Need to protect, promote tribal culture: Baghel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday said there is a need to protect and promote the language, culture and civilization of the tribes. The National Tribal Literature Festival will act as a bridge to connect tribal society with other societies.

He was addressing as Chief Guest the three-day Festival at its inauguration at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium here. It will conclude on April 21.

Baghel honoured Padma Shri Loknayak Haldhar Nag, Sakini Ramachandra and Arjun Singh Dhurve.

Most of the tribes were facing extinction due to destruction of habitat and other reasons. So, there is a need to preserve and promote tribal language, culture and their population, he said.

The maiden festival will definitely act as a bridge between other societies and tribal society from a cultural point of view. The language and style differ from Surguja to Bastar among tribes.

On the initiatives taken by his government, Baghel said the Naxalite problem has been reduced in the state in the last three years.

As part of commitment, a text book has been prepared in 16 types of dialects of the state. Children of Class I and II are studying in their dialect.

The Bastar Academy of Dance, Art and Language (BADAL) has been established in Bastar for the preservation and promotion of tribal languages, dialects and art traditions. Similarly, academies are also being set up in other tribal dominated districts.

Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam emphasized the documentation of tribal traditions and literature.

Pt Ravishankar Shukla University Vice Chancellor Prof Keshari Lal Verma gave the keynote address.