The ongoing traditional festival of Danda Nata in Kandhamal district will end on Maha Visuba Sankranti on Tuesday. Through the Danda Nata, the tribals of Kandhamal district pass some social messages. Manoj Mishra of child rights organisation Save the Children works at Phiringia block in the district to remove social evils like child marriage and child sexual harassment.
For such burning issues, Mishra contacted around 20 leaders of the Danda Nata to include such evils in their performances. The leaders also agreed to display boards against these social evils during their performance.
Social activist Chaturbhuj Mahakud said Chhatias came up with songs which described various issues of children and acts against children that are punishable under law.
Tribals and others living in remote areas having much faith on religious ceremonies like Danda Nata are easily accepting these messages.