A 2-day programme was held in Astha Training Centre wherein tribal women collected and interacted regarding problems faced in the development of tribes. Around 155 members from 19 tribes of 21 districts participated in the event “Regional Samvaad”.

The event sponsored by Centre for Micro-Finance, Tata Trust and Tata Steel was held in the Bedla office of Astha Centre. The tribal members participating in this event are connected to some or the other government and non-government development plans.

The issues discussed in the event were pertaining to quality of education, mal-nutrition, lack of proper medical and health services, mining of natural resources in tribal areas and issues of dam and river linking projects.

Tribal women participated with full enthusiasm in this event. They came forward and discussed the mal-practices which need to be eradicated for the upliftment of tribes. The efforts and campaigns of tribal women of Pali against wine shops were appreciated by all. The members of Women’s Federation of Dungarpur spoke about the ambulance services, health insurance and community medical services run by various federations. A woman from Sirohi also mentioned about the school that was re-opened by the efforts of women.