Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad(ABVP) flagged off the “Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra” from Ulihatu, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who is an icon of India’s freedom struggle and tribal pride. On the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary, the Yatra was formally launched after offering floral tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and performing the traditional Rath Poojan. Following this, a seminar was organised at the district headquarters in Khunti. Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Arjun Munda addressed the seminar as the Chief Guest.
The ‘Birsa Munda Sandesh Yatra’ will proceed from Ulihatu through Khunti, Chakradharpur, Chaibasa, Seraikela, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Gumla, Lohardaga, Latehar, Modinagar, Garhwa, Duddhinagar, Robertsganj, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Kushabhawanpur, Raebareli, Lucknow, Sitapur, Bareilly, Moradabad and Saharanpur, finally reaching the venue of ABVP’s 71st National Conference at Parade Ground, Dehradun on November 27. At each halt, seminars, street plays, exhibitions and various awareness programmes will be organised to disseminate Bhagwan Birsa’s contributions to tribal heritage and cultural resurgence.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Chief Guest Arjun Munda, former Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, extended his best wishes to the ABVP karyakartas and said, “The life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is an eternal source of inspiration for every Indian. His unwavering devotion to his land, society and Dharma enabled him to achieve extraordinary feats at a very young age. With limited resources and traditional weapons, he led the historic ‘Ulgulan’ against the British and instilled courage and self-respect in the tribal community. His life stands as a remarkable example of struggle, patriotism and dignity for today’s youth”.
Aryan Maan, President of the Delhi University Students’ Union, appreciated ABVP’s initiative and said, “On the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, an embodiment of courage and tribal pride. ABVP is reaching out to people across the nation through numerous programmes. In universities, colleges and social spaces, ABVP is spreading awareness about his legacy. It is vital that the message of Bhagwan Birsa, who fought for India’s identity and the rights of ‘Jal, Jungle, Zameen’, reaches deep into the hearts of the people and not remain confined to history”.
Special Guest Govind Nayak, National Co-organising Secretary of ABVP, briefed the gathering about the Yatra and stated, “The Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra, starting today from Ulihatu, will traverse through various states before culminating at the ABVP National Conference in Dehradun. This Yatra is significant for India’s ‘Self-Identity’. Through this journey, we aim to bring Bhagwan Birsa’s teachings to the broader public through multiple cultural and educational programmes”.
