• • The celebration of tribal ethos from nearly 40 tribes representing 20 states across India
• • Tribal Health Systems' to be the theme for this year’s edition
• • 1500 tribal artists, thought leaders, eminent personalities and activists to participate in the five-day conclave

Jamshedpur, November 15, 2016: Mr Koushik Chatterjee, Group Executive Director (Finance & Corporate), amidst a gala ceremony, inaugurated the third edition of ‘Samvaad 2016' today. Organised at Ganesh Puja Maidan in Jamshedpur, Samvaad is a pan-India Tribal conclave.  The central theme for the conclave is 'Tribal Health Systems'. Similar to previous editions, Samvaad will witness participation of various tribes from all across the country. The opening ceremony was attended by senior executives from Tata Steel and Group companies, among others. 
Samvaad will welcome a variety of tribes from all over the country to participate, discuss and deliberate on tribal culture, its heritage, survival strategies and its convergence with the modern and mainstream culture; it is an ideal platform for the tribal population to present their views and exchange ideas

Mr. Koushik Chatterjee, while addressing the gathering, said: “We care and respect the diversity, culture, history and practices of the tribal community. Samvaad aims to celebrate tribal life by providing a common platform to share experiences, views and issues that impact the tribal communities. This year the theme of Samvaad is Tribal Health System. There is a world of tribal life which is very pure and close to nature and as citizens of this country, the tribals have contributed for many centuries. We are very proud to say that over the last three years, Samvaad has become a big celebration and at Tata Steel we would like to continue to facilitate this dialogue.” 
    
While welcoming the delegates and the guests, Mr. Biren Bhuta, Chief CSR, Tata Steel said,” India has a huge tribal population. Their ethos, art & culture, traditions, and traditional healthcare systems have a rich legacy which is relevant even today. Due to inadequate efforts at preservation and propagation, the legacy is fading away. Tata Steel has always believed in inclusive growth and has endeavored to provide sustainability to the tribal community through education, employment, employability and by providing healthcare and other facilities.”  

The conclave will draw ethnic healers and ethno-botanists along with other experts who will be participating in panel discussions on Tribal Culture. Various topics ranging from ‘Anaemia and its solution’, ‘Tribal medicinal system’, ‘Capacity building for tribal healthcare’, ‘Tribals and their relationship with forest’ will be some of the absorbing topics of panel discussions.

Age-old medicines on which tribal communities still rely despite modern healthcare services can be seen during the conclave.  The same venue will erupt in multi-farious colours with evening cultural performances by tribal artistes, all five days, November 15-19. Adding to the excitement will be a handicraft exhibition-cum-sale that will showcase items crafted and sculpted by tribes from different parts of India.

On the lines of its past two editions, Samvaad 2016 will also feature sessions on `Tribals Perspective on Development’ at Tribal Culture Centre, Sonari. The open forum will attempt to capture voices of tribal communities, their problems, and strategies to counter them. 

Adding vibrant hues to the conclave, there will be a Tribal Fashion Show on November 19, 2016 with tribes donning their multi-colored traditional attire as showstoppers. This year, for the first time, Samvaad will stage a live performance of tribal fusion music. These tracks will later be presented on different forums.

Highlights of Day 1 of Samvaad:
November 15

• • Obeisance to Birsa Munda
• • 151 Nagaras in unison (Jharkhand and Odisha)
• • Dance Performances by:
• - Konyak (Nagaland)
• - Rathawa (Gujarat)
• - Kondareddi (Andhra Pradesh)
• - Dhurva (Odisha)
• - Munda (Jharkhand)
• • Haat 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Ganesh Puja Maidan, Kadma
• • Handicrafts exhibition
• • Display and sale of traditional medicines by tribal healers

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel Group stands among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 28 million tonnes per annum(MnTPA) and a turnover of US $17.69 billion in FY16. It is the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and commercial presence in over 50 countries. Established in 1907, the Group’s vision is to be the world steel industry benchmark in “Value Creation” and “Corporate Citizenship” through the excellence of its people, approach and overall conduct. Underpinning this vision is a performance culture committed to aspiration targets, safety and social responsibility, continuous improvement, openness and transparency. Having bagged the Deming Application Prize and Deming Grand Prize for continuous improvement in 2008 and 2012 respectively, Tata Steel has now been recognised as the global ‘Industry Leader’ in ‘Steel category’ by Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Besides being one of ‘worldsteel’s’ Climate Action members, it has also been awarded the CII ITC Sustainability Prize, the ‘Best-in-class Manufacturing’ by TIME Award, the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant,  among several others.