SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Nov 15: The Tribal and Regional Language Department of Ranchi University celebrated the Tribal Gaurav Diwas and commemorated the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat, who talked about tribal pride on the occasion.
Bhagat during his address said, “We are celebrating this Tribal Pride Day in the TRL Department of Ranchi University. The founder of this department, the Late Dr Ramdayal Munda once said that tribals never need any priest or Brahmin, they communicate directly with God.”
He further claimed, “Tribals were looted, made poor, then people claimed that they were poor and work should be done for their development. Their ideals, culture, and medical practices were looked down upon. Even after the separation and formation of Jharkhand, the aspirations of the tribal communities were not fulfilled.”
VC Ajit Kumar Sinha in his address said that very little research has actually been done on Birsa Munda, and urged researchers to work on it. He further instructed that the TRL department works on it. He said, “I was surprised to know that Bhagwan Birsa Munda was not only the leader of protests against the British but was also well-versed in herbal medicine called Horopathy. This proves that our knowledge about these heroes of ours is very limited even today.”
Dr B P Sinha, Director, the School of Mass Communication said that Birsa Munda himself was also a very good flute player. “It is a matter of great happiness and pride for us that the Jharkhand chapter has also been started in a country like Kenya,” he added while commenting on the celebration of Tribal Gaurav Diwas in Kenya.
Dr Hari Oraon, Director, TRL Department, further highlighted the aspects of Birsa Munda’s biography in the programme. While talking of Phulo Jhano as an example, he said, “We should not underestimate the contribution of tribal women activists of Jharkhand in the fight against the British.” Dr Umesh Nand Tiwari of the Nagpuri department also expressed his views on Sidhu Kanhu. Govind Nayak, National Co-Organization Minister, ABVP also shared his views on the occasion.
Furthermore, the students of the TRL department performed songs, while a dance drama presentation was performed by the students of the Department of Performing Arts.
After the conclusion of the Tribal Pride Day programme in Akhada, the Vice-Chancellor, University officials along with the Chief Guest, enjoyed the traditional tribal cuisine in the TRL department. After this, a speech competition was also organised in the TRL department which saw participation from students and research scholars from the university.
Officials including Kishore Surin, Dr Gauri Shankar Jha, Exam Controller Dr Ashish Jha, DSW RK Sharma, Deputy Director of Vacancies Dr Smriti Singh along with several office bearers were present on the occasion.
