‘PESA’ Festival kicks off in Visakhapatnam to empower tribal communities

The two-day PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Festival began on December 23 in Visakhapatnam, aiming to strengthen tribal self-governance and raise public awareness about the PESA Act of 1996. The opening ceremony featured the highly anticipated ‘PESA Run’, which drew participants ranging from children to the elderly, with a significant turnout of enthusiastic tribal youth. The run symbolized support for empowering village councils, promoting participatory governance, and safeguarding tribal rights.

The event was inaugurated by Jyothi Surekha Vennam, an internationally acclaimed archer and Arjuna Award recipient, who hoisted the flag to mark the start. High-ranking officials, including Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj Mukta Shekhar, Andhra Pradesh State Institute of Rural Development - Panchayati Raj (APSIRD PR) Commissioner Mutyala Raju Revu, and several other Panchayati Raj and rural development leaders, attended the event.

Speakers at the festival highlighted the powers granted to tribal communities under the PESA Act. They explained that the law plays a vital role in empowering gram sabhas, preventing illegal land acquisition, protecting rights over minor forest produce, regulating natural resources, and preserving tribal customs and culture. The festival reinforced PESA’s role as a law ensuring true democracy in tribal regions.

Following the PESA Run, the festival officially commenced. Around 1,500 tribal athletes from 10 states participated in the celebrations. Competitions such as kabaddi and archery took place at the Port Stadium, while traditional tribal games like Seven Sticks Game, Gedi Daud (walking with sticks), and Mallakhamb attracted large audiences. Visitors also enjoyed 200 stalls showcasing tribal handicrafts and unique forest delicacies.

In the afternoon, tribal teams from various PESA states performed traditional games and sports, including Cholo, Ras Kashi, Uppanna Barelu, Pithool, Sikor, and Chakki Khel, reflecting the rich sports traditions of tribal communities.

The festival also included gram sabha meetings in 10 PESA village councils in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, where discussions focused on strengthening village governance, preventing illegal land occupation, regulating forest and mineral resources, managing water, and preserving tribal customs and cultural identity.

The two-day festival will conclude on Wednesday, with officials unveiling new portals and books dedicated to tribal development. The closing ceremony will also include awards for winners of various sports and traditional games.