Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the National Aadi Mahotsav on 16 February, at Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where over 1,000 tribal artisans and artists, from across the country, will take part in the festival.

Announcing the grand event, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda
said that the Prime Minister will be giving an overview of the products which will be on display at various stalls and will engage with the artisans and the craftsmen from the tribal communities.

The Minister further said that the Tribal Affairs Ministry is making all out efforts to ensure full participation and involvement of the tribal communities, in realising Prime Minister’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

He also added that the emphasis on the organic production of products by the tribal communities can play a big role in combating the challenge of global warming.

Giving more details, the Minister said that an effort has been made to draw more and more artisans from remote areas, producing lesser known and unique items, to come and take part in Aadi Mahotsavs being organised across the country.

"The Aadi Mahotsav is a major platform to catapult the tribal products into national and international markets. TRIFED is engaging with top designers to ensure quality and contemporary designs in tribal products, at the same time maintaining their originality," the Minister added.

The festival — a flagship event of Tribal Co-Operative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) — will feature exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, handloom, paintings, jewellery, cane and bamboo, pottery, food and natural products, gifts and assortment, tribal cuisine and much more through 200 stalls, to showcase this.

More than 1,000 tribal artisans and artists from 28 states and union territories (UTs) will be participating in the festival. This includes tribal cooks from 19 states and UTs, for which, 20 food stalls are being set up. Millets have been an integral part of the diet of tribal communities.

Further, the United Nations, at the behest of the government of India, has declared 2023 the 'International Year of Millets'.

To commemorate this and create awareness and increase production and consumption of tribal millets, tribal artisans from across the country are invited to display and sell millet (Shree Anna) products and cuisines.

An exclusive pavilion for the sale and display of Van Dhan products is proposed to be put up. About 39 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras from 17 states and UTs are expected to participate in this Mahotsav.

The concept of organising Aadi Mahotsav in major cities has proved to be a boon for tribal artisans — by eliminating the middle men and providing direct access to large markets.

Arts and handicrafts

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