Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas: PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Parliament House
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated a museum in Jharkhand’s Ranchi in memory of the tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda via video-conferencing. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, the country is observing Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
He also paid floral tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda at the Parliament House in the national capital.
“The nation decided that during ‘amrit kaal’ of independence, tribal traditions and its tales of gallantry will be given even more grand identity. The historic decision has been taken that Nov 15 – the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda – will be celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,” the Prime Minister said while speaking during the virtual event.
“I have spent a large part of my life with tribal brothers and sisters and children. I have been a witness to their joys and sorrows, daily lives and the necessities of their lives. So, today is also an emotional day for me personally,” the Prime Minister added.
While crediting Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the formation of Jharkhand as a separate state, the Prime Minister also paid tributes to the former prime minister on the occasion of Jharkhand foundation day.
“Due to the firm willpower of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jharkhand came into existence. It was he who had formed a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs and connected tribal interests to policies of the nation. On Jharkhand foundation day today, I also pay tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” PM Modi said.
PM to launch multiple initiatives in MP today
The Prime Minister will also visit Madhya Pradesh today where he will launch multiple initiatives for the welfare of the Janjatiya community. He will first pay floral tributes at Birsa Munda’s statue at Parliament House before leaving for Bhopal.
Paying his tributes to the tribal freedom Fighter, PM Modi today recalled his contribution in giving a sharp edge to the freedom movement and fighting to protect the interests of the tribal society.
“Respectful tributes to Lord Birsa Munda ji on his birth anniversary. Along with giving a sharp edge to the freedom movement, he always fought to protect the interests of the tribal society. His contribution to the country will always be remembered,” PM Modi tweeted.
Birsa Munda – the iconic tribal leader
Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875. During the British rule in the late 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand.
His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with the Jharkhand Foundation Day.
Earlier this week, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda had said that the tribal heroes have played an important role in the struggle for India’s Independence. Birsa Munda is a very prominent name in this series and thus the Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has announced to celebrate his birthday as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Union minister said.
“Several programmes will be organised from November 15 to 22 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to pay respect to the tribal freedom fighters,” he added.
