Adivasi Mela 2026 inaugurated in Bhubaneswar; Odisha CM urges tribals to be educated and aware of rights

OdishaChief Minister Mohan Majhi on Monday inaugurated the Adivasi Mela 2026 at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar and urged tribal communities across the state to become educated, informed, and aware of their rights, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to addressing their long-standing issues.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister said the state government has accorded top priority to understanding the challenges faced by tribal communities and finding effective solutions. Emphasising his personal connection with tribal issues, Majhi said no one understands the problems of tribals better than those who have experienced them firsthand.

“Our government has been making continuous efforts over the past one-and-a-half years to address these issues and work for the welfare of tribal communities,” he said.

CM Mohan Majhi highlighted the launch of the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana, stating that the scheme was introduced to provide financial assistance and improve livelihood opportunities for tribal people. “Our focus is to ensure financial support and sustainable livelihoods for tribals,” he added.

Promotion of Tribal Products

Majhi urged citizens to use and promote authentic products made by tribal artisans, which are on display at the Adivasi Mela. He said the fair recorded business worth Rs 9 crore last year and expressed confidence that the trade volume would surpass previous records this year.

Culture, Craft, and Recognition

Minister Nityananda Gond said the mela showcases a wide range of tribal products that are increasingly gaining demand in global markets. “Tribal culture and tradition are their identity, and this event aims to preserve and promote them. Cultural programmes from 30 districts of Odisha have been organised as part of the mela,” he said.

On the inaugural day, several tribal achievers were felicitated. Among them was Thakurdas Hansda, who received the Adivasi Pratibha Samman 2026. Sharing his experience, Hansda said his work focuses on tribal language preservation. He has authored 10 books in Santhali using the Ol Chiki script and completed over 10,000 translations using artificial intelligence at IIIT Hyderabad. He also noted that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has developed an application that converts English inputs into Santhali audio and script formats.

The Adivasi Mela will continue until February 5 and features a total of 109 stalls, including 94 Adivasi Haats and 10 Adivasi Gruhas.