Raipur, 01 October 2024/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has announced that ‘Tribal Glory Day’ will be celebrated in every district of Chhattisgarh on 15th November to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has designated 15th November as Tribal Glory Day in memory of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. This year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, which will be observed with grandeur across the state. The Chief Minister was addressing a daylong workshop on ‘The Glorious Past, Historical, Social, and Spiritual Contribution of the Tribal Society’ organized at the New Circuit House in the state capital, Raipur. The event was presided over by Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, with MLA Shri Bhaiyalal Rajwade attending as a special guest.
Chief Minister said that the tribal community has a rich and glorious history. He expressed pride in the fact that many eminent freedom fighters were born in the tribal community. The tradition of fighting for the nation has existed within this community since time immemorial. Brave warriors like Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Gaindsingh, and Gundadhur made supreme sacrifices for the nation. He emphasized that the world is grappling with serious challenges posed by climate change today, making it crucial to preserve nature. The tribal community has set an exemplary precedent in this regard by demonstrating the way to conserve nature, a practice that is still worthy of emulation. In the tribal communities, nature is revered, and festivals like Sarhul are celebrated in Eastern Chhattisgarh when the Sal trees blossom.
Chief Minister further highlighted that tribal culture is deeply spiritual, embodying a harmonious coexistence with nature. There is no discrimination between the young and the old or between men and women—everyone is equal, and nature’s gifts are for all. These values are essential lessons that society must learn from this community. Indeed, the art of living must be learned from the tribal community. Social evils like dowry have no place in the tribal community. The valour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda continues to inspire courage in the lives of many. He envisioned a society free from exploitation. In line with his vision, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Pradhanmantri Janman Yojana to bring prosperity to the lives of people belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Prime Minister’s Tribal Advancement Village Campaign from Hazaribagh, which will benefit over 5 crore people from 63,000 tribal-dominated villages.
Chief Minister added that the simplicity and straightforwardness of tribal people are captivating. The dietary habits of the tribal community keep lifestyle-related diseases like blood pressure and diabetes at bay. He emphasized that the workshop organized by the Higher Education Department on the glorious past of the tribal community will serve as a milestone in showcasing the glory of the tribal society to the entire nation.
Presiding over the event, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap stated that the tribal community played a significant role in the country’s freedom struggle. Many great personalities emerged from this community who initiated resistance against the British even before the 1857 uprising. The British faced major setbacks in the tribal regions during the freedom struggle and were compelled to retreat on several occasions. Shri Kashyap narrated that when the British began laying railway tracks in Bastar, which required the use of timber, the tribal community opposed it, expressing their sentiment that their forests should not be cut. Due to the community’s social solidarity, much of the forest area was preserved. He emphasized that today’s event will help convey the heroic tales of the tribal community documented in the annals of history to future generations. He pointed out that Bastar Dussehra is a living testimony of social harmony, and 80% of the families in this community still live in joint families. Practices like the consumption of millets and organic farming are aspects of the tribal community that the modern educated society should imbibe.
In his welcome address, the Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Shri Prasanna R., expressed gratitude to the participants. Shri Vaibhav Surange, National Youth Head of the Vanvasi Vikas Samiti, elaborated on the contribution of the tribal community to the freedom struggle. He highlighted that several progressive traditions exist within the tribal culture, where people seek nothing from the Almighty. Dr. Anurag Jain, Secretary of the Vanvasi Vikas Samiti, stated that the contributions of the unsung tribal heroes must be introduced to the new generation. The event witnessed the presence of Shri Umesh Kashyap, President of the Vanvasi Vikas Samiti, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, and several eminent citizens. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries also visited an exhibition centered around the contributions of tribal freedom fighters during the event.
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