NIT Rourkela Marks 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda with Janjatiya Gaurav Divas Celebrations
Rourkela : NIT Rourkela celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda with great enthusiasm, marking the 4th Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (JJGD). The event was jointly organized by the Institute Counselling Services-NITR, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan-NITR, NSS-NITR, and the Sustainable Development Goals Campus Club-NITR, with participation from students of Birsamunda Vidyapith School, Jagda, Rourkela.
The celebrations began with a Floral Tribute Ceremony and the inauguration of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, which will span from November 15, 2024, to November 15, 2025. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Prof. Pradip Sarkar (Director In Charge), Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar), Prof. Anil Kumar Singh (Head of Unit, Safety and Security), and Prof. R.K. Biswal (Nodal Officer for the program). Their heartfelt tributes reflected the shared pride in remembering the heroic legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and celebrating India’s rich tribal heritage.
In his address, Director In Charge, Prof. Pradip Sarkar, emphasized the inherent wisdom of tribal communities, stating, “The tribals have always been working towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, but they are instead considered backwards. It’s only now that we are truly appreciating the value of a sustainable lifestyle.” His words highlighted the crucial role of tribal wisdom in shaping sustainable futures.
Registrar, Prof. Rohan Dhiman, talked about the immense impact of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s contributions despite his young age. He remarked, “Even though Bhagwan Birsa Munda died at a very young age, his contributions to society were far greater than any of us ever can.”
Prof. R.K. Biswal, the Nodal Officer for the JJGD celebrations, called upon everyone to draw inspiration from the legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He expressed, “Let us commit ourselves to build a future where the voices and values of tribal communities are honoured, and their rights are protected. May this day inspire us all to carry forward the legacy of unity, courage, and pride that our tribal heroes like Birsa Munda have left behind.”
The nationwide celebrations of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas from November 15 to November 26, 2024 will culminate on Constitution Day. During this period, NIT Rourkela has planned a series of events to honour tribal freedom fighters, acknowledge their invaluable contributions to India’s freedom struggle and cultural heritage, and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to the socio-economic development of tribal regions. On this line of activities, another ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’ programme was organized today (16.11.2024) at NIT Rourkela. Students of NSS (National Service Scheme) at NIT Rourkela and a team of safety and security personnel participated in the program. Prof. Pratik Khatri (In charge of NSS-NITR team) spearheaded the Swachhata Abhiyan event theme and awareness to the participants.The event acknowledged the exemplary efforts of tribal communities in embracing environmentally-conscious lifestyles by adopting eco-friendly habits.