286th birth anniversary of Sant Sevalal Maharaj celebrated

286th birth anniversary of Sant Sevalal Maharaj celebrated

HYDERABAD

The 286th birth anniversary of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, a revered spiritual leader of the Banjara community, was celebrated with great pomp and fervour at Banjara Bhavan in Banjara Hills on Saturday.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka participated in the ‘Bhog Bhandar’ programme, where he offered ghee and holy water to the Bhog kund, garlanded the idol of Sevalal, and extended his greetings to thousands of Lambada tribals.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Seethakka, who was the chief guest of the programme, emphasised the importance of preserving tribal cultural roots and identity. She encouraged tribals to speak their mother tongue, even at home, and urged everyone to contribute to the development of tribals.

Ms. Seethakka praised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for allocating sufficient funds for tribals’ development. Congress government had brought in the SC/ST Sub-Plan Act in 2013 to ensure funds were allocated to the community and not diverted, she said.

She promised to bring the issue of conducting Sant Sevalal Jayanti at LB Stadium to the notice of the Chief Minister. She also vowed to make efforts on behalf of the government to include Banjara language in the list of officially-recognised languages.

Congress MPs Balram Naik and Anil Yadav, Government Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, MLAs Balu Naik and Government Whip Ramchander, Tribal Welfare Department Secretary A. Sarath, and Lambada cultural association members attended the programme.