Newly-appointed Union Tribal Affairs Minister, Arjun Munda, on Wednesday, visited Ulihatu village, the birth place of tribal icon Birsa Munda. This was the first visit of Munda to Birsa’s birth place after he was inducted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet.
Munda on the occasion of International Environment Day talked about the needs to protect environment at the same time stressing on plantation of trees and conserving forests.
“It is high time that we all come forward in protecting the rich natural flora and fauna of the State. Government as well public participation is need of the hour to protect natural resources,” he said. The minister on the occasion also stressed on inclusion of village elders in protecting the natural resources. He also met the descendants of Birsa Munda and assured them of providing all necessary help. He also assured to carry out the development works in the village.
The visit of Arjun Munda to Ulihatu village assume importance as nearly a year back BJP national president Amit Shah along with Chief Minister Raghubar Das had visited the same village and laid the foundation stone of various developmental works including laying the foundation stone of 136 houses to be built at Ulihatu, about 65km from the Jharkhand capital. Sources said that Birsa Munda and his legacies assume importance for all political parties in Jharkhand.
Prior to visit at Ulihatu village, the BJP cadres and workers gave a rousing welcome to Arjun Munda on his first arrival to Khunti after becoming the minister in Modi’s cabinet. In Khunti he paid floral tributes to the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and later also performed pooja at a temple in Khunti.
For ensuring his victory Munda worked hard meeting people and assuring them to fulfill their aspirations. Sources said that in Munda’s victory former MP Kariya Munda played an important role as he supported the latter’s campaign.