Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Khunti (Jharkhand), November 15 (IANS) Thousands of people on Saturday paid homage to the great tribal icon Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary at Ulihatu in Jharkhand, the birthplace of his father.
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and several dignitaries attended the main commemoration event at the Birsa Munda complex in Ulihatu.
He also met the descendants of Birsa Munda and honored them with shawls and mementos.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Gangwar said that the courage shown by Birsa Munda in protecting the motherland and preserving the tribal identity at a young age will continue to inspire generations.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that whenever he visits the birthplace of Birsa Munda, he feels ‘blessed’.
He said, “The long struggle for a separate Jharkhand state was finally successful only by following the ideals of Dharti Aaba. We will maintain his ideals and move forward.”
He said that the state government is implementing several ambitious schemes for the overall development of tribal and indigenous communities.
He said, “Jharkhand is now a 25-year-old state. We are taking concrete steps to make Jharkhand among the leading states with the energy of our youth. Rapid progress is being made in education, health, sports, tourism and infrastructure. Our aim is to bring prosperity to every household and make people partners in the development journey.”
Union Minister Jual Oram said that Birsa Munda’s role in the freedom struggle and his fight for tribal rights is an invaluable chapter of India’s civilizational heritage.
He said, “I am truly honored to be on this sacred land of Ulihatu. His ideals and sacrifices will always inspire us.”
A large number of villagers and officials including MLA Vikas Singh Munda, Ramsurya Munda, Sudeep Gudiya, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Birsa Munda’s descendant Sukhram Munda and officials were present in the ceremony.
Jharkhand is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of its formation today. This state came into existence on this day in 2000, which became the 28th state of the Indian Union by separating from 18 districts of Bihar. This date was deliberately chosen to coincide with the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda.
–IANS
SNC/SKP/