Friday, January 29, 2010

Naveen acclaims Dongria Kondh shawl at Adivasi Mela

The Pioneer, Jan 29, 2010
PNS, Bhubaneswar

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was amazed to see the craftsmanship of the Dongria Kondhs of the Niyamgiri Hills. After putting on the excusive ethnic shawl of this Primitive Tribes Group (PTG) at the ongoing Adivasi Mela here on Wednesday, he lauded their artistic approach and designs.

The Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation of Odisha Limited (TDCCOL) launched the shawls to the market from Thursday.

Patnaik said he knows about the lifestyle of the Dongaria Kondhs of Niyamgiri Hills, where they leisurely knit the embroidery shawls. The local name of the shawl is Kapadagand, which is the main cloth of the tribal men and women, said Principal Secretary of the Department of ST & SC Development Ashok Kumar Tripathy. The Chief Minister was happy to learn about the turnaround story of the TDCCOL, which is back to pink health from its moribund status, said its Managing Director Pusazhule Mekro.

Patnaik was received by Project Director of the Odisha Tribal Empowerment & Livelihood Programme (OTELP) Susanta Nanda at the stall, where the Chief Minister talked to the women who have been empowered by the initiative. The OTELP is organising the livelihood development programme in 30 most backward blocks of seven tribals-dominated districts.

Director of Tribal Research AB Ota briefed the Chief Minister about the fortnight-long tribal fair exclusively organised to showcase the tribal life style, products, culture and traditions. This is considered as the oldest and most colourful festival of tribal people, where all the 62 tribes people including 13 PTGs come to spread out their ethnic mosaic.

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