Adivasi Mela to be hosted in hybrid form this year

The Samikhsya Bureau

BHUBANESWAR: The immensely popular annual Adivasi Mela – tribal fair – hosted here by the State Government, will be mounted both in physical and virtual modes this year in view of the ongoing pandemic.

The Social Media Plan (SMP) for the purpose was launched by Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra from Lokseba Bhawan on Wednesday in the presence of Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena and Principal Secretary of the department Ranjana Chopra.

Launching the SMP, the Chief Secretary said that as a positive response to the unprecedented pandemic, department has excellently planned the hybrid model.

Adivasi Mela is widely popular within and outside the State. This hybrid model will further widen its popularity by extending it to the persons who are unable to visit it physically, he pointed out.

“The virtual mode of the mela will have a marketing platform through which interested people can purchase the tribal products,’ he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Development Commissioner P K Jena said, “This canter stick endeavor of the department will give global linkage to Odisha tribal producers and artisans”.

Outlining the SMP, Principal Secretary Ranjana Chopra elaborated, “It will be a comprehensive plan with multiple components.

Dedicated handles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedln and YouTube have been created to reach out to more and more people.

The themes have been built around various tribes, their life and culture and their heritage”. She added.

“Various activities will be undertaken to engage the social media followers and keep them updated on the events of the Odisha Adivasi Mela 2021.

The cultural programme will be available on virtual mode. One can also have a virtual visit to Adivasi Museum through the Mela platform.

The Mela will also be held physically from January 26 to February 9 at the Adivasi Exhibition Ground located in Unit-1 area of Bhubaneswar, daily from 11 am to 7 pm.

All Covid-19 protocols would be followed scrupulously.

Online registration facility would be made available from January 23 through the website of the Adivasi Mela-2021 for convenience of the intending visitors.  Interested people may avail this facility and may register online for their smooth entry into the Mela Ground.