Ranchi, Jharkhand: Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar emphasized on Thursday that the term ‘Adivasi’ represents far more than just a word—it embodies a rich and vibrant culture. Speaking to reporters after attending a function at Ranchi Women’s College on the eve of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Governor highlighted the importance of preserving Adivasi traditions and customs.
“Adivasi is not just a word, it’s our culture. Forgetting our culture and tradition would be detrimental to both our society and our nation. We must actively work to preserve our heritage,” Governor Gangwar remarked.
He praised the tribal traditions, particularly noting the absence of dowry in tribal marriages. “I learned here that in tribal society, there is no practice of giving dowry in marriage. This is an admirable custom, and we should consider adopting such positive practices,” he added.
Addressing the gathering at Ranchi Women’s College, the Governor acknowledged the significant role tribal communities have played in Indian civilization since ancient times. “Their art, culture, folk literature, traditions, and customs are renowned globally,” he said.
Governor Gangwar noted that the tribal population makes up approximately 27 percent of Jharkhand’s over 3.28 crore population. The state is home to 32 types of Scheduled Tribes, including eight particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs).
He also highlighted the government’s efforts in running various welfare schemes aimed at the development of Scheduled Tribes, urging tribal communities to become more aware of these programs to fully benefit from them.
In his concluding remarks, the Governor stressed the importance of education among tribal communities. “Education is crucial for socio-economic progress. It is often said that ‘knowledge is power,’ so it is essential that everyone, whether boy or girl, is educated,” he stated.
