Cyrus Mistry takes part in tribal conclave - Samvaad

The chairman of Tata Group Cyrus Mistry today took part in the four-day ongoing tribal conclave 'Samvaad,' organised by Tata Steel for the second consecutive year at the Gopal Maidan here.
The third day of the event was marked by panel discussions, cultural performances and handicrafts exhibition.
Speaking on the occasion, Mistry said "I am indeed very happy to be here at Samvaad, which has brought together more than 1,500 people from 35 tribes across 20 states of our country on a single platform to celebrate their unique identity and culture and discuss issues that confront them.
"It is with great pride that I spend this evening with you and I hope you enjoy the coming days," Mistry, who arrived in the steel city today morning, said.

The day began with panel discussions with eminent academicians brainstorming on - The Resurgent Tribal Literature.
Moderating the first session, Professor Esther Syiem, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, said "Tribal literature is making itself felt in the literary circuit. Tribals have a lot to offer to the rest of the country in terms of literature."

Talking on the state of tribal languages across the country, Dr Ivy Hansdak of Jamia Milia University, New Delhi, said "In tribal communities, there is a class of people that pose threat to the tribal languages. This class primarily comprises educated tribes that dissociate themselves from their indigenous languages after reaching prominent positions."

Taking the discussion further, Dr Lisa Lomdak of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, said "Words from mainstream languages have streamed in to tribal languages. This has complicated the work of linguistics, as they fail to record tribal languages in their purest forms."
The second session was moderated by Dr Bhagwandas Patel, Hony. Director, Adivasi Academy, Tejgarh, Gujarat.
In his address, Dr Patel said "Tribal literature that is centred around nature has its own distinct identity. Those involved in the translation of tribal folktales and narratives first need to understand the sentiments of tribes in order to project their lifestyle in a better way.