The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh on November 26, 2024 marking the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda, a young freedom fighter and a tribal leader from the Munda tribe was born in 1875 at the village of Ulihatu in Ranchi district of Bengal Presidency – now in Khunti district of Jharkhand and died in 1900 in prison. During his lifetime, he actively raised his voices against British rule and fought for the liberation of the tribal groups.

The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is meant to observe the role of the tribal population in preserving India’s heritage and advancing its progress, and ultimately integrating them into the mainstream society.

Dr. Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NIScPR sharing his views on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas program organised by CSIR-NIScPR

The event was kick started after having brief introduction of Birsa Munda and its contribution in India’s struggle for freedom by Dr. Yogesh Suman, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NIScPR. He also highlighted the role of Government in raising the livelihood standards of tribal population around the country by bringing into light the missions of Indian government like CSIR Aroma Mission, Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan and Heeng Cultivation Project. 

Dr. Suman Ray, Principal Scientist of CSIR-NIScPR discussed about CSIR’s Aroma Mission and shared glimpses of study she and her team did to study socio-economic impact of this mission on tribal population. First, she discussed how this study was incepted and executed and then she discussed the findings of the study. The study found a profound effect of CSIR Aroma Mission on tribal population. She shown how new yielding cash cropvarieties were introduced to farmers, how training was done, installation of new distillation units and sampling of materials raises the income of farmers to two fold.She also found that subsequently farmers switched to these crops and covered around 60% of cultivable land and women were also empowered in due course.

Giving an example she shared a story of lemon grass cultivation in tribal areas of Annamalai Tiger Reserve in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu. Dr. Suman shared the statistics which showed the quality of oil and yield was increased after new varieties under Aroma Mission were introduced to these farmers. She also showcased a testimonial video of farmers admitting that the mission has helped them a lot in doubling their annual income. Dr. Suman through a video, depicted how other tribes in 37 clusters around the country benefitted 400 tribes with other cash crops such as Menthan, Rosagrass, Lavender, Wild Marigold etc.

During the interaction with the participants, other challenges that tribes are facing were also discussed like borewell and water scarcity, high cost of fertilizers and pesticides, limited number of distillation units, remote locations, lack of healthcare and education facilities.

The event concluded with remarks by Sh. R.K.S. Roushan, Controller of Administration, CSIR-NIScPR. He presented insightful aspects of the precursor about the basic need of technological interventions among the tribal communities. Dr. Yogesh Suman thanked all the speakers, Janjatiya Divas Celebration committee members Dr. Suman Ray and Dr. Manish Mohan Gore, Scientists at CSIR-NIScPR and all the participants for their active involvement in this event.

During the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebration, the pledge regarding the India’s Constitution Day was also taken by all the staff members of CSIR-NIScPR.

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NKR/KS

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