After independence, tribals were searching for their voice. Dr. Karthik Oraon became the voice of the tribals. Pankhraj Baba Kartik Oraon made tireless efforts to fight the battle for social justice along with educational and cultural upliftment of the entire tribal society. Akhil bhartiya adivasi vikas parishad (All India Tribal Development Council) regarding the thoughts, ideology and dreams of the tribals. It was established on 6 March 1968. At present it has branches in all the states of India.
Who is Kartik Oraon?
Kartik Oraon was born on 29 October in Gumla to Jabra Oraon and Birsi Oraon. After studying from Bihar College of Engineering, Patna, he did further studies from England. In 1959, the world’s largest automatic nuclear power station (Hinkley Power Station) was built and given to the British Government. Returned to India in 1961 on the request of Pandit Nehru. Appointed to the post of Superintendent Construction in HEC, Ranchi. Soon he became the Deputy Chief Engineer Designer of HEC. Became MP from Lohardaga thrice in 1967, 1971 and 1980. He died on 8 December 1981 after falling in the Parliament House and suffering heart failure.
What work did Kartik Oraon do for the tribals?
Due to the tireless efforts for the development and welfare of the tribals, “Tribal Sub Plan” came into existence for the tribals. Contribution in establishing Birsa Agricultural University in Ranchi. Due to his efforts, a temporary bench of Patna High Court was created in Ranchi in 1972, and a permanent bench was created in Ranchi in 1976. Karthik Oraon vehemently opposed the conversion of tribals. Went to High Court against conversion. During the Bhoodan Movement in 1968, Karthik Oraon had said that “The basis of existence of a tribal life is its land, if there is no land then even the tribals will not survive”. With his efforts, the land return of the tribals was achieved through the Land Return Act (During the bhoodan movement, land of many tribals was purchased at throwaway prices.)
Padaha system was revived by Dr. Karthik Oraon. So that the tribals (tribals of Chhotanapur) can resolve their disputes themselves. As a sequel to this, in 1968, Akhil bhartiya adivasi vikas parishad (“All India Tribal Development Council”) was established for the welfare and development of tribals. In 1981, when Karthik Oraon, as the chief guest at the national convention of the All India Tribal Development Council held at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, presented a proposal for the education of tribals in front of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Indira Gandhi gladly accepted it. The then Chief Minister of the state, Arjun Singh, who was present on the same stage, immediately gave an amount of Rs 2 lakh. He announced to give the marginal land of his state for the university. Which was later brought into the process in a legal manner. In the same conference, his proposal of land for the office of the Council in Delhi was immediately agreed to by the then Prime Minister. After this, a piece of land was allotted behind Dilli Haat.
All India Tribal Development Council has many objectives in which
- To effectively establish social and cultural relations among the tribal people of the country in every way and to promote and preserve tribal religion, culture, traditions and languages.
- Apart from this, to protect the rights, interests and privileges of tribals in the economic, social, and cultural fields. Opening of kindergarten, primary, secondary, higher secondary schools and all types of schools, colleges, nursing schools, tribal universities, libraries and social institutions for the education and social welfare of the tribals.
- Opening of primary health centers, hospitals, nursing homes, mobile hospitals in tribal areas. To provide proper assistance and relief to unemployed tribals. To preserve the growing cohesion of the States and Union Territories of the Republic of India, etc. Is major.
