Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is currently in his ancestral village of Nemra, under the Gola block of Ramgarh district, instead of Ranchi. He has been there for the past 11 days, fulfilling his duties as both a leader and a son. This follows the death of his father, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who passed away on August 4th at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.
Since his father’s passing, Hemant Soren, the middle son, has been performing the traditional rituals associated with the final rites, including the cremation. On August 15th, during the Dashkarma ceremony, in the presence of family, relatives, and villagers, Chief Minister Hemant Soren shaved his head and beard, signifying his observance of the rituals. Preparations for the ‘sanskar bhoj,’ or memorial feast, scheduled for August 16th, are in full swing.
Traditional rituals and ceremonies are being conducted in accordance with local customs, with the support of relatives, acquaintances, and villagers who have come from afar to Nemra, Shibu Soren’s ancestral village. Chief Minister Hemant Soren is personally overseeing the preparations in Nemra. He has instructed officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements for transportation, drinking water, food, medical assistance, security, and lodging for those visiting Nemra. The administration has also launched a cleanliness drive in the village and surrounding areas to avoid any inconvenience to those attending the memorial service.
To facilitate the attendees, over 300 e-rickshaws will be available, providing easy access from the parking areas to the venue. Three large parking areas have been constructed for vehicles, each equipped with bio-toilets. Sheltered sheds, rest areas, and separate pandals (temporary structures) have also been set up along the paths for pedestrians, offering protection from the sun and rain.
For the feast, three large pandals have been erected, capable of accommodating thousands of people simultaneously. The menu will include local dishes and traditional offerings. A large team of volunteers and cooks will be on hand to ensure hygiene and smooth service.
A police control room has been established in Dhumkudiya for security and traffic control. Security arrangements include the deployment of 10 IPS officers, 60 DSPs, 65 inspectors, and approximately 2,500 police personnel. The district administration will remain on high alert to manage the arrangements. Police, administration, and volunteer teams will be active 24/7 to manage traffic, emergency services, and crowd control.
A special exhibition and memory gallery are also being prepared to showcase the late former CM’s life struggles, political contributions, his role in the upliftment of the tribal community, and his examples of public service. Rare photographs, historical documents, and achievements from his tenure will be displayed.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy are expected to attend the memorial feast. Also expected are the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, UP’s Minister of Tribal Welfare Sanjeev Kumar Gond, along with chief ministers or their representatives from several other states including Bihar, Punjab, Bengal, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Jharkhand government cabinet ministers, a large number of MLAs, and senior officials will also be present. A helipad has been constructed for VIP guests arriving in Nemra village.
