New Delhi - Hundreds of tribal people in India's eastern state of Jharkhand on Thursday celebrated the election of Barack Obama as US president by beating drums, singing songs and distributing sweets, news reports said.

The tribal people, who are among the most underprivileged sections of Indian society, gathered for the celebration near a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Morabadi grounds in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, the IANS news agency reported.

Tribal leader Bahura Ekka said Tuesday's election of Obama, an African American, was a major step forward in the battle against racial discrimination.

"This is a red letter day in the history of the world" was one of the slogans raised by the tribals gathered at Ranchi.

Tribal people, also known as adivasis or original inhabitants, form about 8 per cent of India's 1.2-billion population. Jharkhand is among the states having a large tribal population - about 26.3 per cent, according to the 2001 census.

Members of India's tribal communities are largely landless and poor despite an affirmative action policy carried out over several decades. Their leaders still complain of racial discrimination.

"Black people have always faced challenges in the world," said Bahura Ekka, a tribal leader. "We believe that racial discrimination will end after Obama's election as US president."

"We chose to celebrate the victory in front of the statue of Gandhi, who was first to start the fight against racial discrimination in South Africa," Ekka said. (dpa)