Kathua admin starts week long celebrations

Kathua: District Administration, Kathua Monday organised a programme here at Government Degree College for Women to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Iconic Tribal Freedom Fighter Birsa Munda being celebrated as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ across the country to acknowledge the contribution of the Tribal Community in India’s freedom struggle and in the development of the nation, besides making efforts to conserve and protect their art, culture and traditional knowledge.
Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rahul Yadav, while addressing the students, said the government is celebrating the first ever ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ to recognise the contribution of the tribal community. A week long programme featuring different activities like capacity building workshop on preparation of GPDP for elected PRIs from tribal communities, Tribal folk music, tribal exposure tours, paintings, speeches to glorify freedom fighters, visit to heritage sites, movie/ documentary screening have been planned under ‘Janjatiya Gourav Saptah’ from 15-22 November 2021.
Referring to the valor and sacrifices made by the members of Tribal Community, the DC said they have a long history of serving in the Indian armed forces wherein they have demonstrated their patriotism and love for the country. He said tribal communities in Jammu & Kashmir have distinct cultural identity and they are mostly associated with dairying activities relying chiefly on animal and sheep husbandry.
He directed concerned departments to impart awareness regarding various welfare schemes and other initiatives of the government amongst the tribal community. He also insisted on organising more such programmes in tribal concentrated areas of the district.
Earlier, the event unfolded with the highlighting of achievements made with regard to the tribal welfare in the district during the current financial year. Chief Planning Officer, Uttam Singh threw light on various schemes and programmes launched by the government for the welfare of the tribal community. He informed that the District Kathua has successfully conducted Tribal Migratory Population Survey recently wherein it was found that out of total population of 616,435, the tribal population accounts for 53,307 which comes out to be 8.6% of the total population of the district. He also disclosed that a Tribal Model Village is coming up at Badnota, Billawar and a tribal hostel is being established at Bani. He gave a detailed account of different scholarships schemes viz pre matric, post matric and other initiatives to aid the wards of tribals. He informed the gathering about the setting up of e-classroom projects in Macchedi and Duggain areas of the district.
During the programme, students belonging to Gujjar Bakkerwal community presented the folklores besides throwing light on the life of great tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda in India’s freedom struggle and also highlighting the cause of tribals.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner also gave away mementos to the members of the tribal community who have made remarkable and outstanding contributions in different fields.
ACD, ACR, CPO, DSWO, Warden, Gujjar & Bakerwal Hostel and members of tribal community were present on the occasion.