Telangana State Panchayat Raj and Rural Development and Child Welfare Minister Dr Dasari Anasuya Seethakka stated that real development is the development of tribal people, during the two-day international conference on “Tribal Livelihood Practices: Issues and Strategies in Empowerment” organised by Dr BR Ambedkar University on Thursday.
The Minister said that she is proud to be a tribal child. Adivasis are a race that does not trouble anyone. It is said that the tribals have been fighting for their self-respect and the fight is still going on. Intellectuals on the solution and empowerment of tribals should hold such conferences and give suggestions to the governments for the solution of the problems, discuss with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and work for the solution of the problems of the tribals.
The Minister also expressed her concern that the society has been developing in one direction for the last few decades and the rural areas, especially the tribal areas, have not progressed much. Along with the governments, many corporate organisations are also coming forward for the programmes undertaken by their government, which is a welcome development. She called upon the society to focus on the enrichment of forests in the State, especially in the Agency area.
Delivering the key note address, former Dean of Central University of Hyderabad, Acharya G Haragopal, stated that he visited the tribal villages to solve the problems that arise from time to time. He expressed concern that in any development model, Adivasis are left behind. There is always a conflict between the interests of the governments and the tribals, where the losers are the tribals.
Tribal struggles arose with the entry of the East India Company, which encroached upon the forest areas with the agenda of laying railway lines. Exploitation of resources leads to conflict. In the name of development, the adivasis are being displaced and the rulers should have the idea of making them partners in the development.
Real development is welfare of tribals: Minister Seethakka
