The ambitious proposal of developing a Tribal Study and Skill Development Centre of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, at Deolapar, is likely to gain pace. The proposal has crossed several hurdles during the last few years.
First the Model College at Gadchiroli was proposed to have these facilities. With the formation of Gondwana University, the proposed Model College and the Centre came under the jurisdiction of that university.
Fresh moves were made to identify space for the Centre. Deolapar, about 70 kms from Nagpur was identified by the Committee constituted by the University. Deolapar is a village in Ramtek taluka of Nagpur district. It is a tribal-dominated region and ios fit to start the Centre.
The Chairman of the Committee Dr Milind Barhate stated that a Government ITI in Deolapar has infrastructure ready. The ITI is non-functional for the last few years. It also has facilities of a Hostel.
Dr Barhate said that the Committee is planning to visit the place in a week or two and also hold discussion with the Government officials about the proposal of the University.
The tribals in the area are known to be collecting small forest produce. The products are either used by them or sold in local market. The University plans to train them in processing of these produce and market them for higher returns. During the visit to Deolapar, discussion with local leaders of the tribal community will be held. Besides value addition to the produce, Khadi Village Industries Corporation (KVIC) and Tribal Development Department will be contacted for proper marketing of the processed forest produce. Dr Barhate said that cluster market can also be worked out for generating better market and better returns to the villagers.
The Committee has Dr Shyam Koreti, Professor at Post Graduate Department of History, RTMNU, as Member Secretary and four representatives of Management Council as other members. They include Dr Urmila Dabir, Principal of Rajkumar Kewalramani Kanya Mahavidyalaya; Dinesh Sheram, Dr Nitin Kongre, Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru College of Arts, Commerce, Science; Prof. Niranjan Deshkar of Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management. Dr Koreti and Sheram are from the tribal community and would facilitate discussion with the local people.
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