the goan I network
QUEPEM
Power Minister Nilesh Cabral has said the government should take the initiative to acquire barren land available and provide proper housing to the poor and needy SC/ST families through organizations like the Adivasi Sangatna Quepem.
The minister was addressing the 8th tribal festival organized by the Adivasi Sangatna Quepem in collaboration with the Directorate of Arts and Culture and Tribal Welfare Department on January 5 and 6 at the Government College in Quepem. A large crowd of locals from all over Goa and enthusiastic foreign tourists attended the tribal festival.
“There are many SC/ST families unable to have a proper house of their own due to soaring cost of land and building materials. Taking their plight in mind, the government should take initiatives to acquire any barren land available and provide proper housing to such families through organizations like Adivasi Sangatna Quepem,” said Cabral.
“The government wants to uplift the SC/ST community in all fields and youth must avail of various schemes and facilities especially designed for the SC/ST community.”
In his address, chairman of SC/ST Commission and former minister Prakash Velip said every individual from the SC/ST community should be proud of their identity without hesitation and humiliation.
“The SC/ST are indigenous communities of Goa and 10% of the Goa’s population belongs to SC/ST communities which is sizeable and cannot be overlooked by any government.”
“Taking advantage of government schemes, ST/SC children must be educated to the highest standards to shed the image of an uneducated and uncivilized community,” he added.
During the function, traditional games were conducted and traditional food was cooked and served to the people. There were also competition for making “Molla” from coconut palm leaves, making broom from coconut palm leaves straws, flower weaving and making coasters from straw.
A main attraction was weaving of straw mats made from thick straw grown along the banks of lakes. Another attraction was the herbal medicines stall where herbal medicines for various ailments were sold to people.
During the concluding function on Sunday, Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias said he has extended support to people from all fields, irrespective of their caste and creed.
Savitri Kavlekar, wife of Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar and Vice Principal of Govt. College, Quepem, Brijpal Singh Gahlot also spoke on the occasion.
