New Delhi
Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be observed annually on November 15, the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations this year will be grand and pan-India.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has decided to celebrate the special day in schools, skill and higher educational institutions across the country to commemorate the contribution of tribal freedom fighters.
“The Ministry of Education under the leadership of Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will be celebrating ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ in a grand manner in the schools, skill and higher educational institutions across the country,” the Ministry said.
The celebration in schools and colleges will be marked by a large number of programmes including a debate competition on the theme — ‘Contribution of Janjati Heroes in freedom struggle’ and other social activities. “The contributions of brave tribal leaders like Bhagwan Birsa Munda and others will be highlighted during these celebrations, a government statement said. The students will also be felicitated for their good work,” the MoE said in a statement.
“To commemorate the contribution of the tribal freedom fighters, the Ministry of Education in association with the AICTE, UGC, Central Universities, Private Universities, other HEIs, CBSE, KVS, NVS and Skilling institutions is celebrating ‘JanjatiyaGaurav Divas’,” it further stated.
In 2021, Modi had declared November 15 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ dedicated to the memory of Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary. Revered as a Bhagwan (God) by tribal communities across the country, Birsa Munda was an iconic freedom fighter, social reformer and tribal leader of the country, who fought bravely against the exploitative system of the British colonial government, and became a legendary figure in his lifetime.
He organised and led the tribal movement, giving a call for “Ulgulan” (Revolt) to the tribals. He encouraged tribals to understand their cultural roots and observe unity, the Ministry of Education statement added.
The MoE’s celebrations will inspire future generations acknowledge the sacrifices of the tribal freedom fighters for the country, take forward their legacy and the conservation of tribal culture, art and rich tribal heritage, the statement noted.
For its part, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh is also planning to make the event memorable. With PM Modi mentioning the upcoming special day in his latest Mann Ki Baat, Chouhan has been holding meetings on the issue with his Ministers and BJP leaders.
Jharkhand celebrates its foundation day on November 15 and successive Jharkhand Governments have utilized the occasion for political outreach by announcing major schemes and policies.
The Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas is also part of the Modi dispensation and the BJP’s tribal outreach to win them over to its side in view of a number of Assembly elections scheduled in several States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh in the next few months and also the 2024 parliamentary polls as the Scheduled Tribe voters hold sway over scores of seats.
Establishing museums of tribal freedom fighters, renaming railway stations after tribal leaders and installing statues of tribal icons area are also part of the BJP’s tribal push.
