A translated collection of folk tales of the Bhil tribe from Madhya Pradesh will soon be available on the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' Adi Vaani website and app. This initiative aims to preserve and share the rich cultural heritage and oral traditions of the Bhil people, offering insights into their unique worldview, customs, and traditions.

About the Bhil Tribe:

The Bhil tribe is one of the oldest and most widely distributed tribal communities in India. They are considered to belong to the Dravidian racial group and are categorized under the Australoid tribal group.

Origins and Name:

• The name ‘Bhil’ is derived from the word ‘villu’ or ‘billu’, meaning bow in the Dravidian language, which reflects their traditional association with archery.

Occupation:

• Agriculture is the primary occupation of the Bhil tribe. While some Bhils use the slash-and-burn (jhum) method of cultivation, the majority employ the traditional plow method.

Language:

• The Bhil people speak Bhili, which is a blend of Gujarati and Marathi. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family.

Distribution of the Bhil Tribe:

• The central and eastern Bhils, also referred to as Rajput Bhils, are found in the mountainous regions of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

• They are also found in the northeastern parts of Tripura.

• The Bhils are one of the most widespread tribal communities in India.

Beliefs and Customs of the Bhil Tribe:

• Religious Practices:

  • The majority of the Bhil tribe practice ethnic religions, which have been heavily influenced by Hinduism over the centuries.

  • They worship local deities such as Khandoba, Kanhoba, Bahiroba, and Sitalmata.

  • Some Bhils also worship a Tiger God known as ‘Vaghdev’.

• Festivals:

  • The Baneshwar Fair is the most prominent festival among the Bhils. It is celebrated around the time of Shivratri and is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev, also known as Lord Shiva. The fair is a significant cultural event for the Bhil community.

The 28th Universal Postal Congress, the highest decision-making body of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), recently opened.

About Universal Postal Congress:

The Universal Postal Congress (UPC) is the supreme body responsible for decision-making within the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations specialized agency. It serves as the primary global forum for coordinating international postal policies, and facilitating cooperation between postal services around the world. Here’s an overview:

Establishment and Importance:

• Established: The UPU was created by the Treaty of Bern in 1874 and is the second-oldest international organization worldwide.

• Headquarters: The UPU is based in Bern, Switzerland.

• Role: It plays a pivotal role in the regulation and coordination of the global postal system, helping to ensure that mail, parcels, and financial services can be exchanged efficiently across borders.

Functions of Universal Postal Congress:

The Universal Postal Congress plays a key role in shaping the future of the international postal network:

1. Coordination of Postal Policies:

   • The Congress helps in harmonizing postal policies across different nations, ensuring that the global postal system operates seamlessly.

2. Setting Rules for International Mail Exchanges:

   • It establishes the rules and regulations that govern the exchange of international mail, parcels, and financial services. This helps ensure quality and efficiency in postal exchanges.

3. Stimulating Growth:

   • The Congress provides recommendations aimed at promoting growth in the volume of mail, parcels, and financial services. This includes improving the quality of services and encouraging better delivery systems.

Governance Structure of the UPU:

The UPU operates under a well-defined structure, ensuring effective governance and operations:

1. The Congress:

   • The Universal Postal Congress is the supreme authority of the UPU. It meets every four years and brings together representatives from all member countries to make decisions about the postal sector.

2. The Council of Administration:

   • This body ensures that the UPU’s work continues smoothly between Congresses. It supervises the activities of the UPU and addresses regulatory, administrative, legislative, and legal matters.

3. The Postal Operations Council:

   • This council is the technical and operational arm of the UPU. It consists of 48 member countries that are elected during the Congress. The council is responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of postal operations.

4. The International Bureau:

   • Serving as the secretariat of the UPU, the International Bureau provides logistical and technical support to the UPU’s bodies. It also assists in implementing the decisions made by Congress.

Member Countries of the Universal Postal Congress:

• Any UN member country can become a member of the UPU.

• Non-UN member countries can also join, provided their request is approved by at least two-thirds of the UPU’s member countries.

• The UPU currently consists of 192 member countries.

Significance of the Universal Postal Congress:

The Universal Postal Congress plays a crucial role in shaping the future of global postal systems. By convening representatives from around the world, it ensures that the postal services continue to evolve to meet the needs of the global economy, ensuring efficient international mail delivery, advancing technology, and addressing emerging issues such as e-commerce and digital communication.

