Arjun Munda, the Tribal Affairs Minister of India, on the 8th of February, visited Telangana and offered prayers at Medaram Jatara (also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara,) a tribal festival in Telangana.
Telangana Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Telangana Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy and Telangana Cabinet ministers like E. Dayakar Rao and Satyavathi Rathod welcomed Arjun Munda.
During his visit, the Union Tribal Affairs Minister assured the devotees at the festival he would bring the matter of granting a national status to the regional festival to the notice of higher authorities.
Arjun Munda also said he would raise the issues of the tribals in Telangana and inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about them.
Later, he also offered ‘bangaram (gold)’ equaling his weight to the goddesses worshipped during the 3-4 days long festival.
Arjun Munda said, “Sammakka-Sarakka duo earned fame as the goddesses who fulfill the wishes of the pilgrims.”
He also said a press release would soon be issued, demanding the Medaram Jatara festival be made a national festival.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Ministers also submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister in this matter pertaining to the Medaram Jatara festival.
