Asifabad: Manda Makarandam, Project Officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), on Sunday paid homage to noted anthropologist Professor Haimendorf and his wife, Betty Elizabeth, describing them as true kindred spirits of the Adivasi people.

During his visit to Marlavai village in Jainoor mandal under Utnoor ITDA limits, he garlanded the statues of the Haimendorf couple and tribal freedom fighter Komaram Bheem. The visit marked his first tour of the historically significant village.

The Project Officer inspected key sites including the Haimendorf Museum, Reading Library, the couple’s cottage, Padma Shri Gusadi Training Centre, Gondwana Panchayat ‘Rai Centre’ Darbar grounds, the site where the couple lived in 1941, and the Government Ashram High School for Boys.

He received a traditional welcome from villagers, who greeted him with Adivasi rituals and drum performances.

Addressing a gathering at the Gram Panchayat office, Makarandam lauded the Haimendorf couple for dedicating their lives to the uplift of tribal communities. He called upon residents to work collectively for development while preserving their rich cultural heritage. Highlighting Marlavai’s historical importance, he urged tribal communities to utilise government opportunities effectively. He assured that special focus would be given to education, healthcare and agriculture in tribal regions. Emphasising education, he said every child must attend school and appealed to parents to prevent dropouts. He also reiterated that welfare schemes would be implemented efficiently to benefit all eligible tribal families.

The Project Officer assured that initiatives such as Indiramma housing, ration cards and other government programmes would be extended to all eligible beneficiaries in coordination with officials.

Later, villagers felicitated him by presenting a portrait of the Haimendorf couple and a copy of the ‘Haimendorf Report’.