As part of its initiatives to preserve and promote tribal heritage, Tata Steel has decided to set up residential school for tribal students. TV Narendran, managing director, Tata Steel India and South East Asia on Tuesday said that the company will set up a residential school for tribal students.
Speaking on the occasion on the 110th birth anniversary of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, Narendran said, “Tata Steel has for over a century worked for the upliftment of tribals. It will continue to foster its ties with tribal communities. In the coming days, we will focus on tribal education. For this, we are looking forward to set up a residential school for tribal students”.
Tata Steel’s Tribal Cultural Society in association with ‘Guru Gomke’ Pandit Raghunath Murmu Academy celebrated the 110th birth anniversary of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the founder of Ol-Chiki script for Santhali language, at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Karandih
A 22-minute documentary on Pt. Raghunath Murmu’s life and his works in three languages–Santali, Hindi and English was released. After the screening of documentary, Narendran said that such films on tribal heroes give us rich insights to understand tribal culture and traditions. This was the major highlight of the event that included a host of cultural programmes. Troupes from Odisha and Bengal mesmerised the audience with their traditional dance performances.
The event proved to be a treat for theatre lovers. First, Jugi Tiryo, a Santali-based folktale play staged by Maidi’s Artist Association, regaled the audience, and then came a Santali play competition that showcased different aspects of tribal life. Artists from as many as seven teams from Jharkhand and Odisha were seen proving their mettle on the stage to win the competition.
Tata Steel also felicitated teachers and students from 150 Ol-Chiki centres for their efforts to promote the age-old tribal script. Tata Steel’s Tribal Cultural Society has been striving to promote and propagate tribal culture in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chattisgarh. Teaching tribal scripts and its promotion through publication of literature in tribal languages has been one of the key interventions of the society.