Ranchi: The ancestral village of Nemra in Jharkhand witnessed an unprecedented gathering today as lakhs of people arrived to attend the Shraddh Bhoj of former Chief Minister and legendary tribal leader Shibu Soren. From national political figures to local leaders, bureaucrats, social representatives, and common citizens — people across all walks of life came together to honour the late leader’s memory.
To accommodate the massive turnout, five large pandals were set up and elaborate arrangements were made, including a wide array of traditional dishes. Security was tight across the area, with large-scale deployments and organized crowd management.
Notable personalities continued to arrive throughout the day. Governor Santosh Gangwar visited Nemra to pay floral tribute to Soren’s portrait and met with Chief Minister Hemant Soren and other family members to offer condolences. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was also present, joining the gathering in this moment of remembrance.
Former Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey shared personal memories of Shibu Soren during the event, highlighting the leader’s legacy and humble nature. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth reached Nemra on Saturday, where they too paid tribute to the late leader.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy visited the Soren family and expressed his sympathies. He met CM Hemant Soren, MLA Kalpana Soren, and other family members, noting the deep influence Shibu Soren had not just in Jharkhand, but in tribal politics nationwide.
More than a dozen Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from different districts also took part in the Shraddh Bhoj. Large groups of political workers and citizens arrived from Dumka, Sahebganj, and various parts of the Santhal region.
Given the anticipated crowd, over 300 e-rickshaws were arranged to ferry visitors between designated parking zones and the venue. Temporary shelters, resting areas, and special pedestrian pathways were also set up for convenience.
In a thoughtful move, separate food and refreshments were arranged through the police control center for on-duty personnel, allowing them to focus on maintaining order rather than joining the ceremony.
Adding an emotional dimension to the event, a short film chronicling the life and struggles of Shibu Soren — fondly known as Dishom Guru — was screened on large displays across the venue. It allowed attendees, especially the younger generation, to gain insight into the life of a man whose decades-long struggle shaped the identity of modern Jharkhand.
The Shraddh Bhoj was part of the rituals marking the conclusion of Soren’s Dashakarm ceremony, as per tribal traditions. It turned into not just a farewell, but a massive public celebration of a life that symbolized resistance, rights, and representation for Jharkhand’s tribal population.