The Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, a national platform celebrating the rich cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s tribal communities, was inaugurated today at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi. The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
The festival was inaugurated by Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Dao Ngoc Dung, Hon’ble Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Y. Thong, Hon’ble Vice Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The event was also attended by Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri M. Rajamurugan, Managing Director, TRIFED; Shri Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; and Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, along with senior officials, tribal leaders, artisans, and other stakeholders.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, said: “Bharat Tribes Fest reflects the rich traditions, creativity and resilience of India’s tribal communities. The festival serves as an important national platform to showcase tribal art, crafts, handlooms, cuisine and enterprises while strengthening market linkages for tribal artisans and entrepreneurs.”
H.E. Mr. Dao Ngoc Dung, Hon’ble Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, expressed his deep appreciation for the longstanding partnership between India and Vietnam and said, “We are delighted to share a strong and multifaceted relationship with India, rooted in our cultural, economic and ethnic ties.
As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of India–Vietnam relations, initiatives such as these play a vital role in further deepening our engagement, fostering mutual understanding, and strengthening the enduring bond between our two nations.”
Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, highlighted the importance of the event and said, “Bharat Tribes Fest highlights the immense potential of tribal craftsmanship and entrepreneurship while ensuring that traditional knowledge systems and cultural heritage are preserved and promoted.
We are confident that in the coming days, tribal artisans will be able to sell their products successfully, earn better profits, and gain meaningful exposure, further strengthening their livelihoods and market presence.”
The festival brings together tribal communities and enterprises from across the country, offering a vibrant and immersive showcase of handicrafts, handlooms, forest produce, and traditional cuisines. Key highlights include:
More than 200 curated stalls showcasing tribal products
About 75 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) promoting value-added forest produce
More than 300 art and craft participants from across India
120 tribal cuisine participants presenting authentic regional dishes
17 live craft demonstrations by master artisans
Reputed designers and tribal artisans featured in the Signature Pavilion
400+ tribal artists performing traditional dances and music
A major highlight of the festival was the launch of the signature RISA brand and the inauguration of the Signature Pavilion, showcasing curated tribal textiles and crafts developed through collaborations between leading designers and tribal artisans.
The RISA brand was launched by Shri Jual Oram in the presence of Smt. Savitri Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Women and Child Development; Smt. Ranjana Chopra; Shri M. Rajamurugan; Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; renowned designer Shri Manish Tripathi; and other dignitaries.
Through the RISA platform, indigenous textile traditions such as Eri Silk and Muga Silk of Assam, Kotpad Cotton of Odisha, Changpa Pashmina of Ladakh, and Toda Embroidery of Tamil Nadu are being presented in contemporary design formats, creating new opportunities for tribal artisans to access wider markets while preserving their cultural heritage.
As part of the festival, a multi-day Bharat Tribes Business Conclave will be held from 19 March 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, designers, and tribal enterprises to explore collaboration, innovation, and market expansion.
A CSR Summit scheduled on 24 March 2026 will focus on strengthening partnerships between corporate institutions and tribal enterprises through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to promote sustainable livelihoods.
Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 will continue from 18 to 30 March 2026 at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, offering visitors an immersive experience of tribal art, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine, and cultural performances from across India. The festival aims to promote greater awareness of tribal heritage while creating enhanced livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.