PM Narendra Modi to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Divas on Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary

New Delhi : The country is all set to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the tribes and their role in the freedom struggle with Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (National Tribal Day), which kicks off on November 15. It is also the birth anniversary of the legendary tribal freedom fighter and leader Birsa Munda. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will mark the day dedicated to tribal freedom fighters with a grand event in Bhopal, where he will be joined by more than two-lakh tribals. However, he will first pay a floral tribute at Birsa Munda’s statue and virtually launch the Birsa Munda Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi before the event in Bhopal. The museum at Ranchi is first of the 10 museums that have been sanctioned by the government as tribute to tribal freedom fighters in different states.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) will also undertake various initiatives during the commemorative week. Marked by 37 programmes across the country, the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas will culminate with the first J&K Literary and Cultural Tribal Festival, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of tribes in Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, said that these initiatives will help to create awareness about the role of tribal freedom fighters as well as their culture and life. More than 85 tribal movements and over 200 tribal leaders of pre-Independence have been identified and compiled in their research. He added, “It’s not just an event, we hope that it also inspires our tribal folks to move ahead and progress in life.”

While talking about the week-long celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, Dr Naval Jit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, revealed that the government had already started the celebration of tribal life from March 12. “From Andaman-Nicobar to Kashmir and from Northeast to Gujarat, we already have around 20 programmes related to the tribals in different states. In fact, there is a festival currently taking place at Uttarakhand from the past two days,” he informs, adding, “The tribals will be seen in a new light with these initiatives. We have much to learn from them – be it in their food, living, medicine, their philosophy, or even, community living. If we can enhance their strengths, then tribal areas will not just be the annadaatas for the country, but also help us progress in every way.”

The programmes being organised during the week also include painting competition, quiz competition, essay writing, extempore speech, patriotic song competition, folk music, tribal art and culture exhibitions among other things.