Centre sets up committees to celebrate 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Patel and Birsa Munda and birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The government has set up three high-level committees to celebrate the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and tribal icon Birsa Munda, and the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. According to the Union Culture Ministry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chairman of all three committees. The Committee is tasked to approve plans, programmes, supervise and guide the commemoration ceremony across the country.
 
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. Mr Patel played an instrumental role in the country’s struggle for freedom. He had accomplished the task of integrating 565 Princely States into the Union of India within a remarkably short span of time- a feat unprecedented in history. Vallabhbhai Patel is also known as the Iron Man of India.
 
Birsa Munda is a celebrated tribal icon and freedom fighter. Tribal movements against British rule, like the Ulgulan (Revolution) led by Birsa Munda, were not only pivotal in challenging British oppression but also inspired a national awakening. Birsa Munda, revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities, led a fierce resistance against the exploitative colonial system, making his birth anniversary on 15th November a fitting occasion to honour tribal heroes.
 
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a poet, writer and statesman, who served as Prime Minister for three terms. To commemorate the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 25th December is observed as Good Governance Day. During his tenure as Prime Minister, India carried out the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. In 2015, he was conferred the country’s highest civilian honour- Bharat Ratna.