New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday honoured tribal freedom hero Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary, a day celebrated nationwide as Tribal Pride Day.
In a message on X, PM Modi said, “On this auspicious occasion, the nation remembers the extraordinary contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji, who bravely defended the dignity of our motherland.”
He further wrote, “His courageous struggle and supreme sacrifice during foreign rule will remain a source of inspiration for every generation. My profound tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji on this historic day.”
Birsa Munda, born in 1875 in Ulihatu village in present-day Jharkhand, rose to prominence as a powerful tribal leader fighting against British oppression. Revered as ‘Dharti Aaba,’ he became an enduring symbol of indigenous rights and resistance.
As part of the celebrations, PM Modi will travel to Dediapada in Gujarat to inaugurate and launch development works worth over Rs 9,700 crore, funded by both the Centre and the state government. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will participate in the event.
Before the public programme, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Dev Mogra Dham, a highly respected spiritual destination for the tribal community in the Satpuda region. After offering prayers, he will join the event, where tribal performers from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra will greet him with cultural showcases.
The announcements include projects valued at Rs 7,667 crore from the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry and Rs 2,112 crore from the Gujarat government. At Ekta Nagar, a special theatrical production based on Birsa Munda’s life will be presented, and the entire programme will be streamed live across 23 tribal talukas in Gujarat.
With inputs from IANS