Tribals in Bengal to use Facebook for Development

Kolkata, March 21 (IANS) Taking their friendship from the virtual to the real world, more than 600 "educated and privileged" Facebook users belonging to West Bengal's tribal communities will meet on April 5 to discuss strategies to harness social media for tribal development.

The second 'Kolkata Adibasi Facebook Meet' aims to unite youngsters and adults from the tribal communities who have established themselves in various careers.

"We are trying to translate the virtual friendship into real bonding so that this platform can be used to promote development and unity among the tribal members," Pradip Kumar Hansda, one of the organisers, told IANS.

He said the responsibility lies with the accomplished members of the tribal communities to foster growth and progress for the rest.

"The educated and privileged youths of the tribal society need to take up issues and provide solutions. Since they are active on social media, we believe it could be a catalyst in bringing about change. Youngsters are already buzzing with ideas and this platform will help give those ideas shape," Hansda said.

As many as 642 users of the popular social networking site have been invited to the day-long meeting at the Victoria Memorial Hall grounds.

Most of the invitees are members of Facebook groups such as 'Santal Students and Youth Unity' and 'All India Adibasi Employees and Teachers Association'.

"Most of the people are from Bengal tribes such as Santals and their clans like Murmu, Soren etc. We have members of the tribe from neighbouring states of Odisha and Bihar as well. There are tribes from other parts of India too. We have started with Bengal and we want to take it to the national level," Hansda said.