On the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and the 25th Jharkhand State Foundation Day, Ulihatu, the birthplace of the revered leader, was alive with festive spirit. The entire region echoed with chants of ‘Dharti Aba’ (Father of the Earth). Thousands of devotees, villagers, public representatives, and visitors from various states gathered to pay their respects by offering garlands at the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The ceremony was attended by Jharkhand Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, MP Kalicharan Munda, former Union Minister Arjun Munda, and local MLAs. The State Chief Secretary and numerous other public figures also paid homage.
Governor Radhakrishnan, addressing the state ceremony at the Birsa Munda Complex in Ulihatu, highlighted the proud history of tribal communities and their significant sacrifices during India’s freedom struggle. He emphasized the need to draw inspiration from their legacy. The Governor suggested the construction of a statue resembling the Statue of Liberty for Bhagwan Birsa Munda in his birthplace and pledged to develop Ulihatu into an ideal village and a prominent tourist destination. He urged everyone to cherish their homeland, mother tongue, and culture.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren proclaimed Jharkhand as the land of heroes, whose sacrifices led to the formation of the state. He stressed the collective responsibility to build the Jharkhand envisioned by these martyrs. The Chief Minister stated that his government is actively engaging with people from all communities across the state to understand and address their challenges. He affirmed that the government is prioritizing the all-round development of tribal and indigenous communities through ambitious schemes, placing them at the forefront of all development initiatives. The Chief Minister also mentioned that 50% of the government’s expenditure is dedicated to the welfare of mothers, sisters, daughters, villages, the poor, and farmers. He described his government as one that operates from villages, ensuring development reaches every household. Highlighting that Jharkhand is now a 25-year-old ‘youthful’ state, he expressed his commitment to collaborating with the younger generation to elevate Jharkhand to the ranks of India’s leading states.
Recalling a time when locals had to borrow money for education and healthcare, Soren assured that his government is working to transform these circumstances, with a focus on empowering women and improving education and health services. Future plans include significant advancements in sports, tourism, employment, and infrastructure development. The Chief Minister concluded by wishing everyone a Happy Foundation Day and offering his salutations to Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, hoping for prosperity and happiness in every household and encouraging participation in the state’s comprehensive development.