The Langkhun Festival is a great example of the Tiwa tribe's deep connection to their land, culture, and spirituality. Celebrated in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam, this socio-religious festival shows how the community comes together to pray for a bountiful harvest in the upcoming Rabi season. The festival's blend of religious rituals with music, dance, and cultural events creates a unique atmosphere of community bonding and tradition.

Key Aspects of the Langkhun Festival:

• Spiritual Significance: At its core, the Langkhun festival is a prayer for a good crop. This demonstrates how the Tiwa tribe’s agricultural activities are central to their lives, with spiritual practices intertwined with their daily existence.

• Cultural Celebrations: The inclusion of music and dance enriches the event, making it not just a religious observance but also a vibrant display of Tiwa cultural identity. These performances likely carry deep symbolic meanings that reflect the tribe’s values and traditions.

• Community Unity: The entire community participates in these offerings and prayers, which likely strengthens social bonds and collective identity. It seems like the festival isn't just about praying for a good harvest but also about reinforcing the tribe's cultural cohesion.

Tiwa Tribe’s Social and Cultural Structure:

The Tiwa (Lalung) tribe’s unique matrilineal system—where a Tiwa boy goes to marry a girl, known as Kobea Liwa—is a significant social feature. This setup places women at the center of family life and decision-making. Given this, one might imagine that women play a key role in the rituals and cultural performances during the Langkhun Festival, possibly even influencing the way the event is organized and conducted.

Differences Between Hill Tiwas and Plains Tiwas:

• Hill Tiwas: Living in the Karbi Anglong district, these Tiwas likely maintain traditions that are more closely tied to their isolated environment and perhaps retain more indigenous practices. Their festivals, including the Langkhun Festival, might have certain elements that reflect the challenges and lifestyle of living in the hills, including specific agricultural practices.

• Plains Tiwas: In contrast, those living along the southern bank of the Brahmaputra Valley (and speaking Assamese) may have been influenced more by Assamese culture. Their celebrations might incorporate some Assamese elements while still preserving core Tiwa traditions.

The recent discovery of a 44,000-year-old wolf nearly perfectly preserved in permafrost is indeed groundbreaking

Permafrost Overview

What Is Permafrost?

Permafrost refers to ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years (32°F or 0°C or lower). It’s a phenomenon largely observed in regions close to the poles and in areas with high mountain altitudes. The land remains frozen throughout the year, which leads to the preservation of organic matter—like the remains of ancient animals and plants—trapped within.

Where Is Permafrost Found?

• Locations: Permafrost is mostly found in the Northern Hemisphere, covering regions in Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. The highest latitudes and coldest areas of Earth naturally preserve these frozen landscapes.

• Depth and Thickness: The depth of permafrost varies widely—ranging from just a few feet to over 1,000 meters (about 3,281 feet). The thickest layers are often found in the Arctic tundra, which spans vast areas.

Permafrost Composition

Permafrost is frozen soil, sand, and rocks bound together by ice. This freezing process prevents the decomposition of organic material, effectively trapping remains of ancient animals and plants.

• Active Layer: The uppermost layer of soil is known as the active layer and it thaws during the warmer months. In colder regions, this layer is only about 4 to 6 inches thick, while in warmer areas it can be several meters thick.

Why Is Permafrost Important?

• Climate Implications: As permafrost thaws due to global warming, the organic matter trapped inside it begins to decompose. This process releases methane and carbon dioxide, both potent greenhouse gases that can further accelerate climate change.

• Infrastructure Damage: Thawing permafrost can turn solid ground into a muddy slurry, destabilizing infrastructure like roads, buildings, and pipelines, which were once built on solid frozen ground.

The 44,000-Year-Old Wolf Discovery:

This discovery is particularly notable because it highlights the preservation power of permafrost. The cold conditions have helped preserve the wolf’s remains in near-perfect condition, providing invaluable insights into:

1. Ancient Ecosystems: Studying the wolf’s DNA and other preserved materials can tell scientists about the ancient environments in Siberia—what plants and animals lived there, and how species interacted.

