Visakhapatnam: “We should appreciate the resilience of tribal people for maintaining and preserving their rich cultural heritage despite the geographical and other barriers confronting them,” said Andhra University Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. Nageswara Rao. Commemorating the World Tribal Day on Tuesday, the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy of Andhra University organised a sensitisation programme on “Scheduled Tribes: Issues and Perspe-ctives for Development.” Speaking on this occasion, Prof. Rao, who attended as the chief guest, said that the Scheduled Tribes are still lagging behind on all fronts and need to be brought into the mainstream development process.
AU Registrar Prof. V. Umamaheswara Rao lamented that still the majority of tribes are not having access to proper health and educational facilities and unconsciously find themselves excluded in the development process. AU College of Arts and Commerce principal and guest of honour, Prof. K. Gayatri Devi, stated that the civil servants belonging to the tribal groups need to be posted in important administrative positions in tribal areas to become partners in the development of tribes.
AU Executive Council member, Prof. M.Prasada Rao, felt that it is an appropriate time in the wake of the completion of two decades of the observance of “World Indigenous Day” to provide all the facilities to the tribal communities to realise inclusive development in real sense. Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy director, Dr P. Subba Rao, staff of the centre, hundreds of students and others were present.
Meanwhile, Prof. G. Nageswara Rao conducted surprise checks in the women’s hostel of the varsity in Maharanipeta of the city on Tuesday morning. Prof. Rao checked on the infrastructure and amenities provided to the girl students. He also observed the cooking methods at the hostel mess. Later, he interacted with the girl students and enquired about the lodging and boarding facilities at the hostel.
Prof. Rao directed the chief warden Prof. T. Sobhasri to submit a report over the renovation works needed at the hostel. He also asked the officials to clear the uprooted trees in the hostel premises and take the help of the engineering staff of the varsity prevent the roof leakages. Later, Prof. Rao visited the Telugu Department of the varsity. When Prof. Rao observed absenteeism of some professors and research scholars, he directed the principal to seek explanation from them.
