Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan visited Ulihatu, the ancestral village of tribal icon Birsa Munda in Jharkhand’s Khunti district. He paid homage to Birsa Munda by offering floral tributes at his statue and interacting with his descendants and family members. Radhakrishnan expressed that Birsa Munda’s life serves as an inspiration for the youth and highlighted the significance of his sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle.
Describing the visit as deeply moving, the Vice President mentioned that it was his first visit to the revered birthplace of ‘Dharti Aaba’ since assuming office. He recalled a previous visit during his tenure as Jharkhand Governor, emphasizing the importance of Birsa Munda’s legacy in guiding future generations. Radhakrishnan commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to declare November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021, aimed at increasing national awareness of tribal heritage.
During the visit, Radhakrishnan interacted with local villagers and received a traditional ‘Johar’ welcome. He also highlighted the PM-JANMAN scheme focusing on the protection and empowerment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) as part of the government’s inclusive development efforts. Stressing the need for greater awareness of tribal freedom fighters’ contributions during the ‘Amrit Kaal’, he emphasized the realization of the rights and dignity for which Birsa Munda fought.
Elaborate security arrangements were in place during the Vice President’s visit, with the presence of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, and state minister Irfan Ansari. Birsa Munda, known as “Dharti Aba” (“Father of the Earth”), led the Munda Rebellion against British oppression in the late 1890s, becoming a symbol of resistance against colonial exploitation and injustice.
