Adivasi Mela 2017 begins in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 26:

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the 2017 edition of annual Adivasi Mela at the Adivasi Ground of Bhubaneswar on occasion of Republic day.

Hosted by the ST and SC Development Department, the 15-day long event showcases the tribal life, tradition and culture of the state that has as many as 62 tribes and 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) constituting nearly one-fourth of Odisha’s population.

According to the organisers, the stalls at the venue have been divided into nine segments, including a tribal market, tribal village, government stalls and textile stall. Other than the tribal food market, tribal dance pandal has also been erected there.

Besides, a wide range of tribal activities, including performing arts, paintings, sculptures, handicraft items are also being presented during the fair.

A number of cultural programmes showcasing dance and music of seven tribal groups have also been lined up between 6 PM and 9 PM over the course of next 15 days. Quite like the previous years, the fair will continue till February 9.

Elaborate security arrangement has been made at the exhibition venue with the erection of two watch towers and installation of 30 CCTV cameras. Information centre, police control room, check up centre, temporary fire station and fire extinguishers have also been set up to avoid any untoward incident.

Besides, necessary measures have been taken to ensure availability of round the clock electricity, emergency servicea, and free flowing traffic.

The fair, which started back in 2010, has become very popular over the years and has registered a steady rise in footfalls. Last year, over 10 lakh people had visited the mela grounds. To attract more visitors, the department is aiming to make the Adivasi mela bigger and better this year.