Tribes can teach a lot to urban populace: Vice President Naidu

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has disapproved of the attitude of those from the "urban mainstream" who believe that they have to teach the tribes to help them develop.Naidu said it is the tribals who have a lot to teach the urban populace and called for a model of development that preserves their special identity. Their culture is their identity , he said and stressed this culture needs to remain intact while drawing the tribals into the mainstream.

He was addressing the inaugural function of the National Tribal Festival 'Aadi Mahotsav' in New Delhi on Monday.  The vice president said any loss of tribal culture would be an irreparable loss to humanity. Observing that there are unique challenges in the field of tribal development, he said the government has always treated 'adivasis' with a special concern.The greatness of the tribes lies in the fact that they have managed to retain their primal and natural simplicity, he said and underlined that this quality gives their arts and crafts a timeless appeal.Taking note of the wide range of tribal handicrafts, The vice president emphasised the need to channelise the natural skills of tribals to promote and popularise their products and improve their sources of income.