Gujarat govt to celebrate tribal icon Birsa Munda's 151st birth anniversary from Nov 12 to 18

Ahmedabad, Nov 12 (PTI) Gujarat will organise celebrations from November 12 to 18 to mark the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, with development projects worth over Rs 2,300 crore to be inaugurated or launched, officials said on Thursday.

Land rights documents will be distributed to more than 18,828 beneficiaries. The celebrations, being held under the banner of 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' (Tribal Pride Day), will cover 55 assembly constituencies across 14 tribal-dominated districts, as well as 34 districts and 17 municipal corporations, they added.

Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, state Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accorded historic recognition to tribal revolutionaries by declaring November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

He said tribal icon Birsa Munda, who fought against British rule for the rights of tribal communities over water, forest and land rights, had emerged as an enduring symbol of tribal pride and resistance.

"Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other ministers will attend the main programmes on November 15, when development projects worth more than Rs 2,300 crore will be inaugurated or their foundation stones laid across the state," the minister said.

Responding to the demands of tribal communities, land rights documents, including 7/12 land record extracts, will also be handed over to more than 18,828 beneficiaries this year, he added.

Patel said 'Shabari Booths' will be set up in the 'haat bazaars' (traditional tribal markets) of the state's 14 tribal districts to provide information about government schemes and to facilitate the sale of natural farming produce and food items.

A total of 14 'Johar Cafes' will also be launched in these tribal districts to promote local dishes and products, he added.

"Statues of Birsa Munda will be installed in the 14 tribal districts and municipal areas where they do not exist. Major roads connecting taluka and district headquarters, traffic circles and hostels for tribal students will also be named after the tribal icon," Patel said.

Ganpat Vasava, state president of BJP's Scheduled Tribe Morcha, said the programmes would begin with press conferences at the state, district and municipal corporation levels on November 12.

On November 13, youth gatherings will be organised in all 55 assembly constituencies in tribal areas, with around 500 participants at each event, to familiarise young people with the life and contribution of Birsa Munda, he said.

On November 14, cleanliness drives will be held at Birsa Munda statues and their surrounding areas from 9 am to 11 am. Local saints, ascetics and heads of religious institutions will subsequently be honoured.

At 6 pm, programmes will be organised in more than 4,500 tribal gram panchayats, featuring readings on Birsa Munda's life, a special aarti prepared in 12 to 13 tribal dialects and a 'deepotsav' in households.

On November 15, public meetings will be held across 14 tribal districts, 20 non-tribal districts and 17 municipal corporations in the presence of the chief minister, deputy chief minister and other cabinet members.

An intellectual convention involving retired officials, doctors, engineers, lawyers and prominent tribal community members will be organised on November 16, followed by traditional sports festivals in 55 assembly constituencies on November 17.

The week-long celebrations will conclude on November 18 with women's gatherings in every assembly constituency, with around 500 tribal women expected to participate in each event, Vasava said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)