Tribal Museum ready for inauguration in Bhadrachalam

Bhadrachalam: Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Bhadrachalam is developing the existing tribal museum to elevate tribal culture and traditions to the outside society. Renovation works are going on at a brisk pace and the officials are planning to inaugurate it by Tribal Minister Satyavathi Rathode and Tribal Department Commissioner in near future.

The existing tribal museum is in a small space on the ITDA premises. There was a huge exposure to tribal culture in 1984 in Bhadrachalam and the then government had established 'Tribal culture and research training institute' in Yetapaka village and appointed about 25 staff. Later, all the staff was shifted to Hyderabad and the museum was shifted to ITDA premises and set up in small area. Since then, tribal associations have been demanding to set up the museum in a big way.

ITDA Project Officer Potru Gowtham had decided to give priority to tribal museum and submitted proposals for renovation. Rs 10 lakh was sanctioned to renovate the museum and works are going on by encouraging the local talent.

Tribal Welfare Deputy Director SK Zaheeruddin said that they were renovating the tribal museum at Youth Training Centre building at ITDA office premises. The museum showcases the living style of tribal people and the items they used, their traditions and how they lived earlier and now, he added.

But, the tribal associations were demanding the government to construct the tribal museum near flood bank and temple as lakhs of devotees, who will visit the temple, will have chance to know the tribal culture and traditions. Sonde Veeraiah, tribal association leader, alleged that the government had set up tribal museum in Hyderabad by spending Rs 1.50 crore but going back to set up a museum in a big way where the real tribals lives.