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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ranchi farmer, E S'bhum's ‘Lady Tarzan' to attend I-Day dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan
1 2 3 4 Ranchi: Two individuals from Jharkhand, a farmer from Ranchi's Bisa village, Ramdas Bedia, and Padma Shri award winner from East Singhbhum, Jamuna Tudu, popularly known as 'Lady Tarzan', will be among the attendees for the Independence Day dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 15, hosted by the President in New Delhi. Ramdas Bedia, a 44-year-old farmer from the Angara block, earned the honour by completing his home under the PM Awas Yojana (rural) ahead of schedule, within just four months, while the scheme's timeline allowed for 12 months. As a labourer and subsistence farmer, Bedia also benefited from MGNREGA, receiving Rs 18,000 alongside a Rs 1.2 lakh PMAY grant in March. The special invitation sparked celebrations across the village. "When I opened the letter from the President's office, I was speechless with joy. I never expected this," Bedia said. Angara BDO Jaipal Soy said, "Ramdas received Rs 1.20 lakh under PMAY-Gramin and other govt assistance. His determination to finish the house in just four months, far ahead of the 12-month target, shows how govt support can make a real difference when used with commitment." Bedia added, "Once I got the funds, I didn't want to delay. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When the Camera Clicked at the Worst Possible Time Read More Undo I wanted my family to have a strong roof before the rain comes." Meanwhile, 43-year-old environmental activist Jamuna Tudu from Chakulia has been similarly honoured. Since 1998, she has taken up initiatives from the grassroots to save Muturkham's forests, forming the Van Suraksha Samiti, and rallying village women against the timber mafia. Her lifelong stewardship of Jharkhand's wooded terrain earned her the Padma Shri in 2019. The invitation to dine at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 15 marks another milestone for her conservation campaign. Recalling her journey, Tudu said, "I grew up watching my father plant trees and teach the value of forests. When I came to Chakulia and saw the Muturkham forest neglected, I could not stay silent. In 1998, I gathered women from my village, and we formed a group to protect the trees. It was never easy, but the forest stands today because we refused to give up." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
SCZCC initiative: Fresh Lessons To Preserve Folk Dances, Step By Step
Nagpur: In a sunlit hall of the century-old Maharashtra Shikshan Mandal's school in Jabalpur, the rhythmic stomps of feet and the tinkle of ankle bells break the usual classroom silence. Young students sway with animated expressions, mimicking the moves of folk dance exponents standing before them. This is no ordinary lesson — it's a dance into the very soul of India's folk heritage. The South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, has launched a series of folk dance workshops under its 'School Connect' programme, aimed at giving school children a hands-on experience of India's rich performing arts traditions. The first workshop, held in Jabalpur from July 26 to 31, focused on two iconic but lesser-known dance forms — Rai and Panthi while the second being held at Dindori from August 1 to August 6 will teach Baiga Karma tribal dance. The Rai dance, rooted in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, is a celebratory dance performed traditionally by women of the Bedia community. With fast footwork, intricate spins, and vibrant expressions, Rai is often compared to Kathak for its technical finesse. It was once marginalised due to caste prejudices but is now being revived as a cultural gem of central India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Test Test Tabbola "Rai is not just a fast dance, it's an assertion of identity and joy. Every beat reflects resilience and celebration," says Santosh Pandey, a renowned Rai exponent from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, who is leading the workshop. "These children have never seen Rai before, and now they are dancing like naturals. That's the magic of cultural connection." Pandey, who has performed Rai on national platforms, is teaching the students not just steps, but also the meaning behind each movement — the grace in the wrists, the playful defiance in the eyes, and the rhythm that tells a thousand stories. Contrasting Rai's flamboyance is Panthi, the spiritual dance form of the Satnami community in Chhattisgarh. Performed traditionally to commemorate Guru Ghasidas Jayanti and other religious occasions, Panthi is a disciplined, soulful expression of faith and social harmony. Dancers often perform in circles, invoking a meditative trance-like rhythm with devotional songs. "This dance has been our community's prayer, resistance, and identity for generations," shares Dilip Banjare, an acclaimed Panthi artist from Bhilai. "To see students outside our region dance to Panthi is heartening. It means our stories will not fade." Banjare, who was associated with SCZCC for over a decade, believes such workshops not only help preserve the art form but also spread awareness of its deeper philosophy of equality and peace. A Cultural Movement In The Making Over 150 students from various schools in Jabalpur participated in the six-day workshop. The children learned directly from artists, many of whom spent a lifetime mastering and preserving these traditions. "Textbooks can only give context — but dance must be experienced," says Deepak Kulkarni, assistant director (programmes), SCZCC Nagpur, adding, "Through our School Connect programme, we want children to not only appreciate but also own their folk heritage." Padma Shri Artist Teaching Young Folks The workshop at Chadha village, Dindori (MP) from August 1 to 6 is focusing on Baiga Karma, a tribal dance form of the Baiga community. Padma Shri Arjun Singh Dhurve, a legendary Baiga artist who dedicated his life to the preservation of tribal identity through dance, is leading this workshop. "When children perform Baiga or Rai or Panthi, they don't just learn steps — they inherit centuries of wisdom, culture, and pride," says Dhurve. SCZCC plans to extend these workshops to schools across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — the states under its jurisdiction — in what could be the beginning of a cultural reawakening led by schoolchildren. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
