Six Fold Increase in Grant to Tribal Research Institutes Government of Indias Grant-in-Aid to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) increased by six times during the year 2014-15. The grant which was Rs. 274.41 lakhs in 2013-14 increased to Rs. 1641.00 lakhs during 2014-2015. During the first four months of the current financial year an amount of Rs.464.37 was released. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the scheme of Grant-in Aid to Tribal Research Institutes to extend financial assistance to strengthen them in the areas of research and documentation of tangible and intangible heritage and training and capacity building etc. The functions of the TRI, inter-alia, include to work as body of knowledge and research, to support evidence based policy, planning and legislations, capacity building, dissemination of information and creation of awareness etc. Research and Evaluation studies, organization of seminar and workshops, conducting training programmes, documentation of intangible heritage/arts and crafts of the tribal communities, strengthening of tribal museums, organizing exchange of visits by tribals, organisation of tribal festivals, encourage traditional tribal sports are the core activities identified for support under the scheme. Further, one of the objective of organising Tribal festivals is to tap the inherent talent of upcoming tribal folk artists, sports persons, etc and encourage their participation at national and international events. Samir/jk
