Gadchiroli Aug. 24 (District Correspondent) The human rights of the tribal community and their culture should be protected. Their right to water-forest and land should remain intact. The distinct culture, identity, recognition of rights and authority, social existence, self-esteem of the tribals needs to be maintained and respected.
This assertion was made by the noted tribal litterateur and poet Vahru Sonwane from Nandurbar while speaking at a one-day lecture program organized by Tribal Research and Development Centre of the Gondwana University here the other day.
The topic was ‘Tribal Culture, History and Dialects’. The program was presided over by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Sriram Kawle. Registrar Dr. Anil Hirekhan, Coordinator of Tribal Research and Development Centre Vaibhav Masram and others were prominently present.
Mr. Sonwane further said that massive awareness and efforts are needed to be made to ensure that the identity of the tribals is preserved and their life, traditions, values are understood by others. While celebrating 75 years of independence the society should know that tribal women played an important role in the freedom struggle, he pointed out and highlighted the importance of tribal women by giving many examples.
Speaking from the chair, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Shriram Kawle said, the tribal community is situated in the forest. In real sense, the tribals have the knowledge of the forest and herbal medicines. They have been doing the work of and preserving the herbs in the forests. He always had a role to help others, he mentioned and said that every generation should take inspiration from their life.
Dr. Santosh Suradkar gave the introduction of the guest. Dr. Vaibhav Masram conducted the programme and Ms. Rajni Wadhai proposed the vote of thanks. All the statutory officers, teachers and non-teaching staff of the university and eminent citizens were present in this program.
Photo -Mr. Wahru Sonwane speaking at the programme as Dr. Shriram Kawle and others are seated.
