PONDA: Known for hunting animals in the past with their bows and arrows, Vanarmare tribal youth (Kathkari Samaj) residing at Nirankal for the past several decades, displayed their hidden talent by excelling in archery among the various 12 games organised for them by an NGO from Sankhali.
The two-day sports melava was organised at Kumbharwada, Nirankal ground, with an aim to find hidden talent and display their skills in games.
Around 60 members of the tribe including youth, children, and women participated in the event displaying their talent and skills in football, cricket, tug-of-war, running, long jump, shot put, javelin throw, plate throw, rope jump, lemon spoon, etc. However, the public noticed that the members of the tribe showcased their talent in archery and kabaddi. Before the event, practice and training sessions were held for them with a school providing sports material for the event.
Once upon a time, hunting with bow and arrow was the main occupation of this tribe, but now they have been forced to quit this occupation following strict forest rules which prohibit the hunting of animals.
However, the youth displayed their hunting skills in the archery event by hitting targets as far as 50 metres.
Earlier, Deputy Collector Chandrakant Shetkar inaugurated the event in the presence of “Savendan Kendra chief Naman Sawant, Saijala Padvalkar, Dasharat Morajkar, Arva Naik, Sanaya Shirodkar, Teja Gaude and others.
The tribe members, who were leading a primitive life, remained neglected from society and were struggling to earn their livelihood by working as labourers in bagayats.
Their plight came to light six years ago, when some unknown persons set their huts on fire at Nirankal, following which an NGO took the issue to the Human Rights Commission, which directed the government to provide the tribe members the basic amenities including water and ration. The tribe members, who reside in huts, urged the authorities concerned to construct pucca houses for them. Their children are studying in local primary schools and NGOs across Goa are putting in efforts to bring them on par with the rest of society.
