On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, 9 Aug 2025, Sevalaya Nilgiris celebrated the occasion at Bennai, Bitherkadu in The Nilgiris district. The celebration brought together members of the tribal community, government officials, and well-wishers to honour and promote indigenous culture and
traditions. Sudheer Kumar G, Forester, Bitherkadu Range, Gudalur and Maathan, Head, Adivasi Association, graced the occasion as Chief Guests. Rangers and staff from the Forest Department and tribal community leaders also participated in the event. Sevalaya Nilgiris, a registered non-profit society and Rajendran, a volunteer from Seva Bharathi, Bitherkadu made the arrangements for the event. The villagers played traditional musical instruments and delivered a colourful dance performance. A special cake was cut to mark the significance of the day. School bags were distributed to the tribal children by the Chief Guests. This was followed by a series of engaging traditional games and a medical camp sponsored by DTCC for the tribal community. Sudheer Kumar in his speech welcomed everyone present and wished the members of the tribal community on the occasion of World Tribal Day. He thanked Sevalaya Nilgiris for making the arrangements for the event. He emphasised the importance of celebrating Tribal Day by saying that tribal communities and the forests that they live in, are the backbone of the country. He said that people get clean air and water for their survival only because tribal communities have lived harmoniously in forests and protected it well. He also shared that many staff in his department in the past and present were from the tribal community. Maathan in his speech shared the importance of coming together and celebrating these occasions and thanked the authorities for their support to the tribal community. As part of the celebration, Sevalaya Nilgiris’ Mahatma Gandhi Hospital also organised a free lunch. 63 members from the tribal community benefitted through the free general medical camp and an eye camp. Earlier Priyadharshini S R, Liaison Officer, Sevalaya welcomed the gathering and spoke about 37 years of Sevalaya’s free service that are spread across 7 states and 55 centres in India, in the fields of education, health, welfare of underprivileged and rural development. Rajendran delivered the Vote of Thanks. Mementos were presented to the Chief Guests.