President Droupadi Murmu on Friday led the nation in paying tributes to tribal icon Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary which is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

The President, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla offered floral tributes at the statue of Birsa Munda at the Prerna Sthal in Parliament complex. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chair Harivansh was also present.

After the event, the leaders interacted with folk artistes.

After the president left the venue, Dhankhar, who is also the Rajya Sabha chairperson, and Birla tried their hands on musical instruments, including drums.

Since 2021, Birsa Munda's birth anniversary is being observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to remember the sacrifices of unsung tribal heroes.

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday hailed tribal icon Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary and said he sacrificed everything to protect the honour and glory of the motherland.

Born in 1875 in present-day Jharkhand, Munda had challenged British rule and is credited with mobilising tribals against the empire. He died in British custody at a young age of 25 years.

"Bhagwan Birsa Munda ji sacrificed everything to protect the honor and glory of the motherland. My deepest respects to him on the auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas," PM Modi wrote in a social media post in Hindi.

Modi also shared a video and audio montage on his tributes to Munda on various occasions.

The PM visited Bihar's Jamui to commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of the tribal icon.

Modi also greeted people on Jharkhand's foundation day.

"Best wishes to all our brothers and sisters of Jharkhand on the foundation day of the state. This land, irrigated by the struggle and sacrifice of the tribal society, has always made the country proud. I wish that this state, full of natural resources, moves forward at a fast pace on the path of progress," the PM noted in a social media post. The state of Jharkhand officially came into being on Munda's birth anniversary in 2000.