Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that tribal Gond Tourist Circle of Gond era states with Ramnagar as focal point will be developed. He said that tribal culture is symbol of happiness and love. It signifies interaction, delight and bliss. The state government is committed to preserving and promoting this culture. Happiness Ministry will be constituted in the state to nurture tribal culture. The Chief Minister announced this while inaugurating two-day ‘Adi Utsav’ at Ramnagar in Mandla district on Sunday.
The Chief Minister said that memories of Gond kings need to be preserved. Welfare schemes in the name of Gond king Shankar Shah will be introduced. Chouhan said that efforts would be made to make Mandla are centre of organic farming. He urged people to plant saplings on both banks of Narmada. Chouhan appealed to become partners in ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’. Under the campaign, sports and dance programmes will be held.
The Chief Minister announced Rs 1.22 crore for Kala Pahad road and Rs 65 lakh for drinking water arrangements. He said that temples built by Gond rulers will be renovated in accordance with tribal culture and Ghats constructed at Ramnagar. After survey, a stop dam will be constructed across Narmada river at Ramnagar. He announced Rs 11 thousand each from CM’s Discretionary Fund to 24 troupes taking part in ‘Adi Utsav’.
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Joel Uraon said that it is a challenging task for tribal people to conserve their culture while joining mainstream of development through education. ‘Adi Utsav’ will turn out to be milestone in preserving and promoting tribal culture, heritage, traditions and social system. MP Faggan Singh Kulaste said that ‘Adi Utsav’ will give a new identity to the district. MLA Pandit Singh Dhurve informed about local problems.
In front of Rai Bhagat Ki Kothi, the Chief Minister took ‘Mandar’ from tribal dancers, played it and danced to its tunes. The Chief Minister inspected an exhibition focusing on tribal culture and traditions at Moti Mahal. The Chief Minister lauded works undertaken with convergence of various schemes at Rai Bhagat Ki Kothi by Archaeology Department and district administration. The Chief Minister felicitated Sarpanchs and Secretaries of Gram Panchayat declared open defecation free. He also distributed cheques worth Rs 5.24 crore to livelihoods women’s groups.
