Garvita Odia
Bhubaneswar: The State-Level Adivasi Mela 2026 successfully concluded at the Adivasi Mela Ground, Unit-I, Bhubaneswar, after an impressive 11-day run. The event attracted a massive public turnout of over 10 lakh visitors and generated more than Rs 4.22 crore in business. At the valedictory ceremony, the Hon’ble Minister for STSC Development, Minority and Backward Classes Welfare, Shri Nityananda Gond, highlighted the success of the mela and reiterated the State Government’s commitment to tribal development in collaboration with the Central Government.During the valedictory evening, the research journal “Banaja” was formally released, and the annual souvenir “Pahacha 2026” from the SC & ST Development Department Cultural Council was unveiled by the chief guest. Ten successful tribal farmers and skilled artisans were honoured, along with awards for the three best traditional tribal huts—Kutia Kandha Ghar, Juang Mand Ghar, and Pahadia Kharia Ghar—and three tribal micro-enterprises, including Sunayana SHG, Sukanya SHG, and Mahalaxmi Women’s Savings Committee.
The Adivasi Mela was organised under the patronage of the STSC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department by the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture, Bhubaneswar. The event featured tribal villages, haats, art and craft exhibitions, food courts, a special stall about the upcoming census, and a stall by the District Legal Services Authority.
