London [UK], November 15 (ANI): The Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom marked the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda with a cultural program celebrating tribal traditions from across India.
In a series of posts on X, the High Commission said High Commissioner Doraiswami recalled Bhagwan Birsa Munda as both “the voice of a nation rising and of Indian nationhood,” and as an early advocate for the stewardship of forests, air, and water—values long upheld by India’s tribal communities.
The celebration featured performances by the Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence on the Koya traditions of the Dandakaranya region in South India, United Assam Association UK, NRI Association of Chhattisgarh (NACHA), Jharkhand UK Connect, and Orissa Society UK.
A children’s poster-making competition and a group discussion in Hindi on themes including socio-economic development, education, livelihood, entrepreneurship, health, culture, and heritage were held to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
“Last evening, @HCI_London commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of #BhagwanBirsaMunda and observed #JanjatiyaGauravDivas, honouring the legacy, pride, and resilience of India’s tribal communities. The programme featured a rich cultural line-up celebrating tribal traditions from across the country,” the Mission stated.
“In his remarks, HC @VDoraiswami paid tribute to #BhagwanBirsaMunda, recalling him as the voice of a nation rising and of Indian nationhood, and as an early advocate for the stewardship of our forests, air, and water—values long upheld by India’s tribal communities.”
“Performances by the Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence, United Assam Association UK, NRI Association of Chhattisgarh (NACHA), Jharkhand UK Connect, and Orissa Society UK transformed the evening into a journey across India’s tribal heartlands, with every beat and step reflecting a unique ancestral tradition,” it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary, remembering the tribal freedom fighter for his unparalleled contribution to India’s independence movement.
Birsa Munda, born on November 15, 1875, belonged to the Munda tribe and led a tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand during the late 19th century under British rule. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti and also coincides with Jharkhand Foundation Day. (ANI)
