The two days workshop on “Protection, promotion and communication of tribal culture, heritage and rights in Jharkhandthrough community radio”was held at the project office of Alternative for India Development (AID) at Khunti on 20th and 21st Februry 2008.
The Chief Guest during this event was Mr. P. N. Surin, the ex-ADM and the Special Guest was Dr. Dhuni Soren from UK, the trustee of AID and champion of tribal cause. Also present were the tribal specialists fromdifferent fields ranging from the government to the academics and the social activists from the tribal regions of Jharkhand.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Dhuni Soren highlighted the rich culture and heritage of adivasis in Jharkhand but raised concern about the lack of attention towards preserving them despite Jharkhand being created as a separate state on the ground of tribal development. He expressed his interest to open such tribal cultural heritage center in the state to promote rich cultural and heritage of tribe for human enrichment and future generation.
Mr. P. N. Surin, stressed on the need for preserving and protecting tribal identity under the present threat of land encroachment in the name of development. He considered language to be the greatest carrier in one’s culture and gave importance to the ethnic society and religion that helped in binding the tribal since ages. He explained in details on the various tribal rights and self governance that has been legally being granted under CNT Act and PESA
Mr.Victor Kander, the retired engineer and the renowned academic spoke on the need to popularize the tribal culture and art though the community radio and make use of the audio-video as a tool of information for preserving the tribal’s identity through its language and culture.
Mr. Kalyan Nag, the social activist from the region and convener of Munda development and Action Committee stressed on the need to preserve the originality in the names that had been changed by the non-tribal officials from outside. He also expressed his concern regarding erosion of the tribal
Other guest speakers who expressed their views and shared their expertise were Mr. Poulus Oreya, Mr. Panda Munda, Mr. Bhuan Mohan Munda, Mr. Joseph Kerketta, Mr. Ramraj Singh and representatives of various NGOs and local forums and AID staff from Khunti, Ranchi, Singhbhum and Palamau Districts.
The second day show the feedback and response from the villages on Mundari radio program ‘Abua Disum Abua Raj’ followed by hard brain storming sessions through group discussion on topics like use of community radio in protection and promotion of tribal culture; promoting livelihood rights and participation and voice of tribes in policy making. Mr. Kalyan Nag, Mr. Alistaire Bodra, convener, Jungle Bachao Aandolan and Mr. Victor Kandir moderated the groups for developing strategy and future plan of action for protection and promotion of tribal culture and heritage.