Governor Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged the farmers, especially the tribal, to come forward in water conservation. The Governor was addressing people on the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples held at events organised by Phia Foundation and at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU). The World’s Indigenous Peoples day is observed on August 9, every year to front-up and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population.
The Governor said, “Due to plateau and forest tracts, much of the rainwater flows to ocean. If the rainwater is conserved in their fields, lakes, ponds and rivers water crisis can easily be addressed. Farmers the real custodian of the farmlands can play a big role in water conservation.”
The Governor also asked the farmers for adopting agriculture crops as per the nature of the soil which can be beneficial for them. The Governor asked the farmers to adopt scientific techniques in water conservation and adopting agriculture crops as per the soil nature. The first lady of State also asked the farmers to avail benefits of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MNREGA).
The Governor emphasised that development of each tribe should take place without discrimination. Empowering girl child and women will help in development of country in a faster way. There is a need for equal opportunity for education in tribal society and urged that every girl child should have access to this opportunity.
Earlier, speaking at BAU Governor Droupadi Murmu stressed on higher representation of indigenous people in the teaching fraternity of higher educational institutions. Despite the provision of reservation, number of faculty from this group is not satisfactory in the temples of higher learning. Educational institutions should guide, persuade and promote indigenous people for opting teaching and research career in universities, she said.
The Governor urged the scientists to pay special attention on skill development in the animal husbandry sector because this sector is a major source of employment and income generation for tribes. She said since BAU Vice Chancellor Dr RS Kureel has been a member of the National Education Policy Draft Committee, the interests of SC-ST communities, she hoped, will be well taken care of in education sector. She also laid the foundation stone of Tribal Agricultural Art and Culture Museum to be constructed on BAU campus.
On the occasion, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda also participated at a padyatra taken out from Rajendra Chowk Doranda. Arjun Munda along with his wife Meera Munda attired in tribal dress donning cap made of bamboo and flowers also met people warmly.
Former deputy Chief Minister and AJSU party leader Sudesh Mahto also participated at a function held at Jonha School ground. Mahto said, “The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is the occasion to protect and safeguard our language, culture, identity and environment.” The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was celebrated across the State with fervor with several political and non-political people and organizations taking part in events across the State.
Different tribal organizations under the banner of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, Kendriya Sarna Samiti, Adivasi Yuva Morcha and others took out a march from Sainik Market to Ranchi College auditorium celebrating the day.
A programme was also organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre Ranchi (RCR) in collaboration with the Department of Endangered Languages and Tribal Studies, Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) at the CUJ campus in Brambe, Ranchi. The programme was supervised by Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Regional Director, IGNCA, RCR and Prof. (Dr.) Rabindranath Sarma, Dean, Department of Tribal Studies, Central University of Jharkhand.