Birsa Munda birth anniversary: PM to address Gujarat event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dediapada in Gujarat’s tribal dominated Narmada district on Saturday to address a public gathering marking the birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Ahead of the event, the PM will inspect the under construction bullet train station in Surat at around 10 a.m. to review progress on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR). The 47-kilometre Surat-Bilimora section is near to completion.

Tribal welfare projects

Mr. Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over 9,700 crores in Narmada district, with a focus on tribal welfare, infrastructure, health, education and heritage.

Mr. Modi will take part in the ‘grih pravesh’ of 1,00,000 houses built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JA- GUA), an official statement said. “The PM will inaugurate 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), worth around 1,900 crore, dedicated to tribal students; 228 multipurpose centres to act as hubs for community led activities and flag off 250 buses for 14 tribal districts of Gujarat.

About Birsa Munda

Birsa Munda(1875–1900) was anIndiantribal freedom fighter, religious reformer, and folk herowho played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement, particularly in the tribal belt of modern-day Jharkhand and Bihar. He is often revered as "Bhagwan" (God) and affectionately called "Dharti Aaba" (Father of the Earth) by his followers

Key Facts

Birth:Born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatvillage, Bengal Presidency (now in the Khunti district of Jharkhand).

Tribe:He belonged to the Munda tribe.

Movement:He led theUlgulan(meaning "Great Tumult" or Munda Rebellion) in the late 19th century, a millenarian movement that sought to establish Munda Raj (self-rule) and independence from British rule.

Objectives:His movement targeted British agrarian policies that were disrupting the tribal way of life and aimed to protect tribal land rights and cultural identity against exploitation by British officials and Christian missionaries.

Death:He was arrested in 1900 and died in Ranchi Jail on June 9, 1900, at the age of 25, with authorities claiming cholera as the cause, though this is often disputed

Legacy

Birsa Munda's struggle and sacrifice had a lasting impact:

Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas:In honour of his contributions, the Government of India declared his birth anniversary, November 15th, as "Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas" (Tribal Pride Day).

Jharkhand Statehood:The state of Jharkhand was created on November 15, 2000, his 125th birth anniversary, a testament to his influence in the region.

Recognition:He is the only tribal leader whose portrait hangs in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament.

He is remembered as a visionary leader who mobilized his community and instilled a strong sense of pride and resilience among tribal people