Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, a major national platform celebrating India’s tribal heritage, craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, commenced at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi, bringing together diverse tribal communities, artisans and global partners in a vibrant showcase of culture, commerce and collaboration.
The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India. It was inaugurated by Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, in the presence of Dao Ngoc Dung, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Y Thong, Vice Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Vietnam.
The inaugural event was attended by senior officials including Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; M Rajamurugan, Managing Director, TRIFED; Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; and Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, along with tribal leaders, artisans and stakeholders from across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Jual Oram said the festival reflects the rich traditions, creativity and resilience of India’s tribal communities and serves as a vital platform for showcasing tribal art, crafts, handlooms, cuisine and enterprises. He emphasised that such initiatives play a critical role in strengthening market linkages and improving livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans and entrepreneurs.
Dao Ngoc Dung highlighted the deep cultural and economic ties between India and Vietnam, noting that the festival contributes to strengthening bilateral engagement and mutual understanding as the two countries mark a decade of partnership. He described such initiatives as important instruments for fostering cultural exchange and reinforcing long standing relationships.
Ranjana Chopra underlined the importance of promoting tribal craftsmanship and preserving traditional knowledge systems while expanding market access. She expressed confidence that the platform would enable artisans to achieve better commercial outcomes and greater visibility in national and global markets.
The festival features an extensive showcase of tribal diversity, with more than 200 curated stalls displaying handicrafts, handlooms and forest based products. Around 75 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras are participating to promote value added forest produce, while over 300 artisans are presenting traditional crafts from different regions of the country.
A significant attraction is the participation of 120 tribal cuisine exhibitors offering authentic regional dishes under the forest to plate concept, providing visitors with a comprehensive cultural and culinary experience. The festival also includes 17 live craft demonstrations by master artisans, allowing visitors to witness traditional techniques and processes firsthand.
Cultural performances form a major component of the event, with more than 400 tribal artists presenting traditional music and dance, creating an immersive environment that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of tribal India.
A key highlight of the festival is the launch of the RISA brand and the inauguration of the Signature Pavilion. The initiative, launched by Jual Oram in the presence of Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, along with other senior officials and designer Manish Tripathi, aims to integrate indigenous textiles with contemporary design.
Through the RISA platform, traditional textile forms such as Eri Silk and Muga Silk from Assam, Kotpad Cotton from Odisha, Changpa Pashmina from Ladakh and Toda Embroidery from Tamil Nadu are being reimagined for modern markets. This initiative is expected to create new commercial opportunities while preserving traditional craftsmanship.
The festival will also host the Bharat Tribes Business Conclave beginning March 19, 2026, which will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, designers and tribal enterprises to discuss innovation, market expansion and sustainable development in the tribal sector.
In addition, a Corporate Social Responsibility summit scheduled for March 24, 2026 will focus on building partnerships between corporate organisations and tribal enterprises to promote sustainable livelihoods and long term economic empowerment.
Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 will continue until March 30, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with tribal art, culture and enterprise in a comprehensive format. The event aims to enhance awareness of tribal heritage while creating sustainable income opportunities and strengthening the overall ecosystem for tribal development.
