Book released on life of tribal leader Birsa Munda
PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar and others while launching a book based on the life of Birsa Munda.
CANACONA
Stating that some world leaders were expecting India to break into smaller parts soon after Independence in 1947, PWD Minister Digamber Kamat said India’s rich traditional cultures have kept the country united.
Kamat was speaking as chief guest on the second day of the silver jubilee edition of Lokosthav-25 organised by Adarsh Yuva Sangh, Balram Education Society, Tribal Research Institute and Directorate of Arts and Culture, at Adarsh Gram in Amone-Poinguinim on Saturday.
“Some world leaders had expected Bharat to disintegrate soon after independence in 1947 due to different languages, regions and cultures, but instead their own countries got divided. Bharat is still the same as it was in 1947 because of India’s rich traditional cultures. The different traditional cultures have kept our country united and strong,” said Kamat.
“Having different states, languages and cultures has become a symbol of unity. Through folk-art festivals like this Lokotsav, folk cultures became a trend for unity.”
Earlier, Founder and Chairman (Vice-Chancellor) of The American University Global Peace (AUGP), USA, Madhu Krishan, presented Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar with the Human Excellence Award of Global Peace University, USA, in recognition of his social work.
A book on the life of ST leader Birsa Munda, which was published to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, was released on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Tawadkar said representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have participated in the festival.
“It is through their presence that I will introduce the true culture of Goa to the people of these states,” he said.
Former union health minister Dr Bharti Pawar, National President of BJP Scheduled Tribe wing Sameer Oraon also addressed the function.
Among those present at the event included leaders of different states, including Ramsingh Rathod, Vikas Makhan, and Dr K B Singh, Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson Laxuman Pagui, South Goa ZP Adhaksya Siddharth Gauns Desai, Poinguinim ZP Ajay Lolayekar, Poinguinim Sarpanch Savita Tawadkar, and Shristhal Sarpanch Sejal Gaonkar.
Those felicitated on the occasion included Capt Bobby Azmira, Adv O S Ramakrishnan, Maya P S, Mani T N, Vikas Gaunnekar, Pratima Naik, Chandrahas Desai, Dinkar Saluke, Narayan Payak Nevkar, Rajiv Samant and Mayur.
