Tata Steel announces the 7th edition of Samvaad Tribal Conclave

~ The first-ever digital conclave will witness intense discussions, film screenings, cultural performances, and more ~

Samvaad, a one-of-its-kind ecosystem for tribal identity, organised by Tata Steel Foundation, is back in 2020 with the seventh edition of its annual conclave scheduled on November 15-19 and will take the conversations and celebrations onto digital platforms this year.

The Samvaad ecosystem has brought together more than 30,000 people from 117 tribes across 27 states of India and 18 countries in the last six years, and is also an event that the tribal community keenly look forward to each year. The theme for this year is ‘Coming Together for Social Change’, representing a belief that there are inherent aspects of tribalism that places seamlessness as a core value of society, and valuable lessons in wonderful stories of tribal communities coming together to positively influence their core development challenges.

Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, said: “Samvaad, over the years, has emerged as a promising platform that seeks to revive, preserve and promote tribal culture. We are proud to be a part of this endeavour which encapsulates tribal identity in many forms and expressions and celebrates the rich history & treasure trove of culture, music, wisdom and folklore that is integral to the tribal way of life. On behalf of the Tata Steel family, I welcome all the dignitaries, participants and the tribal community to join us in the 2020 edition and make it a success.”

“Samvaad is an effort centred around a core belief that the way of life of our tribes holds answers to some of the most vexing challenges of our time, and we therefore believe it is our responsibility to keep this journey of dialogue, celebration and contemplation going in these otherwise uncertain times. And we now bring you Samvaad 2020, in a format which remains online but is complemented by community led decentralised engagement points to converge more than 2,000 people from over 100 tribes of India and beyond. The theme for the year is particularly relevant in the altered paradigms that have evolved in the last six months, and will possibly continue in the near future,” said Sourav Roy, Chief, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Steel.

The Conclave will hear stories from across the country who will engage in experience sharing sessions in various areas that affect the communities and enrich the platform with their thoughts. The festival spread across five days will witness a cross-pollination of ideas among more than 1000 tribal women and men who are expected to join us online and celebrate the vibrant cultures of the different tribes. 

• Cinema lovers have a lot to look forward to as tribal films will be screened on the YouTube channel, followed by discussions with the filmmakers. Around 500 schoolchildren from Jamshedpur will attend the screenings. 

• Art enthusiasts will get a chance to attend master classes on Oraon, Sohrai, Saura, Gond, Warli and Rajwar Bhittichitra art forms, hosted by tribal artisans. Each day will conclude with cultural performances by celebrated artists like Guru Rewben from Manipur and Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland and cultural groups from tribes of Galo, Siddhi, Dandami Madia, Bhumij and others. 

• This year will also witness the release of a musical composition as a tribute to Birsa Munda. The composition is curated by Padma Shri Mukund Nayak (Kunjban) and the Samvaad musical collective, Rhythms of the Earth.

Samvaad, an ecosystem for tribal communities across India (and beyond), was founded in 2014. The Tribal Conclave commemorates the birth anniversary of iconic tribal leader Birsa Munda, as well as the Foundation Day of the State of Jharkhand.

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes per annum. It is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world. The group (excluding SEA operations) recorded a consolidated turnover of US $19.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2020.

A Great Place to Work-Certified^TM organisation, Tata Steel Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 65,000.

Tata Steel was recognised as DJSI steel sector leader in 2018 and has ranked fourth in the steel sector in 2019. Besides being a member of the worldsteel’s Climate Action Programme, Tata Steel has won several awards and recognitions including the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Kalinganagar Plant - a first in India, and Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17. The Company, ranked as India’s most valuable Metals & Mining brand by Brand Finance, received the ‘Honourable Mention’ at the National CSR Awards 2019, Steel Sustainability Champion 2019 by worldsteel, CII Greenco Star Performer Award 2019, ‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2020 from Ethisphere Institute, and Best Risk Management Framework & Systems Award (2020) by CNBC TV-18, among several others.

To know more, visit www.tatasteel.com and www.wealsomaketomorrow.com.

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About Tata Steel Foundation

Tata Steel Foundation (the Foundation), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel Limited, was incorporated on August 16, 2016 under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. The Foundation operates across 4,500 villages in the states of Jharkhand and Odisha through a 600-member team reaching over a million lives annually. The Foundation is focused upon co-creating solutions, with tribal and excluded communities, to address their development challenges. During this process of co- creation, the Foundation endeavours to develop and implement change models that are replicable at a national scale, enable significant and lasting betterment in the well-being of communities proximate to the Company’s operating locations and embed a societal perspective in key business decisions.

Disclaimer:

Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

Kulvin Suri

Chief, Corporate Communications-India & SEA

Tata Steel

E-mail: kulvinsuri@tatasteel.com