Traditional Dance and Community Meal Highlight the Celebrations
Yavatmal, Aug 2026 : World Tribal Day is an occasion to celebrate the ancient culture of indigenous communities, whose lives are deeply connected with water, forests and land, who regard nature as divine and preserve a tradition of self-respect despite the hardships of life. Marking the occasion, Yavatmal Guardian Minister Sanjay Rathod chose to go beyond a mere formal celebration and spent the entire day on Sunday with members of the tribal community at Indiranagar Kolam hamlet in Pimpiri Ejara village of Babhulgaon taluka.
Setting aside official protocol, the Guardian Minister sat on the ground and interacted directly with the residents. The initiative conveyed a message of dignity, social justice and inclusion to the marginalised community.
On reaching the village, Minister Rathod wore a traditional headgear decorated with peacock feathers and joined the tribal community in a traditional dance to the beat of drums. The scene reflected the removal of the distance between those in authority and the people.
At the village chavdi, he sought blessings from tribal deities and paid homage to prominent personalities including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, revolutionary Shamadada Kolam, Rani Durgavati and Veer Bapurao Shedmake.
He said that the tribal community's language, lifestyle based on water and forests, and nature-worshipping traditions represent the true roots of human civilisation. He made an emotional appeal to the younger generation to take pride in the Kolami language while also acquiring proficiency in Marathi and English to compete in the modern world.
Janata Darbar at Chavdi; Direct Orders to Administration
The Guardian Minister sat on the ground with villagers at the chavdi and listened to their concerns. He said that a separate allocation had been made through the District Planning Committee for the social, economic and educational development of the Kolam community.
Rather than merely offering assurances on pending issues, he issued immediate instructions to officials for their implementation. He directed the administration to expedite proposals for establishing a well-equipped study centre, library and direct bus services for school students.
He also instructed officials to approve proposals for special scholarships for higher education and overseas studies, water purification systems for clean drinking water, a community hall, cultural centre and cremation ground.
Rathod assured that financial assistance would be provided to women's self-help groups and village federations to promote local entrepreneurship and businesses. He also announced that a special personal assistant had been appointed to follow up on issues concerning the tribal hamlets.
Tehsildar Meera Pagore, along with Parag Pingle, Harihar Linganwar, Rajudas Jadhav, Gajanan Domale, Yashwant Pawar, Sanjay Hatgaonkar, Pradyumn Jawalkar, Akash Rathod, Sanjay Range, Sachin Mahalle, Nitin Pakhale, Lokesh Ingole, Darshana Ingole and several other office-bearers, villagers, women, youth and students attended the programme.
The programme was introduced by Sandeep Gade and conducted by Suresh Chincholkar.
Guardian Minister Washes Feet of Women Who Welcomed Him
After arriving at the hamlet, Guardian Minister Sanjay Rathod was traditionally welcomed outside each house. Some elderly women welcomed him by washing his feet. In a gesture of respect, Rathod reciprocated by washing the women's feet and paying tribute to them as mothers.
The emotional moment moved the women present, with some becoming visibly tearful.
As the minister proceeded towards the programme venue, an elderly village resident, Kaushal Mahadev Anjikar, performed a traditional tribal dance. She invited Rathod to join her, and the Guardian Minister enthusiastically participated in the dance.
Black Tea, Bhakri and a Message of Social Unity
Serving black tea to guests is a traditional practice in tribal culture. Guardian Minister Sanjay Rathod joined the community at the chavdi and enjoyed black tea with the residents.
Later, during a community meal, he sat on the ground alongside villagers and officials and shared a traditional meal of zunka-bhakri. The gesture became a symbol of social unity and fraternity.
During the programme, meritorious students and their parents were felicitated. Bhajan materials were distributed to the women's bhajan group, while cricket kits were presented to local young players to encourage their sporting talent.
A large number of public representatives, villagers and women from various sections witnessed the occasion.
The programme conveyed a strong message that social justice and inclusive development acquire true meaning when those in positions of authority personally reach out to marginalised communities and stand at their doorstep.
