On the occasion of Jharkhand Tribal Festival 2024, various artists got an opportunity to showcase their talent. Artists of painting and drawing from different states made a unique effort to show tribal life.

On this occasion, traditional folk painting of Santhal-Pargana, Jado Patia was seen. This art depicts the history of Jado society, their lifestyle and food habits. Eight artists associated with Jado Patia painting of Santhal-Pargana are participating in the tribal painting workshop cum exhibition. These include National Fellowship Awardee Neelam Neerad, Arpit Raj Neerad, Nitai Painter, Ganpati Painter, Dashrath Painter, Dayanand Painter, Jiyaram Painter etc. Dr. R.K. Neerad, the discoverer of Jado Patia painting, has given information about Jado Patia and Patkar painting to the artists.

Sohrai art has special significance in Jharkhandi culture. Sohrai art has played a special role in connecting humans with nature. Sohrai art is believed to have originated from Badam in Hazaribagh district. Bullu Imam and his family members have established it as a brand. Alka Imam gave importance to Sohrai art and conducted different experiments and is engaged in getting this art an international recognition. Alka Imam, Belangini Robert Maryam, Usha Panna and Pramila Kiran Lakra, who came from Hazaribagh, are giving the message of staying connected with nature to the human society through Sohrai art. They say that if nature remains, life will remain. In the Sohrai festival celebrated in the state, the skill of women's hands is especially visible on the walls of houses decorated with Desi Dudhi soil.

Madi Linda, who came from Shanti Niketan, is exhibiting her amazing art, which is known as "Jani Shikaar". It means "the hunt in which women participate." There has been a tradition of organizing "Jani-Shikar" every twelve years in the state of Jharkhand. This tradition reflects the glorious history of the Oraon tribe. This is also considered a symbol of the rise of women power in Jharkhand. Women like this picture a lot and are appreciating it.

About 55 artists related to fine arts have participated in this exhibition of Jharkhand Tribal Festival. They come from different tribal dominated areas of the country. These mainly include artists from Jharkhand's capital Ranchi and other districts, artists from Varanasi, artists from many states including Chhattisgarh. The arts of Jharkhand mainly include Sohrai, Kohbar, Jado Patia, Oraon Painting, Modern Art, Contemporary Painting, among others.

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Centre approves Rs 1639 Cr rail projects for Jharkhand

PNS

Ranchi

The Central Government has given a gift to Jharkhand. The Buramara-Chakulia rail project has been approved in the Cabinet meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. Rs 1639 crore will be spent on this rail project.

The 59.96 km long rail line will connect East Singhbhum, Jhargram and Mayurbanj (Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha). Also, passengers will get convenience in transportation. The completion of the rail line will also increase the carrying capacity of the railways.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved eight new rail projects including the Buramara-Chakulia rail project. Rs 24,657 crore will be spent on these eight rail projects. Under this, construction work related to rail projects will be done in seven States. The eight projects covering Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by 900 km. This will benefit 14 districts, 64 new stations and about 40 lakh people. It will be completed by 2030-31.

The projects are result of PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity which have been possible through integrated planning and will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services.

With these projects 64 New Stations will be constructed, providing enhancing connectivity to Six Aspirational Districts which is East Singhbum, Bhadadri, Kothagudem, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, approx. 510 villages and about 40 lakh population.

Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site will be connected to the Indian Railway Network facilitating a large number of tourists.

These are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as agriculture products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminium powder, granite, ballast, containers etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 143 Million Tonnes Per Annum  (MTPA).

The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (32.20 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (0.87 Million Tonnes) which is equivalent to plantation of 3.5 crore trees