Bhubaneswar: The State Government has all set to celebrate the Jana Jatiya Gourav Divas, the birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda across the State tomorrow, November 15, in a massive way.
A grand event will also be held in Bhubaneswar on the occasion. The BJP government has decided to celebrate the day in a grand manner with Chief Minister, Deputy CMs and Ministers will grace the events in different places across the State.
Department of ST & SC Development Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi has chalked out details for the celebration across the State.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to celebrate Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jayanti on November 15 draws attention to history, in which Birsa Munda stood up from Bihar-Jharkhand and established a strong resistance of India against the British.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi and Sripad Yashoo Naik and Deputy Chief Ministers K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida will attend the State Level Celebrations of Jana Jatiya Gourav Divas here at Janata Maidan.
Ministers and other dignitaries will take part in programmes at different districts. This will be the first time that the State Government has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
As per a communication sent to all Collectors, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari will grace the event in Sundargarh district, while Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik will attend the event in Kalahandi, and Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister K C Patra in Dhenkanal and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan at Cuttack.
Similarly, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling will grace the district level celebration in Malkangiri, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena will attend the function in Ganjam, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra in Mayurbhanj.
Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia will be the chief guest at Keonjhar event, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj to attend the celebration in Kalahandi, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta in Jajpur and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Gokulananda Mallik at Balasore.
Local MP and MLA will grace the district level celebrations in remaining districts.
Since 2021, Janjatiya Gaurav Divas has been celebrated with great zeal across India to honor the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters. The tribal communities played a vital role in India’s freedom struggle, with movements like those led by the Santhals, Tamars, Kols, Bhils, Khasis, and Mizos, among others. These revolutionary struggles were marked by immense courage and sacrifice, but their contributions were often overlooked by the wider public.
Tribal movements against British rule, like the Ulgulan (Revolution) led by Birsa Munda, were not only pivotal in challenging British oppression but also inspired a national awakening. Birsa Munda, revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities, led a fierce resistance against the exploitative colonial system, making his birth anniversary on 15th November a fitting occasion to honor tribal heroes.
To ensure the sacrifices of these unsung heroes are never forgotten, the Indian government declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in 2021, marking 75 years of India’s independence. The day celebrates the glorious history, culture, and heritage of tribal communities, with events held nationwide to foster unity, pride, and recognition of their significant contributions to India’s freedom and progress.
On November 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jamui, Bihar, to mark the commemoration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and the beginning of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The Prime Minister will also unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crore, aimed at improving infrastructure and uplifting tribal communities in rural and remote areas.