forests.

Adilabad: The World Indigenous Peoples Day was observed on a colorful note across erstwhile Adilabad district on Sunday.

In Adilabad, Collector Rajarshi Shah along with SP Akhil Mahajan paid tributes to tribal legends in an event held to mark the occasion. He stated that efforts were being made to improve standards of education, health and road infrastructure in tribal villages. He added that various schemes were being implemented to transform the lives of tribals.

---

In Utnoor, ITDA project officer Manda Makarandu also took part in the celebrations. He stated that the government was implementing a slew of programmes for the welfare of the tribals. He said that the historic Utnoor fort was being revived and distinct tribal cultures were being protected. He urged the tribals to carry forward their rich traditions to future generations.

Special programmes, presentation of traditional dance forms and a massive rally were organized in Utnoor mandal centre, Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad district headquarters to mark the occasion. Collector K Haritha and SP Nitika Pant shone by sporting traditional attire of tribals. Asifabad MLA Kova Laxmi, MLC Dande Vittal, MLA Harish Babu and others attended the programme.

Meanwhile, the ethnic tribes unfurled their traditional flags and vowed to protect their culture and traditions in junctions of villages, mandal centres and towns as part of the event across Adilabad, Nirmal, Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Mancherial districts.

The tribals recalled their legends such as Kumram Bheem and Ramji Gond and paid tributes to the duo. Their leaders stressed the need to rededicate themselves for achieving their rights over land, water and forest. They demanded the government to protect the rights of the ethnic tribes. They hailed tribal heroes for sacrificing their lives for the rights over water, land and forest.