Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of birth anniversary of revered tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, popularly known as Dharti Aba virtually inaugurated a museum in Ranchi. Birsa Munda Memorial
Udyan and Museum has been built at the old jail campus where Birsa Munda breathed his last in 1900.
While, the Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Museum virtually in Ranchi, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union Tribal Affairs minister Arjun Munda, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, State Transport Minister Champai Soren, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, MLA CP Singh, Ranchi
Mayor Asha Lakra along with senior government officials and dignitaries were present were present at main venue
in Capital.
Addressing a gathering virtually, the Prime Minister said that Dharti Aaba (1875-1900), did not live very long but he wrote a complete history for the country and gave direction to the future generations of India. Paying tributes, Modi said he fought against the ideology that wanted to erase the identity of the tribal society of India.
“Bhagwan Birsa Munda and countless other freedom fighters fought for freedom so that our people can take their own decisions and empower the weak. They also spoke against social evils,” Modi tweeted.
Meanwhile, in Ranchi Chief Minister Hemant Soren said today is a historic day as we celebrate the birth anniversary of Dharti Aba.
“The day gains special significance, as today the state gets Birsa Munda Memorial Udyan and Museum which has been developed at the old jail campus. The State Government and Centre has contributed in giving the jail campus a new look. The campus has been developed as a historic structure having a collection of state freedom fighters. The structure will inspire coming generations about the contribution of our freedom fighters.”
The Chief Minister also said that Jharkhand is a small State, but the State has a different history.
“Much before the call for Indian independence, the people of this state fought for Jal, Jungle and Zameen. The sons of the soil of this state always fought for the integrity of the country and State. Heroic sons were born in every nook and corner of the Santhal Pargana, Kolhan, North Chotanagpur, South Chotanagpur and Palamu divisions of this state, from where these great men fought to protect their generation and preserve nature,” Soren said.
The Chief Minister added today in the materialistic era, we have reached the moon, but it is equally important that we know and understand our past, preserving our language and culture. The Chief Minister said that Jharkhand is a tribal state. “The tribal community here has never made any discrimination on ground of high and low. The tribal people have worked to see everyone as equal and as one,” added CM Soren.
The museum is situated at the Old Central Jail in Ranchi where the tribal icon had breathed his last. A 25-feet tall statue of Munda has been installed.
The museum demonstrates the way tribals struggled to protect their forests, land rights, their culture and show their valour and sacrifices vital for nation-building.
Along with Munda, the museum will also highlight tribal freedom fighters such as Budhu Bhagat, Sidhu-Kanhu, Nilambar-Pitambar, Diwa-Kisun, Telanga Khadiya, Gaya Munda, Jatra Bhagat, Poto H, Bhagirath Manjhi and Ganga Narayan Singh. The memorial park has been developed on adjacent 25 acres of land, and it has a musical fountain, food court, children’s park, infinity pool, garden and other entertainment facilities.