Arjun Munda inaugurates the 4th EMRS National Cultural and Literary Fest and Kala Utsav- 2023, at Dehradun

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India]: Arjun Munda, the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, inaugurated the 4th EMRS National Cultural and Literary Fest and Kala Utsav-2023 in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The event, held on October 3, was organized by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and hosted by the Eklavya Vidyalaya Sangathan Samiti (EVSS), Uttarakhand at the Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun, read the Ministry of Tribal Affairs press release.

The Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Cultural Fest serves as a national platform for tribal students to showcase their hidden talents across various domains.

This year's four-day event, spanning from October 3 to October 6, features participation from over 2000 tribal students representing 22 different states.

The fest comprises more than 20 events, encompassing dance, music, quizzes, visual arts, and more. Various stalls representing different states have been set up to exhibit tribal cultural displays, read the press release.

Arjun Munda emphasized that events like these offer a unique opportunity for EMRS students and teachers to interact, gain insights into different cultures from across the country, and align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.'

He expressed, "I believe that such programmes will inspire you and give you a good opportunity to know about your own culture as well as the rich traditions of the tribal communities living in different corners of the country."

Pushkar Singh Dhami took the opportunity to showcase the diverse traditions and cultures of tribals in Uttarakhand, along with the various government schemes aimed at the welfare of Scheduled Tribes in the state.

During the inaugural ceremony, Dr Naval Jit Kapoor, Joint Secretary M/o Tribal Affairs and Commissioner, NESTS, provided insights into the EMRS scheme.
The inaugural ceremony featured captivating cultural performances by tribal communities of Uttarakhand and EMRS students.

The 'EMRS National Cultural Fest' is an eagerly anticipated annual event for tribal students studying in EMRSs. NESTS has been instrumental in operating EMRSs for Scheduled Tribes across India.

The EMRS Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, was revamped in 2018-19 to ensure that tribal students have access to quality education in remote tribal areas.