SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Nov. 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked Jharkhand Chief Minister as well as Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda to involve school children in performing drama based on the biography of tribal icon Birsa Munda.
According to a source, Modi, while paying tributes to the celebrated tribal freedom fighter at the Birsa Munda Museum, said that this way the school children will learn more about our freedom fighters than they get from books.
“It will help school children know how tribals struggled to protect their forests, land rights, their culture and show their valour and sacrifices, which is vital for nation-building,” he added.
The museum is situated at the Old Central Jail in Ranchi where the tribal icon had breathed his last. A 25-feet tall statue of Munda has been installed.
Modi also visited barrack number 4 of the old jail where Birsa Munda breathed his last.
Modi, who also drove a ‘dheki’ at a tribal village replica developed in the museum campus, wanted to know about the lives of other tribal freedom fighters, whose statues too have been installed in the museum. He was thrilled to know how Santhals had defeated the British army twice in the early 1850s during the Santhal rebellion much before 1857, described as the first war for our Independence.
Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda and Tribal Research Institute Ranendra Kumar accompanied the prime minister.
Notably, Modi inaugurated the museum in 2021 established in memory of revered tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, popularly known as Dharti Aaba.
The museum has been developed by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry in association with the Jharkhand government.
Along with Birsa Munda, the museum also highlights tribal freedom fighters such as Budhu Bhagat, Sidhu-Kanhu, Nilambar-Pitambar, Diwa-Kisun, Telanga Khadiya, Gaya Munda, Jatra Bhagat, Poto H, Bhagirath Manjhi and Ganga Narayan Singh.
The memorial park has been developed on adjacent 25 acres of land, and it has a musical fountain, food court, children’s park, infinity pool, garden and other entertainment facilities.