2. Evolution of Species: It might also shed light on the evolution of wolves and their ancient relatives, and their adaptations to harsh climates.

3. Permafrost's Role in Conservation: This highlights how permafrost acts as a natural preservation chamber, giving scientists the opportunity to study organisms from thousands of years ago.

Implications of Thawing Permafrost:

As permafrost regions thaw due to climate change, not only do they lose ancient specimens like the Siberian wolf, but they also release greenhouse gases. The thawing cycle could potentially lead to a feedback loop:

• As the frozen ground melts, it releases gases like methane, which accelerates global warming.

• This warming could further thaw the permafrost, releasing even more gases, which would amplify the climate crisis.

Global Attention on Permafrost:

The permafrost’s thawing is becoming a critical environmental issue, with scientists focusing on how this impacts not only local communities in these cold regions but also the global climate system. It’s crucial to understand both the immediate effects (like infrastructure damage) and long-term consequences (like accelerating climate change).

The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a significant development in India’s agricultural export landscape.

About National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)

Background

• Established by the Ministry of Cooperation, NCEL is set up under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.

• It serves as an umbrella organization that promotes exports from the cooperative sector, focusing on enhancing the global competitiveness of cooperative-produced goods and services.

Objectives and Role

• Main Aim: To enhance the global competitiveness of goods and services produced by cooperatives.

• It works by creating synergies among cooperative societies and improving their reach in global markets.

Promoters of NCEL

The NCEL is supported by several major cooperative institutions in India, including:

• AMUL (GCMMF)

• IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative)

• KRIBHCO (Krishak Bharati Cooperative)

• NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation)

• NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation)

These institutions bring in vast expertise in agricultural and processed food products, along with a large network of cooperative societies.

Member Eligibility

• All cooperative societies, from primary-level to apex-level, are eligible to become members if they are interested in exports.

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Functions of National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)

1. Export Promotion:
   NCEL plays a key role in promoting exports by engaging in various activities such as:

   • Procurement and storage of cooperative-produced goods.

   • Processing, marketing, and branding of products.

   • Ensuring labelling and packaging meet global standards.

   • Certification for quality assurance to match international market requirements.

   • Research & Development (R&D) to enhance product offerings.

2. Financial and Technical Support:
   NCEL provides assistance with:

   • Finance arrangements for cooperative societies involved in export.

   • Technical guidance to improve production and packaging standards.

   • Training and capacity building to increase export capabilities.

3. Market Expansion:

   • One of the key functions is to help cooperative societies access wider markets beyond India’s geographical boundaries. This includes identifying global markets, conducting market intelligence, and promoting surplus exports from India’s cooperative sector.

4. Research and Innovation:

   • Focusing on innovative methods to strengthen the export potential of cooperatives and ensuring they remain competitive in the international market.

Strategic MoU with APEDA

The recent MoU between NCEL and APEDA focuses on:

• Promoting agricultural exports, especially products from the cooperative sector.

• Enhancing export performance and tapping into new global markets for cooperatives’ agricultural products.

• Leveraging APEDA’s market development initiatives and NCEL’s cooperative export network to make India’s cooperative products more competitive internationally.

Significance of NCEL’s Role in Agricultural Exports

1. Strengthening Cooperative Economy:

   • The cooperative sector has been a backbone for agriculture in India. With organizations like AMUL and IFFCO, it has managed to bring together small and medium-sized farmers into the export chain. NCEL will further support this by increasing the visibility of cooperative products globally.

2. Boosting India’s Agricultural Export:

   • India is a major global player in agricultural exports, and NCEL’s role will increase the participation of cooperative societies in this sector. Products like dairy, fruits, vegetables, and processed food will see greater demand internationally.

3. Inclusive Growth:

   • The move ensures that even small-scale cooperatives, typically not exposed to international markets, can benefit from the global demand for agricultural products. This can empower local farmers and help them gain better prices for their produce.

4. Support for Sustainable Farming:

   • Through its focus on organic farming, quality assurance, and green products, NCEL can further promote India’s agricultural exports in line with global sustainability trends.

Conclusion

The NCEL-APEDA MoU is a step in the right direction for boosting India’s agricultural exports, with a focus on cooperative-led development. It opens up new avenues for cooperatives to access global markets, strengthening India’s role in the world agricultural trade.