Voices

  The Circle That Never Breaks: Why Tribal Marginalization Still Continues It has been more than a century—generation after generation—yet the tribal people of our country continue to live on the margins of development. Governments have spent enormous sums in the name of tribal upliftment. Schemes are launched, funds are allocated, reports are published. But if one stands in a tribal village today and compares it with the life of their grandparents or great-grandparents, the painful truth emerges: nothing has fundamentally changed. The grandfather was marginalized. The father remained marginalized. And the child, with all signs, is being prepared—slowly and silently—to inherit the same fate. The Evidence Lies in Everyday Life Despite the vocabulary of “development” floating around them, tribals continue to depend on the system for survival, not empowerment. Consider these everyday realities: 1. Education without elevation The schools exist, the teachers are paid, the child...

There are 14 tribes in Lathikata block of Sundargarh district in Odisha, which are named as: Bhuyan Bhumij Binjhia Gond Ho Juang Kharia Kisan/Kishan Kora Munda/Mundari Oraon/Oram Saora Santal Bathudi  Reference: Government of Odisha's official website: https://sundergarh.nic.in/tribal-communities/.

There are 705 officially recognized Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India as per the 2011 Census. These tribes are scattered across different states of India and have distinct cultures, languages, and traditions. Here are some references for more information on the tribes of India: It's worth noting that the number of tribes in India may be different depending on the criteria used to define and identify them. Additionally, there may be smaller or unrecognized tribes that are not included in the official count of Scheduled Tribes. Reference:  National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. (n.d.). Scheduled Tribes in India. Retrieved from https://ncst.nic.in/st-profiles/scheduled-tribes-india Census of India. (n.d.). Scheduled Tribes in India. Retrieved from https://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_india.pdf Ministry of Tribal Affairs. (n.d.). About Tribes. Retrieved from https://tribal.nic.in/about-tribes/ Cultural Survival. (n.d.). Indigenous Peoples in India. Retrieved from htt...

As per the official records of the Odisha government, there are 62 recognized tribes in the state. These tribes have distinct cultures, languages, and traditions, and are an integral part of the cultural heritage of Odisha. However, it's worth noting that there may be other smaller or unrecognized tribes in the state that are not included in this official count. Agaria Asur Baiga Banjara Bathudi Bhuiya Binjhia Birhor Bondo Chenchu Dal Dhelki Kharia Dongria Kondh Gond Hill Kharia Ho Juang Kandha Kandra Kanwar Kharia Khond Kisan Kolha Kondh Koya Kutia Kondh Lanjia Saora Lodha Mankidia Mirdha Munda Oraon Paraja Pentia Paudi Bhuyan Penga Poro Pradhan Saora Saura Savara Shabar Soura Tharua Turi Chakotia Bhunjia Didayi Hill Bhuyan Hill Saora Jatapu Matya Mundari Ojha Patra Rajuar Rautia Sankhaita Teli Bhottada Bhunjia Kamar Please note that this is an exhaustive list of all the tribes of Odisha, according to the official records of the state government. There may be other tribes or sub-g...

 Sundargarh district in Odisha is home to a significant number of tribal communities. As per the official records of the Odisha government, there are 13 tribes that are primarily concentrated in the Sundargarh district. These tribes are: Bhumij Bhuyan Binjhia Ho Kisan Kolha Munda Oraon Saora Santal Kharia Kora Birhor It's worth noting that there may be other smaller or unrecognized tribes in the Sundargarh district that are not included in this official count. Reference: Government of Odisha. (n.d.). Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development Department. Retrieved from https://stscodisha.gov.in/ Census of India. (n.d.). Scheduled Tribes in India. Retrieved from https://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_st_odisha.pdf

Sundargarh District is located in the northwestern part of the Indian state of Odisha. The district is home to a diverse range of tribes, each with their own unique culture, traditions, and way of life. Here is a brief description of some of the major tribes that are found in Sundargarh district of Odisha: Oraon: The Oraon tribe is one of the largest tribal communities in India, primarily found in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. They are known for their agriculture and use of herbal medicines. Munda: The Munda tribe is one of the largest tribes in Eastern India, primarily found in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. They are known for their distinctive dance and music traditions. Santal: The Santal tribe is one of the largest tribal communities in India, primarily found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. They have a rich culture and are known for their traditional music and dance. Kharia: The Kharia tribe is primarily found in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha....

