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'Alert' in Dangs as 'durbar' countdown begins

The entire Dangs district has been put on 'alert' for a week as the south Gujarat area holds the 'much-acclaimed Dangs durbar,' a three-day annual cultural extravaganza coinciding with the Holi festivities.

Forest Minister Kanjibhai Patel would inaugurate the durbar at the district headquarter town of Awha tomorrow where five tribal kings would be handed over their privy purses by the government.

An exhibition of local culture, tribal development schemes and forest environment would also be inaugurated on the occasion. The famous durbar mela would be organised in which a large number of tribals would take part.

Meanwhile, fragile peace prevailed in the district after communal violence had rocked the area recently. The administration had made elaborate security arrangements to check the simmering tension from exploding during the merrymaking, sources said.

As large numbers of migrant workers return home for the festival and liquor flows in this dry state during the week, even small incidents could easily escalate into a big problem, they said.

Additional police battalions have been deployed in Awha for the durbar. The battalions would fan out to sensitive villages in the district during Holi, they added.

Five tribal kings of Daher, Gadhvi, Linga, Pimpri and Vasurna would be presented with cheques worth Rs 1,59,350 as pension this year. The custom instituted by the British continues till today even though privy purses were abolished by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1971.

The erstwhile rulers would also be gifted clothes, turbans and shoes in the presence of a large audience.

For the tribals the occasion presents an opportunity to sing-dance and sell their wares. Besides, it is a place to look for brides and grooms.

A cheque of Rs 7.5 million would be handed over to the tribals under the 'Malki Plantation' scheme in which tribals grow teakwood and other forest products in their land. An amount of Rs 32.5 million had been earmarked under the scheme to be paid to over 650 tribals this year.

In another scheme 'Mafi Kaat', about 225 tribals were provided with teakwood worth Rs 22.5 million free of cost to build and repair their own houses.

Tribals could enjoy such facilities only once in 25 years.

UNI

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