Medaram jatara arrangements reviewed

Medaram (Mulugu): The upcoming biennial Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma jatara scheduled to be held from February 5 to 8 next year would be grandeur, Minister for Tribal Welfare Satyavathi Rathod said. In a review meeting with the officials here on Wednesday, she said that despite the economic slowdown the State government had allocated Rs 75 crore for the conduct of jatara.

"The administration has identified works to be taken for the comfort of devotees. Parking lots for devotees and VIPs have been identified," she said. The authorities have plans to popularise the tribal fiesta by producing documentaries. The information about other places located near Medaram will also be spread for the devotees and tourists to visit, she stated.

Satyavathi said that Medaram would be made plastic free zone. Awareness in this regard would spread through sign boards and banners, she added. Calling for collective efforts among the all the State departments, she said that from here and onwards, a review meeting will be conducted every fortnight to monitor the progress of works in Medaram. The services of officials who worked during previous Medaram should be utilised so that to avoid any shortcomings in the conduct of jatara.

Referring to the importance of protecting the culture and traditions of the Adivasis, the minister told the officials to conduct the jatara so that it would attract the attention of nation. She directed the officials to make arrangements for the VIPs without causing any inconvenience to the devotees. She told them to take measures to avoid misuse of VIP passes. The minister directed the officials to put up LCD screens and posters besides pamphlets to guide the devotees. Sanitation and safety of devotees would be given paramount importance, she said.

The minister expressed unhappiness over the ITDA Project Officer Chakradhar Rao. She warned the officials to attend the review meeting fully prepared about the jatara.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Maloth Kavitha told the officials to invite UNESCO officials. A dossier should be prepared and presented to UNESCO officials for recognising the tribal fiesta as international festival. Mulugu District Collector C Narayana Reddy said that they have been chalking out a plan to regulate the traffic heading to Medaram. The safety of devotees especially at Jampannavagu stream would be given priority, he added.

"We have plans to attempt Guinness Book of World Records by setting up a facility for simultaneous hand washing of 10 lakh devotees," the Collector said. Superintendent of Police Sangram Singh mentioned that they are well prepared for the safety of devotees at the mega jatara.