Angul: 23.08.2017:   The  Global Fund   to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ( GFATM ) is an international financing organization that aims to "attract and disburse additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria." The Global Fund  is a financing mechanism rather than an implementing agency. (IMCP-3) Intensified Malaria Control Project-3 is one of the project supported by GFATM.  Today, 37 ASHA s were trained on Early Dignosis and Complete Treatment (EDCT) of Malaria at Godibandh Community Health Center, Angul under IMCP-3 which is supported by GFATM.  The said training was organised by National Vector Borne Disease Control programme (NVBDCP) and Sambalpur Social Service Society (SSSS), a Caritas India Consortium. One of our best contribution to this training was that we oriented the participants about  drug dose scheduled and use of ACT combination pack.  Many of them expressed that now they are mor...

LLIN Distribution at Talamandali, Kosala CHC, Angul Angul: GFATM supported programme Intensified Malaria Control Project-3 is actively implemented by the Government of India under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme and Caritas India New Delhi as Primary Recipients. It is throughout Odisha LLIN (Long Lasting Insecticide Net) is being distributed these days under the IMCP-3. Probably this distribution has started in the month of May 2017 and will continue till End of July 2017. It is believed that LLIN is one of the best tools for eliminating Malaria. In the effort towards malaria elimination Sambalpur Social Service Society is actively working in Angul, Sambalpur and Deogarh district and Lepra Society is working in Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Keunjhar district as Sub-Recipients. Malaria could be eradicated by two ways: 1. Prevention Method and 2. EDCT- Early Diagnoses and Complete Treatment Method: 1. Prevention Method: - It is rightly said that prevention is bet...

When Government is trying to protect and promote the culture and values of Tribals in India through various schemes and activities, but still somehow the number of non-tribals are increasing in the schedule areas. What could be the reason of increasing population of non-tribals in schedule area? Have any one thought about it? is it safe for tribal people? The 5th Scheduled Area means the tribal population is more than 50%. When non-tribals outnumbers the tribal people then all 5th schedule provision will be withdrawn from those areas. All those plan of Government to develop these tribals will be total waste. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/nontribals-rise-in-numbers-in-agency/article7826013.ece

Indigenous peoples across the world experience the consequences of historical colonization and invasion of their territories and face discrimination because of their distinct cultures, identities and ways of life. In recent decades, the international community has given special attention to the human rights situations of indigenous peoples, as shown by the adoption of international standards and guidelines, as well as by the establishment of institutions and bodies that specifically target these peoples’ concerns. The rights of indigenous peoples are further promoted by international and regional human rights mechanisms. By  resolution 49/214  of 23 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the W...

The Tribals/Adivasis/Indigenous people of India are/were never Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Budhists..etc. The fundamentalist forces say that they are Hindus by birth which is not true. Because the type of workshop these Tribals do is completely different than the Hindu religion. The Christian Missionaries said that they don't have religion which is not true. They have a peculiar and unique way of worship. They do not have structure form of worship. However, they perform their worship near river or springs, on the top or below the hills, in or near forest by offering water, milk, incenses, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, crops, cut animals or birds and try to satisfy God/gods/spirits by offering their blood, heads or heats..etc. The government of India calls them as Schedule Tribes and includes them in Hindu population in Census.

Bhubaneswar: 19/02/2015- A two days workshop was conducted on TSP by Indigenous People’s Forum – Odisha (IPFO) in collaboration with ISI New Delhi, OROSA Bhubaneswar, ANGANA Sundargarh and Samajik Seva Sadan Sundargarh under the banner ADIBASI DARBAR at Red Cross Bhubaneswar on 15th and 16th February 2015. The 17 number of different tribes out of 62 tribes had gathered together to express their views on the implementation of TSP after being enlightened by the imminent resource persons; Dr. Danzil D’suza from ISI New Delhi and Dr. Bipin Jojo from TISS Mumbai. After hearing from the participants who were a group of adivasi intellectuals from 17 different tribes of Odisha, the honorable guest of the day honorable Minister of state for commerce and transports department in government of Odisha shri Ramesh Chandra Majhi promised to schedule a date for a Tea Time Meeting with all Adibas MLAs of the state and IPFO members (representative of 62 tribes of Odisha) in the assembly hall short...

