India observed the first ever Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) on 15th November 2021. The day marks the birth anniversary of Amar Shaheed Bhagwan Birsa Munda (Birsa Munda), a tribal leader who fought against British rule in India.
- The day also recognises the contribution of the tribal community who were a part of the freedom struggle and their efforts to preserve their cultural heritage.
Several events and programmes will be organised from November 15 to 22 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to pay respect to the tribal freedom fighters.
Background:
On 10th November 2021, the Union Cabinet of India chaired by Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi declared the 15th November of every year as the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to mark the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda who is considered as God(Bhagwan) by tribal communities across India.
Birsa Munda:
i.Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village, Jharkhand.
ii.He has contributed to refining various religious practices, discouraged many superstitious rites.
iii.The Mundas called him Dharati Aaba, the father of earth.
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Mahasammelan:
Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi visited Madhya Pradesh(MP) to participate in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Mahasammelan held at Jamburi Maidan, Bhopal, MP as a part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
Highlights:
i.PM launched the ‘Ration Aapke Gram’ scheme in MP with an aim to deliver the monthly quota of Public Distribution System (PDS) Ration to beneficiaries from Janjatiya community in their own villages.
ii.Marking the launch of the Madhya Pradesh Sickle Cell (Hemoglobinopathy) Mission, he handed over the hand over genetic counselling cards to beneficiaries.
The mission aims to screen and manage patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia, Thalassemia and other Hemoglobinopathies and create awareness about these diseases.
iii.He also laid the foundation stone of 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across India in states and union territories (UT) including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tripura and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
iv.PM Modi has also virtually inaugurated Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Udyan cum Freedom Fighter Museum – भगवान बिरसा मुंडा स्मृति उद्यान सह स्वतंत्रता सेनानी संग्रहालय at Ranchi, Jharkhand.
This museum will feature the tribal culture full of diversity, depicting the contribution of tribal heroes and heroines in the freedom struggle.
PM Inaugurated Bhopal’s Habibganj Railway Station Renamed After Rani Kamlapati:
On the occasion of 1st Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, Bhopal, MP. The Habibganj railway station was renamed after Rani Kamlapati, the first Gond queen of Bhopal.
i.Rani Kamlapati railway station, a part of the West Central Railway, is India’s first ISO certified Railway Station.
ii.This is also India’s first PPP (Public-Private partnership) model-based railway station that has been dedicated to the nation.
The renaming honours the memory and sacrifices made by a queen of the Gond community.
- Rani Kamlapati was hailed as the pride of the Gond community and the last Hindu queen of Bhopal, the kingdom was later seized by Afghan commander Dost Mohammed by deceit.
Additional info:
i.The government of Madhya Pradesh proposed to rename the Habibganj railway station after Rani Kamlapati.
ii.The station was redeveloped at a cost of Rs 100 crores.