SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
London/Ranchi, January 25: Highlighting the enduring global legacy of Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda, Chief Minister Hemant Soren visited St John’s College, University of Oxford, the alma mater of the iconic Adivasi leader, to view preserved archives and discuss future collaboration on heritage preservation and academic scholarships.
The visit underscored Jaipal Singh Munda’s role as a pioneering constitutional thinker, an indigenous rights advocate, and an early proponent of a separate Jharkhand.
Rare Archives from Jaipal Singh Munda’s Oxford Years
During the visit, St John’s College showcased rare photographs, archival records, and preserved documents related to Jaipal Singh Munda’s time at Oxford. These included Oxford hockey team photographs, debating society records, and personal papers such as letters and notebooks, reflecting his exceptional academic engagement, leadership, and public speaking skills.
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College records highlight that Jaipal Singh Munda served as Secretary and later President of the College Debating Society. He also represented the College and University in hockey, earning a Hockey Blue, before going on to captain India’s hockey team at the 1928 Olympics.
Warm Reception at St John’s College
The Chief Minister was received by Professor Lady Sue Black, Baroness Black of Strome, President of St John’s College, who welcomed and felicitated the delegation. A high tea reception was hosted in honour of the visit.
Linking Jharkhand’s History with Global Institutions
The Chief Minister appreciated St John’s College for preserving Jaipal Singh Munda’s legacy with care and dignity. He said such archival stewardship strengthens the living link between Jharkhand’s history and global centres of learning.
He recalled Jaipal Singh Munda’s enduring importance to Jharkhand, particularly his foundational role in the movement that ultimately led to the creation of the state.
Legacy Continued Through Statehood Movement
Hemant Soren noted that Jaipal Singh Munda’s vision was carried forward through decades of mass mobilisation for statehood, including under the leadership of his father, the late “Dishom Guru” Shibu Soren. He said Shibu Soren, as co-founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, played a central role in the long struggle that culminated in the creation of Jharkhand in 2000.
Proposal for Archival Collaboration and Scholarships
Building on the visit, the Chief Minister expressed interest in a structured collaboration between the Government of Jharkhand and St John’s College. The proposed partnership would focus on archival exchange, digitisation, and preservation, along with sharing curated materials and scholarly resources to document Jharkhand’s historical and intellectual legacy.
Professor Lady Sue Black welcomed the proposal and appreciated the spirit of sustained academic engagement between Jharkhand and Oxford. She also highlighted the Chevening–Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship as an important bridge supporting young scholars and long-term people-to-people ties.
Both sides also exchanged views on the possibility of a dedicated St John’s–Jharkhand doctoral scholarship to honour the legacy of Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda and Guruji Shibu Soren.
The Chief Minister also interacted with faculty members, researchers, and Indian students pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies at St John’s College.
