More than 50,000 people belonging to the Gond tribal community from across the country attended a three-day 11th All-India Gondwana Gond Mahasabha at the BTM Ground here that concluded on Monday.
The meet featured discussions on critical national issues and social, educational and cultural activities of the tribal community.
Jharsuguda MlA Naba Kishore Das joined the concluding ceremony as chief guest and said, “The Gond tribe through its traditions and culture has maintained a communion with nature. This holds paramount significance in these days when pollution and climate change have emerged as primary challenges for humanity”. The tribe's history has been marked with sacrifice and courage, he added.
Senior tribal leader Mahendra Naik said according to Government data, there are more than eight crore people belonging to the Gond community in 14 States. The conference brought more than 48 core and non-core Gond communities under a common platform.