Indigenous people to showcase cultural traditions

As a slew of programmes have been lined up for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People in the tribal heartland of Bhadrachalam Agency on Thursday. A host of Adivasi organisations are gearing up to make a strong pitch for declaration of a national holiday on the World Adivasi Day on August 9.

The Adivasi Samkshema Parishat (ASP), the Nayakpodu Seva Samithi and the Konda Reddi Adivasi Sangham, among other organisations, have planned a massive rally in the temple town on Thursday to showcase the distinct cultural traditions of Adivasis and draw attention to the urgent need for safeguarding the Adivasis’ rights, belief systems and cultural heritage.

Adivasis are the indigenous people of India and the persons at the helm should declare the World Adivasi Day as a national holiday to fulfill the long-cherished aspirations of indigenous people and protect Adivasis’ distinct cultural heritage for posterity, said Madavi Nehru, Convener, ASP, Bhadrachalam.

A meeting of several organisations representing Adivasis inhabiting the Agency areas has been convened on World Adivasi Day on Thursday to deliberate on the issues affecting the indigenous people and the future course of action to defend the rights of Adivasis, he said.

A rally will be taken out in Bhadrachalam to mark the World Adivasi Day. Representatives of Adivasi organisations, elected representatives and officials of the government departments and agencies concerned will participate.