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Aadi Mahotsav 2025

The President of India inaugurates Aadi Mahotsav 2025

President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the significance of Aadi Mahotsav in empowering tribal artisans and entrepreneurs

The President of India inaugurates Aadi Mahotsav 2025

New Delhi: Aadi Mahotsav 2025, the flagship initiative of the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, was inaugurated on Sunday by President of India Droupadi Murmu at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi. Organised from 16 to 24 February 2025, this vibrant festival celebrates India’s rich tribal heritage, culture, arts, crafts, cuisine and commerce.

 

Aadi Mahotsav 2025 brings together over 600 tribal artisans from more than 30 states and union territories, 500 performing artists showcasing tribal dance forms, and 25 tribal food stalls presenting indigenous cuisines from different regions. The inaugural ceremony featured captivating performances by tribal artists, including Chhau Dance from Jharkhand, Kalbelia Dance from Rajasthan, Gaur Mariya Dance from Chhattisgarh, Siddhi Dhamal Dance from Gujarat and Angi Ger Dance from Rajasthan.

 

Speaking on the occasion, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the significance of Aadi Mahotsav in empowering tribal artisans and entrepreneurs. She said that over the past ten years, several effective steps have been taken for the overall development of tribal communities. Special attention to the development of tribal society is essential because the true progress of the country depends on the progress of tribal communities.

 

She highlighted the importance of education in the development of any society and noted that around 1.25 lakh tribal children are receiving school education through more than 470 Eklavya model residential schools in the country. She described Aadi Mahotsav as a key event for showcasing and promoting tribal heritage, providing a valuable platform for tribal entrepreneurs, craftsmen and artists to connect with the market.

 

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, transformative initiatives have been launched for the holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The PM-JANMAN Abhiyan, launched in 2023 with a budget of ₹24,000 crore, ensures doorstep delivery of essential services. The Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, launched on 2 October 2024 with a budget of ₹80,000 crore, focuses on connecting 63,000 tribal villages to roads and mobile networks, providing permanent housing to tribal families, and ensuring that tribal citizens benefit from government welfare schemes.

 

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram commended the festival, describing it as a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of tribal communities. He highlighted opportunities for visitors to experience live painting sessions and interact with artisans who have been meticulously selected.

 

Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey highlighted the festival’s economic impact, stating that Aadi Mahotsav strengthens the livelihoods of tribal artisans by providing access to national and international markets. He reaffirmed the commitment to expanding opportunities for tribal entrepreneurs.

 

Aadi Mahotsav 2025 features a display of the Republic Day 2025 Best Tableau Award among all ministries by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, live painting sessions by tribal artisans, and collaborations with 20 public sector undertakings and 35 training institutes. More than 25 memorandums of understanding are being signed with design institutes and corporate houses, and state and international pavilions are showcasing unique tribal crafts. The festival includes brand integration on eight major e-commerce platforms, delegations from Sri Lanka and Indonesia, and agreements with IFCA for digital onboarding of tribal culinary items, NEST for capacity building in Eklavya model residential schools and HPMC for value addition to minor forest products like Mahua.

 

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Basuri Swaraj, MP from Delhi, Vibhu Nayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ashish Chatterjee, Managing Director of TRIFED, senior officers, tribal leaders, artisans and other distinguished guests.

 

Aadi Mahotsav is more than just a festival; it is a movement that fosters economic self-reliance, cultural preservation and social empowerment for India’s tribal communities. By bridging tradition with modernity, the event ensures that the invaluable contributions of tribal India are recognised, respected and celebrated globally.

 

With this vision, President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to all citizens on the occasion of Aadi Mahotsav 2025 and Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.

 

BI Bureau