In schools we learnt that we plant trees for the grandchildren. It means we plant trees and our grandchildren enjoy the fruits, sheds, woods etc. That means we grow old and fed away and could not benefit from the recompense. So, the focus is on the grown up and old people. To this extend, the more the elder people work, the more “ changes” will take place in the future.                     But it is opposite in the development area we focus on the old and grown up people by giving a lot of trainings and instruction hoping that they will bring a change in the society. But in reality they are already old enough who starts journey towards their fading way. Thus, they could bear a little and the “ change” is being reduced. On the other hand, if we train and instruct the children and youths, they would bring much more change in the society, because they would be applying it in their day-today-life when they will be grown-up...

Fr. Ajay Kumar Singh, Mr. Dhirendra Panda and Dr. John Dayal The Tow Days Networking and Strategy Planning meetings of Selected Church Commissions of Odisha was organized at Kharvel Hotel, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar on 20th and 21st March 2014 by Odisha Forum for Social Action (OROSA). Around 52 participants throughout  Odisha had come for this meeting. Dr. John Dayal (an Indian journalist and civil rights activist who supports minorities such as Christians and Dalits), Mr. Dhirendra Panda (well known Human Right Defender of Odisha and Director of CSNR) and Fr. Ajay  Kumar Singh (A Prominent Human Rights Activist of Odisha and Director of OROSA) were the facilitators of the Day.   Several important issues, threat, challenges and opportunities of the development of Adivasi, Dalit, Minority, Women and Children were the center point of all discussion in the meeting. There were two group discussions on how to response to the rising RSS forces in our respective places and w...

As Christians we have The Bible and the following 10 major principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to guide us to be perfect followers of Christ: 1.       Dignity of the Human Person : This is typically the protection and promotion on human rights. Thus, every Christian has to promote and protect the rights the people especially the targeted groups whose rights are being violated every day. 2.   Common Good and Community: Everyone is entitled with some responsibilities for the good of the society. Some people have completely dedicated their lives for the service of the society. Others are partially dedicated for serving people. But all people have personal responsibility to serve for the common good in the community. 3.     Option for the Poor: When we serve the community we have to always look for the most poor, the neediest and the most marginalized people in the community and society. Very often we serve the society in the name ...

Bhubaneswar: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion visited Bhubaneswar on 21st Februbary 2014. The Special Rapporteur Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt met the various victim survivals from all over Odisha at Hotel Swasti Premium from morning 10.00 AM to 5. 00 PM. The main topic of sharing was the problem of how the right tribal, dalit, women, children and minority are being violated by some fundamentalist forces. There were many prominent community leaders and Civil Society leaders present in the gathering. From left: Fr. Ajay Kumar Singh (Director OFSA), Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt (UNSR), Mr. William Stanly (Chair Person) and Mr. Dhirendra Panda (Director CSNR) Some of the prominent leaders from left in the attached photo were: Fr. Ajay Kumar Singh (Director OFSA), Dr. Heiner Bielefeldt (UNSR), Mr. William Stanly (Chair Person) and Mr. Dhirendra Panda (Director CSNR). Mr. Jugal Kirshore Ranjit presented the issues of minority as a whole in the state of Odisha. Fr....

Bhubaneswar: There was two days state level workshop on Human Rights at Adhikar office, Bhubaneswar on 8th and 9th February 2014. There were about 60 participants who were youth from throughout Odisha. Mr. Sandeep Pattnayak a social activist and Humar Right Acitivist handle 1st day sessions. Mr. Chandranath Dani an Advocate and Human Rights Defender animated the second day sessions. Between the sessions Fr. Nicholas Barla and Fr. Ajay Kumar Singh gave encouraging talks for the youth. In the first day, the youths were taught about the history of Human Rights, International definition of Human Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR), Indian Constitutional provisions of Human Rights and the explanation of the Indian Preamble. In the afternoon there was group discussion where the youths came out with various Rights of  Adivasi, Dalit, Women and the rights of persons who are differently abled. On the second day, the youths learnt about the various duty bearers and s...