New Delhi celebrates World’s Indigenous Peoples Day jubilee

Aug 16, 2019

By Jose Kavi
Several tribal groups in India observed the silver jubilee of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with a three-day programme.

Tribal cultural groups from across India attended the major celebration August 9-11 in New Delhi. Delegates from neighbouring countries also participated.

India Indigenous Peoples and All Adivasis/Tribal Delhi-NCR organised the celebrations in collaboration with more than 50 tribal organisations and groups.

The celebration was to highlight tribal people’s distinct identity, culture, history, language on a common platform and bring awareness among tribal groups about constitutional provisions, rights, cultures, customs and practices.

It also helped tribal groups to assert their social, cultural and political rights and promote unity of cultures and communities.

The organisers say their communities have suffered “long-drawn injustices, exploitations, exclusions and unsustainable human actions that have irreparably damaged the earth.”

The three-day programme included a public meeting at Jantar Mantar on August 9, Adivasi cultural events and a panel discussion on the second day. Adivasi cultural procession, fashion show and cultural dance were the final day’s programme.

The last two days’ programmes were held at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

The United Nations General Assembly on December 23, 1994, passed a resolution to observe August 9 as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This was done to reaffirm the rights of indigenous peoples around the globe. --Matters India