Adiwasi seminar on CNT Act & Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace held at Banga

It was a day of attentive and participatory awareness program at Bangalore organized by All Bangalore Adivasi Association (ABAA).

The migrant workers at various levels in private firms and from different industries from Chotanagpur plateau (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chattishgarh, West Bengal) and North-Eastern States specially Assam participated in a day long seminar.

The program was graced by Mrs. Bibiana Bara, a tribal iron lady from Jharkhand who along with her late husband Francis set up Johnson School and an orphanage in South Bangalore. Mrs. Bibiana narrated about the noble work she started 36 years back.

Alma Grace Barla who has authored a book “Unsung Indigenous Heroins of India” delivered an inspiring and thoughtful session on history of tribes of Chotanagpur and the migrated tribes of Assam. She highlighted the current Issues at native and in cities specially the domestic workers in cities and the challenges. She also enumerated the reasons that make tribals migrate to cities and how they can unite to fight any challenges together.

Pawan Kuldip Kerketta also took the audience through the history of tribals in Chotanagpur specially the contributions of Jesuit missionaries in upliftment and Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act 1908 (CNT Act) and its relevance today. The government schemes for tribals were also discussed. The Law on the prevention of Sexual harassment of Women at work place was also elaborated. The sessions were put forth in the form of quiz to make it more participatory.

Fr. Martin Puthusery – Secretary at Commission for Migrants in Bangalore diocese, Fr. Jacob and other well-wishers were present in the program.