A two-day seminar on “Tribal Development” began today at Pacific University under the banner of Udaipur Pacific Institute of Tribal Development.  A total of 200 candidates attended the seminar, which commenced at 10 am.  More than 5 contestants participated from Mauritius, America, Nepal, China and the Gulf. The Chief Guest, Ashok Yadav, OSD said, “Every year, Rs. 250 Cr is being spent by the Rajasthan Government for Tribal Development.  Rs. 80-85 Crore comes from the Rajasthan Government and the rest is from the Central Government.  There is a good possibility that we would get the Rajiv Gandhi Tribal University in our region.  The development would be accelerated when a representative would be present in the tribal regions, do research and ensure activation for the same”. The main speaker, Prof. Firdos Shroff from Mumbai, speaking on financial education said, “Banking services are critical in tribal areas.  Statistically, around 98% people do not invest in shares or commodity.  With the help of proper education, the probability of better investment could rise”. Prof. B.P Sharma, Pro-President, Pacific University said, “The initiatives taken by the Government in tribal development are appreciable.  The massacre at Manngarh, was more heart wrenching than the Jaliyanwala massacre and it depicts the tribal struggle”. Sharad Kothari, Registrar, Pacific University said, “There would be a timely submission of memorandum to the government based on the research work done by Pacific University on the subject of Tribal Development.  Also, there would be help and assistance provided by the University in the field of education”. “Tribal areas are more in individual count as compared to educated ones.  There should be work done by all to educate the individuals and to bring the population rate down”, said A.B.D Rai, President, Pacific University in his Presidential address. Col. Pradeep Bhatnagar, Director, Pacific Tribal Institute of Tribal Development said, “In order to bring individuals from tribal areas to the fore-front, Pacific University would be facilitating latest technologies in its education techniques to bring out their talent and showcase it to the world”. He added, “This International Seminar in the third month of the foundation depicts our hard work and we’d be doing the same always”. There were four technical sessions.  In the first, Dr. Dilip Shah, Chairman talked about Tribal Women upbringing and the need of basic amenities in the same.  The main speaker in this session was Dr. N.M Khandelwal.  15 recitations were done in the first technical round and 12 in the second.  The Chairman in the second technical session was Dr. Rakesh Dashora and the main speaker was Dr. Dalveer Singh Gehlawat. The Thanksgiving speech was delivered by Col. Bhanwar Singh and the event was led by Swati Gokhru and Dr. Subhash Sharma. Tomorrow, 2 ^nd June would be the second and concluding day of the seminar.