Tribal mat art is woven into Yoga Day
Context :
India will highlight the talent of its tribal artists on this Yoga Day in addition to boosting awareness of the advantages of yoga and meditation worldwide.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)
- Establishment: TRIFED was established in August 1987 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 by the Government of India.
- Mandate: TRIFED’s basic mandate is to bring about socio-economic development among tribal communities in India. It achieves this by institutionalizing the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected or cultivated by the tribes.
- Administrative Control: TRIFED operates as a national-level cooperative body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (formerly the Ministry of Welfare).
- Market Developer and Service Provider: TRIFED acts as a market developer and service provider for tribal communities. It focuses on developing and promoting the marketing of tribal products that form a significant part of the tribes’ income and livelihoods.
- Capacity Building: TRIFED’s approach involves the capacity building of tribal people. It conducts sensitization programs to raise awareness and imparts training to tribal communities, enabling them to undertake their activities more systematically and scientifically.
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs): TRIFED encourages the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) among tribal communities. SHGs help tribal individuals come together, pool resources, and undertake economic activities collectively, enhancing their bargaining power and livelihood prospects.
- Marketing Possibilities: TRIFED explores marketing possibilities for tribal products in both national and international markets. It identifies potential buyers, establishes market linkages, and promotes the sale of tribal products to ensure a sustainable income for tribal communities.
- Creating Brand Value: TRIFED focuses on creating a brand for tribal products. By promoting and enhancing the market value and recognition of these products, TRIFED aims to uplift the socio-economic status of tribal communities and facilitate a better livelihood for them.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): TRIFED implements a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP). This ensures that tribal collectors receive fair and remunerative prices for their forest produce, protecting their economic interests.
- VanDhan Program: TRIFED’s VanDhan program aims to establish Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) or tribal livelihood development centres. These centres provide facilities for the processing, value addition, and packaging of tribal products, enabling tribal communities to enhance their product quality and marketability.
- Forest Rights Act, 2006: TRIFED’s MSP for MFP and VanDhan program aligns with the provisions of “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Forest Rights Act, 2006).” This act recognizes and safeguards the rights of forest-dwelling communities, including tribal communities, over land and other natural resources.
International Yoga Day
- The ninth International Yoga Day is being observed by people all around the world with live festivities.
- International yoga day is observed on 21st June every year
- Over 180 countries’ representatives will attend the celebrations at the UN headquarters, which will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, it is expected that 250 million people would take part in the occasion, which will focus on the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “One Earth. One Future. One Family.”
How did the tribes get benefited from yoga day?
- Collaboration: For this project, the Ministry of Ayush is working with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). Through this alliance, a concerted campaign to promote yoga and aid indigenous craftsmen is made possible.
- Yoga mat procurement: TRIFED is buying 34,000 yoga mats solely from Indian tribal craftspeople. The purpose of these mats is to raise awareness of yoga and its advantages.
- Unique designs and motifs: Each yoga mat will have unique designs and motifs that reflect the tribal tribes’ cultural heritage. The rich diversity of Indian tribes will be displayed through these designs, which will reflect their myths, culture, and artistic past.
- Opportunities for tribal communities’ economies to grow: The project attempts to improve opportunities for tribal communities’ economies. The partnership gives tribal artists the chance to demonstrate their abilities and workmanship on a national level by purchasing yoga mats from them, so creating economic and employment options.
