He said this while laying the foundation stone for the country's first National Tribal Academy at Tejgadh yesterday which was set up by the Bhasha Research and Publication centre. He said that the unique academy would facilitate understanding the lives of the tribals. Tejgadh, he said, was an ideal location for such an academy as it stood at the extreme western end of the tribal belt running through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.

He hoped that the academy would help in preserving tribal knowledge-systems which were part of our national heritage and stressed upon the fact that the Institute would be one of its kind and that no time should be lost in its establishment.

Over 8000 tribals attended the function in their traditional finery adding to the gaiety of the ceremony. The open-air exhibition of various tribal artifacts put up by the Bhasha Reserach and Publication Centre for this occasion attracted huge crowds.

Chairman of the centre, Dr G N Devy, in his address described the plans for the academy and said that the process of establishing the campus would be over within three years.

On the occasion, the centre felicitated several renowned scholars and artists. Dr Bhagwandas Patel was felicitated for his contribution to Bhili language and literature, Mansing Rathwa for Pithora paintings and Gulsing Rathwa for sculpture. Three of the centre's publications, Shankarbhai Tadvi's Telavne Mele and Revaben Tadvi's Jhamm Jhanjhariyun Re were also released.

Others who were present at the function included Bhupen Khakhar, Maharaja Virendrasinh Chauhan of Chhotaudepur, Vice-Chancellor of M S University, Anil Kane, Vadodara collector Anil Mukim and some local MLAs.