On the occasion of the anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, the country is observing Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations. As a part of the celebrations, PM Modi inaugurated the re-developed Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal. 

Governor Mangubhai Patel, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan also present at the occasion.

PM Modi also greeted the residents of Jharkhand, which was formed on Munda’s birth anniversary in 2000. While crediting  Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the formation of Jharkhand as a separate state, the Prime Minister also paid tributes to the former prime minister on the occasion of Jharkhand foundation day.

“Due to the firm willpower of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jharkhand came into existence. It was he who had formed a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs and connected tribal interests to policies of the nation. On Jharkhand foundation day today, I also pay tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” PM Modi said.

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– “Indian Railways is not only a means of connecting distances, but it is also becoming an important means of connecting the culture, tourism and pilgrimage of the country,” says PM Narendra Modi.

 – Six yrs back those who had some work with Indian Railways used to be seen cursing it. Crowded stations, filth, hours of tension while waiting for trains, inconvenience of seating-eating facilities, filth inside trains, the tension of safety used to come to mind when spoken of Railway – PM Modi.

– Alleging that some political parties kept the tribal society devoid of all facilities, PM Narendra Modi said nothing was done to resolve their issues. 

“I had been seeing how some political parties kept the tribal society devoid of all facilities. Votes were asked to get rid of all issues. They came to power but things that needed to be done wasn’t done. Their society was left helpless, said PM Modi.

 – In a veiled attack on Congress, PM Narendra Modi today said that tribals’ culture and capability were ignored for decades, even after comprising around 10 per cent of India’s population.

“When we discuss tribal society’s contribution to nation-building, some people get surprised. They can’t believe that it had a big role in strengthening India’s culture. It’s because the nation was either never told about it, was kept in the dark or very limited info was given on it,” said the Prime Minister.

“It happened as those who governed the nation for decades after independence prioritised their selfish politics. For decades tribals’ culture and capability were ignored, even after comprising around 10 per cent of India’s population. Their issues, education, health meant nothing for them,” he added.

– PM Narendra Modi today condoled the demise of notable historian Babasaheb Purandare.

“I’d also like to remember notable historian and Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare. I came to know this morning that he passed away. His contribution in taking the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to common people is priceless,” the prime minister said.

– Addressing the Mahasammelan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today India is celebrating its 1st ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’. For the first time after independence, art, the culture of tribal society and their contribution towards freedom struggle and nation-building is being proudly remembered and honoured.”

– Speaking at the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Mahasammelan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a dig at Congress saying that neither the Britishers nor the grand old party gave Rani Kamlapati an appropriate position in history. “Rani Kamlapati was forgotten. Neither the Britishers nor Congress gave her an appropriate position in history. But PM Narendra Modi renamed Habibganj Railway Station after Rani Kamlapati,” he said.

“Congress questioned why Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Mahasammelan is being organised. They say it’s a waste of money. Some people, who used to say that the BJP govt is anti-tribal, are going to court. Now they are perturbed. They spend crores on hero-heroines, on events like IIFA,” the Madhya Pradesh CM added.

–  PM Narendra Modi pays floral tribute to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda and greets people at Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Mahasammelan in Bhopal.

PM launches Bhagwan Birsa Munda museum in Ranchi

Earlier in the day,  PM Modi launched ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda Smriti Udhyan Sah Swatantrata Sangrahalaya’ in Ranchi virtually. The Sangrahalaya has been built in association with the Jharkhand government at the Old Central Jail in Ranchi, where the tribal freedom fighter had sacrificed his life.

“The nation decided that during ‘amrit kaal’ of independence, tribal traditions and its tales of gallantry will be given even more grand identity. The historic decision has been taken that Nov 15 – the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda – will be celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,” the Prime Minister said while speaking during the virtual event.

“I have spent a large part of my life with tribal brothers and sisters and children. I have been a witness to their joys and sorrows, daily lives and the necessities of their lives. So, today is also an emotional day for me personally,” the Prime Minister added.

While crediting  Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the formation of Jharkhand as a separate state, the Prime Minister also paid tributes to the former prime minister on the occasion of Jharkhand foundation day.

“Due to the firm willpower of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Jharkhand came into existence. It was he who had formed a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs and connected tribal interests to policies of the nation. On Jharkhand foundation day today, I also pay tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” PM Modi said.

PM to launch multiple initiatives in MP today

The Prime Minister will also visit Madhya Pradesh today where he will launch multiple initiatives for the welfare of the Janjatiya community. He will first pay floral tributes at Birsa Munda’s statue at Parliament House before leaving for Bhopal.

Paying his tributes to the tribal freedom Fighter, PM Modi today recalled his contribution in giving a sharp edge to the freedom movement and fighting to protect the interests of the tribal society.

“Respectful tributes to Lord Birsa Munda ji on his birth anniversary. Along with giving a sharp edge to the freedom movement, he always fought to protect the interests of the tribal society. His contribution to the country will always be remembered,” PM Modi tweeted.

Birsa Munda – the iconic tribal leader

Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875. During the British rule in the late 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand.

His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with the Jharkhand Foundation Day.

Earlier this week, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda had said that the tribal heroes have played an important role in the struggle for India’s Independence. Birsa Munda is a very prominent name in this series and thus the Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has announced to celebrate his birthday as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Union minister said.

“Several programmes will be organised from November 15 to 22 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to pay respect to the tribal freedom fighters,” he added.