Tribal fair on the tenth day. A picture of the livelihood and empowerment of the tribe

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, various schemes and programs have been taken up by the government to bring the economically poor and marginalized tribals into the stream of progress. Achieving this goal has created a major challenge for the tribal people to find a way to make a living or earn a living.

That is why the government has been implementing two major programs for the welfare of the tribals in the tribal-dominated districts in the last few years. A scheme called Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Plus was first launched in Koraput and Malkangiri districts in 2011 and now includes eight other districts: Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh.

The program includes strengthening tribal skills, improving livelihoods and providing development funds. The plan aims to create a variety of products through the use of indigenous know-how among the tribals, to promote the non-agricultural sector for the livelihoods of the poor tribal families, and to partner with various government and private institutions and phachayatiraj institutions. Similarly, another scheme called 'Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Program' has been launched from 2017-18 to change the livelihoods of the tribals in the state.

The Agricultural Development Fund (IFAD) has extended a helping hand to the program. Sixteen micro-project development agencies have been set up for the 13 indigenous communities identified in the state and are operating in 12 districts. The success of these two programs, which are aimed at making a living, is reflected in this year's Adivasi Mela at the capital's Adivasi Exhibition Grounds.

With the financial support of these two programs, various developmental tribal development agencies have come up with interesting products made by them. Today is the tenth day of the Thula Tribal Fair. More spectators came to the fairgrounds in the afternoon than in the morning to buy their favorite household items. Some women were seen holding their baby in their arms and shopping at various stalls.