CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: At the Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uike inaugurated the International Conference of the Previous Lok Manthan.
Three Padma Shri awardees—Ms. Yanu Lego, Lakshmi Kutti, and Arjun Singh Dhurve—were notably present at the conference and were honored by Minister Uike with shawls and mementos. Earlier, under the “One Tree in the Name of Mother” campaign, Union Minister Uike and J. Nandakumar planted two coconut trees as part of a coastal village exhibition.
Following this, Director Uike also inaugurated a five-day Tribal Healers’ Camp and Workshop. On this occasion, tribal communities from Assam and Mizoram honored Director Uike by draping him with a shawl. A booklet summarizing research abstracts was also released during the conference.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uike stated that tribal societies are worshippers of nature. He praised the Previous Lok Manthan, saying that it is a movement to awaken national consciousness.
In his address, he provided various examples from tribal society, including Lord Rama eating the false berries of Shabari, the Pandavas’ exile and their life among the tribal community, Bhima’s marriage to Hidimba, the birth of his son Ghatotkacha, the subsequent birth of his son Barbarika, and Barbarika’s valor, leading to his fame as Khatu Shyam. He also mentioned Chanakya living among the tribal community to take their help in seeking revenge against Emperor Ghananand and formulating strategies. Calling the Previous Lok Manthan inspirational, he urged all attendees to work towards making India a golden nation.
- Nandakumar, National Coordinator of Akhil Bharatiya Pragya Pravah, stated that India’s communication tradition runs from the West to the East, emphasizing that folklore represents originality. He expressed thoughts on the Sanatani contemporary perspective and provided important information about the Lok Manthan to be held in Bhagyanagar. Former Vice-Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, K.G. Suresh, spoke about the need to reach traditional medicine to more people and highlighted various scientific parameters of research.
