New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday launched a week-long programme to celebrate the birth anniversary of iconic freedom fighter Birsa Munda across the country.
India celebrates November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter and anti-colonialist Birsa Munda.
Announcing the launch of the programme, BJP national general secretary Gajendra Patel said, "It has been decided to celebrate Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth anniversary this year by organising various programmes from November 11 to 18 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of BJP national president Nitin Nabin.
"The Union ministry of tribal affairs will also organise various programmes under the 'Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada'," he said during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.
Sharing details of the programmes, Patel said President Droupadi Murmu will interact with 200 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools and participants belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.
On November 15, floral tributes will be paid to Munda portrait in the Parliament House, he said, adding that on the same day, a grand floral tribute ceremony will also be organised at his birthplace, Ulihatu village, in Jharkhand.
The BJP leader mentioned that over 1000 programmes will be organised collectively across 240 tribal-dominated districts and 568 tribal Assembly constituencies in the country. These will include programmes in hostels, youth interactions and Assembly-level events, he added.
Patel further stated that throughout the week, Swabhiman Sammelans, processions, exhibitions, cultural programmes, sports competitions and fairs will be organised.
He said that information about Munda's life, Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and various schemes related to tribal welfare will be shared during these events.
"Additionally, members of the tribal community who have been honoured with the Padma Shri will be felicitated. Along with the tribal heroes, social workers and saints whom the prime minister has acknowledged and honoured through Mann Ki Baat, their family members will also be felicitated," he added.
Asserting that the Modi government has taken various initiatives to empower the tribal community and transform their lives, he said, "During the week-long programme, people will be made aware of the transformation that has taken place in the lives of the Janjati Adivasi Samaj (tribal community)."
Patel shared that efforts will also be made to highlight the contributions of all tribal freedom fighters and create awareness about the welfare schemes of the central government.
"From November 15 to 18, various programmes will be organised on the birth anniversaries and martyrdom days of tribal revolutionaries. Across the country, schemes related to the welfare of the tribal community will be taken to the people through the Dharti Aaba Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan, health and nutrition camps, Seva Sangam and scholarship camps," the BJP leader added.
