Guwahati: President Droupadi Murmu honoured the liberation fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda on the occasion of his birthday in Jharkhand on Tuesday.
President Murmu, who is making her first trip to Jharkhand travelled to the village of Ulihatu, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda to pay her respects in front of his statue.
Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais and CM Hemant Soren were also present on the occasion.
Earlier in a tweet, President stated “On Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, my greetings to fellow citizens, especially brothers and sisters of the tribal society! Tribal communities have enriched the life of the nation with their arts, crafts and hard work. Their lifestyle offers the world lessons in nurturing nature.”
In another tweet, she said “Tribal communities made great contributions to the freedom struggle. I bow down to all tribal freedom fighters and unsung heroes. Tribal people’s contribution to the nation’s journey since Independence is no less significant. My best wishes for their development and prosperity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid rich tribute to Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary and recalled his contribution in giving a sharp edge to the freedom movement and fighting to protect the interests of the tribal society and called him a “great son of the country”.
“I consider this the fortune of my government that it got the opportunity to declare 15th November (birth anniversary of Birsa Munda) as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. He was not only the hero of our political independence, but he was also the conductor of our spiritual and cultural energy,” PM Modi said in his message on the occasion.
On the occasion of Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid him a heartfelt homage and recalled his role in providing the liberation movement a keen edge and in battling to uphold the interests of the tribal people, referring to him as a “great son of the country.”
Birsa Munda, a member of the Munda tribe was born on November 15, 1875.
He led an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement in the tribal area of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand during the British occupation in the late 19th century.
Jharkhand Foundation Day falls on the same day as Birsa Munda’s birthday.