AHMEDABAD, INDIA, June 18, 2005: A special three-day mela (festival), called Sabri Kumbh to be held next year is expected to attract about five hundred thousand tribals. This is organized by the Rashtriya Sawamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The idea is to bring them to the mainstream Hindu culture by giving them social prominence. This three-day mela to be organized at Subir village in the Dangs district will be held during February 11, 12 and 13, 2006. ”The idea is to give these people a taste of Gauravpurna Jivan (“life full of respect”) allowed in Hindu culture. There should be an understanding that they are not treated as outsiders or untouchables. They are all Hindus. In fact, this is a culmination of the positive interest in these people by Hindus all over,” said Pravin Maniyar, the western region media head of RSS. When asked why the Dangs was chosen for the mela, he said: ”In Dangs, the Christian missionaries have faced a setback from the local populace after Vanwasi Kalyan Ashram started reconversion work there. Also of significance is the Sabrimata temple that symbolizes Ram being fed by a tribal with Lakshman alongside. The Kumbh will be in the lake near the temple.”
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