The name of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is well known in the rich history of India as a brave warrior and social reformer, who dedicated his life for the upliftment and rights of tribal society.
Every year on November 15, his birth anniversary is celebrated as National Tribal Pride Day in India. This day is not only a remembrance of his martyrdom and contributions but also a celebration of the ancient cultural heritage, continuous struggles, and self-respect of the tribal community.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, in the village of Ulihatu in Jharkhand to a humble Munda family. His life was filled with hardships, and he faced economic struggles from a young age.
Social inequality, oppression, and the continuous exploitation of tribes by foreign rulers filled Birsa Munda’s heart with a spirit of rebellion. He fought against the Zamindari system, forced conversions, and atrocities on the traditional lives of tribal people.
Birsa Munda led the “Ulgulan” (Great Rebellion) – tribal uprising against British rule and their atrocities. The movement aimed to raise voices against the land policies imposed by the British, forced conversions, and laws interfering with the traditional lifestyles of tribes. Under Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s leadership, this movement created waves of public revolution throughout the region, earning him titles like “Dharti Aaba” or “Dharti Pita” (Earth Father).
Bhagwan Birsa Munda was not only a freedom fighter but also a great social reformer. He raised awareness against prevalent evils in tribal society such as superstitions, caste discrimination, substance abuse, and other social ills. He emphasized the importance of education to his followers and preached unity. Birsa Munda also initiated a religious movement called “Birsaait,” encouraging his followers to adhere to purity of conduct, simplicity, and truth.
National Tribal Day
In 2021, the Central Government declared November 15 as National Tribal Pride Day in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary. The purpose is to honor the contributions of Birsa Munda and other tribal freedom fighters. Various programs are organized across the country on this day to understand and celebrate the cultural heritage, traditions, and glorious history of tribal society. This day serves as an important opportunity to remember the struggles and contributions of tribal communities.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s contribution to the Indian independence movement is unparalleled. He was not only a leader for his local tribes but also inspired other tribal communities to organize and actively participate in the freedom struggle through his “Ulgulan” movement. Although he attained martyrdom at a young age of just 24 years and 7 months on June 9, 1900, his legacy lives on in the hearts of tribal communities as he is remembered as a great revolutionary leader.
The significance of National Tribal Pride Day extends beyond merely remembering Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s contributions. It is also a day to celebrate the cultural and historical identity of tribal society. Tribal communities have played an essential role in India’s history. This pride day honors their cultural heritage, struggles, and achievements. It serves as a reminder for all Indians that tribal society is an integral part of India’s culture whose contributions must always be cherished.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life is a source of inspiration that imparts messages of courage, struggle, and commitment to social justice. National Tribal Pride Day encourages us to remember his teachings, patriotism, and struggles while remaining sensitive to the rights and dignity of tribal communities.
Contextually, as per an official press release, India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi marked the commencement of 150th Birth Anniversary Year celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. He also unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6640 crore in Bihar.
PM Modi shared that “the Tribal society is the one which made Prince Ram into Lord Ram. It led the fight for centuries to protect India’s culture and independence”. Terming today the day as a very holy day, PM Modi remarked that Karthik Poornima, Dev Deepawali as well as 550th Birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji was being observed at a one time; and, thus greeted the citizens of India for the same.
Highlighting today’s celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav divas and beginning the Janjatiya Gaurav year, PM Modi said the celebrations marked an honest attempt to correct a major historical injustice. He added that the Tribals had not received their due recognition in the society in the post-independence period. He also congratulated the one crore people from various villages who had joined virtually in today’s event at District Jamui, Bihar.
Informing about multi projects, PM Modi shared that the projects comprised around 1.5 lakh approval letters for pucca houses for tribals, schools and hostels for the betterment of tribal children’s future, health facilities for tribal women, road projects connecting tribal areas, tribal museums and research centers to conserve the tribal culture. Shri Modi remarked that there was Grih Pravesh of 11,000 Awas built for the tribals on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepavali. He congratulated all the tribals on this occasion.
Emphasizing the great contribution of tribal society in the ancient medicine system of India, Shri Modi remarked that this heritage was also being protected along with adding new dimensions for the future generations. He added that the Government had set up National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in Leh, upgraded the North-Eastern institute of Ayurved and Folk Medicine research in Arunachal Pradesh. Shri Modi said the Government was also setting up the upcoming Global center for traditional medicine under the auspices of WHO, which will help further propagate the traditional medicine system of Tribals across the world.
“Our government’s focus is on education, income and medicine of the tribal society”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He was pleased that the tribal children were coming forward in various fields like medical, engineering, armed forces or aviation. This, he said, was the result of creation of better prospects from school to higher education in the last decade in the tribal areas. The Prime Minister underlined that his government had added 2 new Tribal universities in the last decade as against the one Central tribal university in six decades of post-independence period.
He added that many degree and engineering colleges along with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) were started in the Tribal dominated areas in the last decade. Shri Modi also noted that in the last decade, 30 new medical colleges were started in the tribal areas along with ongoing works in many new medical colleges including one in Jamui, Bihar. He added that a strong network of 7000 Ekalavya schools across the country is also being developed.
Highlighting the achievements of the tribal youth in winning medals in international sports events in the last decade, Shri Modi said the Government had undertaken efforts to improve the sports infrastructure in the tribal areas. He added that modern playgrounds, sports complexes were being developed as part of Khelo India Abhiyan in the tribal dominated areas. He also noted that India’s first national sports university was started in Manipur.
The Prime Minister remarked that laws related to Bamboo were very strict even after 70 years of Independence causing huge difficulties to tribal society. He added that his government has eased the laws related to Bamboo farming. Shri Modi noted that around 90 forest products were brought under the ambit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) as against 8-10 forest products in the past. He added that more than 4,000 Van Dhan Kendras are operating today in India, helping around 12 lakh tribal farmers.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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