*Grand Celebration of World Tribal Day under the leadership of Smt. Pachipenta Santhakumari* *Grant statutory validity to GO-3; strictly implement the 1/70 Act, 5th Schedule provisions, and PESA Act* *Protect the land, forests, water, culture, and rights of Adivasis* * *– Issue identity cards and provide monthly pensions to Dhimsa artists* *

Alluri Sitarama Raju District, August 9:*

On the occasion of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (World Tribal Day), the 32nd anniversary celebrations were held grandly at Chaparai Waterfalls under the leadership of Smt. Pachipenta Santhakumari, Adivasi Congress State Observer and AP Congress Party State General Secretary. The event featured a cake-cutting ceremony with Dhimsa artists and performances of traditional Dhimsa dances.*

*Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Santhakumari stated that it is the responsibility of governments to protect the land, forests, water, culture, traditions, and livelihood rights of Adivasis. She demanded that the 5th Schedule, PESA Act, and 1/70 Act—guaranteed by the Constitution—be strictly implemented at the ground level rather than remaining confined to paper.*  *Grant Legal Validity to GO 3*
*Shanthakumari demanded the immediate fulfillment of the promise made by Chief Minister Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu during the elections to grant legal validity to GO No. 3, thereby ensuring justice for unemployed tribal individuals and tribal employees.*
*She urged that special safeguards be provided in the fields of education and employment, keeping the future of tribal youth in mind. She advised the state government not to go back on its word, not to waver from its stance, and not to deceive the tribal people.*
*Withdraw GOs 51, 13, and 2* *She demanded the immediate halting of projects—such as hydropower and pumped storage schemes—undertaken within the 5th Schedule areas that are detrimental to tribal interests.*
*She urged the government to review the projects associated with GOs 51, 13, and 2 and to withdraw decisions that harm the tribal way of life, forests, and the environment. She emphasized that no projects should be advanced by disregarding the views of Gram Sabhas or the rights of tribal people.*  *Recognition and Pensions for Dhimsa Artists*

*Shanthakumari urged the government to issue special recognition cards to Dhimsa artists, who preserve and pass on Adivasi culture and traditions to future generations.*
*On behalf of the Congress party, she demanded the sanction of a monthly pension through the ITDA to ensure financial security for the artists. She also suggested implementing special cultural preservation programs to prevent Adivasi art forms and traditional dances from fading away.*
*Education and Employment for Adivasi Youth*
*Shanthakumari called for the formulation of a special action plan to enhance opportunities for quality education, higher education, skill training, government jobs, and local employment in tribal areas.*
*She emphasized that development programs should be undertaken while safeguarding the livelihoods of Adivasis who depend on forests, land, and water resources.*  She emphasized that development achieved without safeguarding Adivasi rights is not true development.
The Congress party's struggle will continue.
Shanthakumari stated that the Congress party will constantly fight on behalf of the people to protect Adivasi rights, constitutional safeguards, rights to land, forests, and water, as well as to ensure education, employment, and the preservation of culture.

She made it clear that the Congress party will continue its struggle until legal validity is granted to GO-3, the 1/70 Act is strictly implemented, Fifth Schedule and PESA rights are safeguarded, and protection is ensured for Adivasi lands, forests, and water resources.
"Protecting Adivasi rights is our goal; safeguarding the future of Adivasis is our responsibility," Shanthakumari declared.
AP Congress PCC Delegate Member Pachipenta Chinnaswamy, Kisan Congress District President Pangi Gangadhar, Dhimsa artists, Congress party leaders and activists, Adivasis, and members of the public participated in this program.