Port Blair, Sept. 29: The Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), in association with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Govt. of India and Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram organised a Seminar cum Exhibition on “Tribal Heroes in India’s Freedom Struggle” on 28th September 2022.
During the inauguration the Chief Guest Dr.E.B.Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair congratulated the organisers for making this programme which is the need of hour. He has suggested for bringing out e-book as miniature of the exhibition and to circulate among the people for creating more awareness about the unsung Tribal Heroes of freedom struggle.
The president of the Seminar Dr. Hemant Kumar Sharma, Principal, JNRM has motivated the students to become more aware by knowing the tribal leaders and their sacrifice in the freedom struggle. The Special Guest Shri.Abhinav Prakash, APS to Chairperson, NCST, New Delhi has exhorted the students to become an ambassador for NCST. While addressing the gathering he has shared the NCST-GRAMS, a platform to raise the issues and problems faced by the Tribal Communities across India. The Guest of Honour Dr. Nilanjan Khatua, HoD, Anthropological Survey of India, Port Blair through powerpoint presentation underscored the contribution made by the tribal communities.
Ms.Sampatti Xalxo, State Joint Secretary, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Port Blair thanked all the freedom fighters because of whom we are living in the free India today. She has also underscored the contributions made by tribal community people like Tantiya Mama, Bheema Nayak, Tilka Majhi and Kaali Bai. Shri.Ram Kumar Singh, Prant Prachar Prasar Pramukh, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram described in detail about the pain taken by the communities in bringing freedom. Dr.A.Justin, former Head, Anthropological Survey of India mentioned freedom is a state of mind. He threw light on the role of different scholars from tribal communities for making India free from British rule. Ms.Jochibed Vincent, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of English, ANCOL has described in detail on the sacrifices made by the tribal people and their role for making free India.
Dr.Manju Nair, Associate Professor and Convener has coordinated and moderated the entire programme Earlier Dr.Vivek Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor and Convener welcomed the gathering and gave a brief note on the importance of this programme by highlighting the various tribes in Andaman and India. Dr K.Venkatesan, Assistant Professor and Convener proposed vote of thanks. Dr.Rashmi Janak and Ms.Shalini Resource Persons from Botany has served as Rapporteur. Altogether 250 participants participated in this programme. The dignitaries felicitated Ms. Techa, Great Andamanese Tribal Student who has passed NEET Examination recently. Ms. Techa has also shared her experience. The dignitaries were also released Vanbandhu Special Edition Journal themed on Contribution of Tribal Community in achieving Independence. A mini cultural programme comprising the Tribal Dance of Nicobar Community and Ranchi Community presented by the students of JNRM.