Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas and Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 151st birth anniversary were celebrated in Unakoti district, Tripura. Minister Tinku Roy highlighted tribal rights, welfare initiatives, land distribution and new health programmes for women and adolescent girls in tea garden areas.
Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas and the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda were celebrated with enthusiasm in Tripura’s Unakoti district, where Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy highlighted the legendary tribal leader’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle and his fight for the rights of indigenous communities.
The district-level celebration was organised at the Murtichhara T.E.J.B. School ground in Kailashahar. The programme was jointly organised by the Unakoti District Administration, Tribal Welfare Department, Information and Cultural Affairs Department and Chandipur RD Block. Minister Tinku Roy inaugurated the programme and paid floral tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda along with other distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said Birsa Munda sacrificed his life at the age of just 25 while fighting for India’s freedom and protecting the rights of tribal communities over water, forests and land. He described Birsa Munda’s contribution as an unforgettable chapter in Indian history.
Tinku Roy noted that November 15 has been observed as Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas across the country since 2021 on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the Central and State Governments are implementing various welfare and development initiatives to improve the living standards of tribal communities while promoting Birsa Munda’s ideals.
Referring to development programmes in tribal-dominated and backward areas, the minister highlighted initiatives such as the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and PM-JANMAN.
He also discussed the welfare of tribal families residing in Tripura’s tea garden areas. According to him, around 8,500 tribal families currently live in the state, many of whose ancestors migrated from Odisha, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh approximately 110 years ago. Nearly 5,000 families have received ration cards, while around 4,500 families have been provided land pattas. In Chandipur Assembly constituency alone, approximately 2,000 families have received land ownership documents.
Announcing another welfare initiative, Roy said a month-long health awareness and sanitary kit distribution programme would begin in the first week of December across tea gardens in Chandipur constituency, with support from the State Bank of India. Around 5,500 women and adolescent girls aged between 14 and 40 will receive sanitary kits, soap and other essential hygiene products. Health camps will also be organised under the initiative.
The minister further stressed the importance of raising awareness about child marriage, early motherhood and substance abuse. He urged educated youths to take an active role in addressing these social challenges and building a healthier society.
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Roy said the most meaningful tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda would be to uphold his ideals and protect the rights, dignity and livelihoods of tribal communities.
Among those present were Chandipur Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Sampa Das (Pal), Vice-Chairperson Binoy Singh, Unakoti Additional District Magistrate and Collector Yogesh Reang and other local representatives and officials. District Welfare Officer Sudip Kar delivered the welcome address.
