Tribal awards of MP announced

Bhopal, Aug 1 (UNI) Prominent social worker Rose Kerketta of Ranchi, tribal litterateur Finfam Si Nongkinrih of Meghalaya and Kerala's North Wayanad-based Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission have been selected for the tribal awards for 2008 announced by the Madhya Pradesh government.

The awards, instituted by the state government's Tribal Welfare department, carry Rs 2 lakh each and a citation, said Forest and Tribal Welfare Minister Vijay Shah while announcing the awards today.

The first Veerangana Rani Durgawati National Award-2008 would be bestowed on Mrs Rose Kerketta of Ranchi, Veer Shankar Shah-Raghunath Shah National Award to Mr Finfam Si Nongkinrih of Meghalaya and Thakkar Bapa National Award to Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission, North Wayanad, Kerala.

The Rani Durgawati award is given by the state government to a tribal lady on her contribution to creative tribal art forms, social work or outstanding achievement in administration.

Mrs Kerketta, an ideal for tribal communities, is par excellence social worker, educationist, linguist, apart from being a one-person army engaged in the revival and sustenance of tribal cultural traditions. She has been working dedicatedly to empower and enlighten tribals and undertaking efforts for their economic uplift.

Veer Shankar Shah- Raghunath Shah Award is meant for those who put in extraordinary contribution to long standing creative tribal literature and traditional tribal art forms.

Mr Finfam Si Nongkinrih of Meghalaya, who has been shortlisted for Veer Shankar Shah- Raghunath Shah award, has provided a huge horizon to tribal life and traditions through his writings. He has been making special efforts for the conservation and preservation of Khasi tribal dialect.

Thakkar Bapa Award is given for dedicated services to poor, victimised and totally backward tribal community. Kerala-based Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission has been working among tribals with a view to making them aware, forming their self-help groups and undertaking commendable works for their education, social and economic uplift.

A grand function would be organised in the state to honour the awardees, Mr Shah said.

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