On the occasion of World Tribal Day, the two-day Jharkhand Tribal Festival-2024 was inaugurated today in a grand manner at Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan, Ranchi. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Chief Guest and Chairman of State Coordination Committee -cum- Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren, were present as special guests at the inaugural ceremony. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who was presiding over the program, congratulated and wished the people of the state on World Tribal Day.
In his address, he said that on the occasion of World Tribal Day, a grand Jharkhand Tribal Festival is being organized in the state for the third time. This is not just a festival, but it is an effort to preserve, beautify and get recognition in the country and the world for its ancient and rich tribal civilization-culture and heritage.
The CM said that today Tribal Day is being celebrated with joy, gaiety and enthusiasm across the state. Through various programs being organized on this occasion, the tribals are spreading the shine of their civilization and culture. He said that the Tribal Festival is becoming a big medium to give a distinct identity to the tribal philosophy of life and art-culture. In the tribal festival being organized here, we are getting a chance to come face to face with the art-culture, tradition, songs-dance and costumes of the tribals.
The CM said that tribal civilization is the oldest civilization in the world. The civilization-culture and tradition of the tribals have been very rich since ancient times. Tribal communities live in different parts of the world, but uniformity is seen somewhere in their civilization-culture. There is a need to protect and enrich the tribal art-culture and tradition, so that it always remains a source of inspiration for the coming generation.
Soren said that the tribals of Jharkhand have inherited struggle. The tribals here never compromised with their civilization-culture and honour. They fought a long struggle for the protection of water-forest-land. We are proud of our heroes who sacrificed everything for injustice, exploitation and the country-state.
The CM said that Jharkhand has been the land of heroes and martyrs for centuries. Whether it is before independence or after independence, there was a long fight for a separate state of Jharkhand. There have been many heroes like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sido Kanhu, Bhairav- Chand, Phoolo Jhano, Nilambar Pitambar, Tilka Manjhi, Sheikh Bhikhari, Budhu Bhagat, Tana Bhagat, Nirmal Mahato and Vinod Bihari Mahato, who sacrificed their lives to protect the rights of tribals and natives against injustice and exploitation, and for the protection of water, forest and land. We salute these brave martyrs.
The CM said that tribals achieve their position after a lot of struggle. For this, they have to fight a long battle. In such a situation, the government is making efforts for the progress of tribal society. You also have to play your role. You move forward, the government is with you.
The CM said that the public has a lot of expectations from our government. We are trying to fulfill the aspirations of the people with full force. In this regard, many welfare schemes are being run by the government. Through these schemes, the people of the state are being empowered and made self-reliant. The Chief Minister said that even amidst adverse challenges, we are working to give a new dimension to development in the state, so that we can give a better future to the coming generation.
In this festival, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Chairman State Coordination Committee-cum- Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren and CM Hemant Soren and other dignitaries present on the stage released 12 books published by Dr. Ram Dayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute. At the same time, 73 thousand 5 hundred 83 acres of community forest lease was distributed among 257 people. At the beginning of the festival, the dignitaries paid tribute to the martyrs by laying flowers on the Shaheed Bedi. At the same time, the Governor and the Chief Minister inaugurated and observed the Tribal Exhibition Camp and Tribal Painter Camp.
In this festival, Minister of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste and Backward Class Welfare Department Deepak Biruwa, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, MLA Kalpana Soren, MLA Rajesh Kachhap, Chief Secretary L Khiyangte, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Avinash Kumar, Director General of Police Anurag Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor Nitin Madan Kulkarni, Secretary of Scheduled Caste and Backward Class Welfare Department Kripananda Jha and Tribal Welfare Commissioner Ajay Nath Jha along with many senior officers and dignitaries were present.
