Ulihatu, the ancestral village of the legendary freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, was the epicenter of grand celebrations on Saturday, commemorating Jharkhand’s 25th State Foundation Day and the 150th birth anniversary of the revered tribal leader. The air was filled with chants of ‘Dhartia Aba’ as thousands of people converged to honor his memory.
Among the distinguished guests who paid floral tributes to Birsa Munda were Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Member of Parliament Kalicharan Munda, former Union Minister Arjun Munda, and local legislators Ram Surya Munda, Sudip Gudiya, and Vikas Singh Munda, along with senior state officials.
Addressing the gathering at the Ulihatu Birsa Munda Complex, Governor Gangwar lauded the glorious history of tribal societies and their significant contributions to India’s independence. He urged attendees to draw inspiration from their courage and resilience. The Governor suggested erecting a prominent statue of Birsa Munda in Ulihatu, akin to the Statue of Liberty, and pledged to transform the village into an ideal, tourist-friendly destination. He also emphasized the importance of cherishing one’s cultural roots.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, speaking at the event, hailed Jharkhand as a land of heroes and affirmed his government’s dedication to building a state that honors the sacrifices of its freedom fighters. He assured the public that the government is actively working to alleviate the hardships faced by all communities. Soren highlighted the administration’s focus on the comprehensive development of tribal and indigenous populations through various progressive schemes. He pointed out that a significant portion of government spending (50%) is directed towards the well-being of women, children, villagers, the impoverished, and farmers.
Soren described his government as one that operates from the villages, reaching out to every family with its development initiatives. He recognized the state’s youth, many of whom were born after Jharkhand’s inception, and expressed his vision of collaborating with them to propel the state to national prominence. He contrasted the past difficulties in accessing education and healthcare with the present government’s endeavors to strengthen these sectors, empower women, and boost opportunities in sports, tourism, and infrastructure.
The Chief Minister concluded by extending heartfelt wishes for the State Foundation Day and offering salutations to Dhartia Aba Birsa Munda, aspiring for a future filled with happiness and inclusive development for all residents of Jharkhand.