14-11-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand on the Occasion of Jharkhand State Foundation Day and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

On this auspicious occasion, I extend my warm greetings to all the distinguished guests and citizens present here at the auditorium of Lok Bhavan.

On behalf of the people of Uttarakhand, I convey my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of Jharkhand on the occasion of the State Foundation Day. I also extend my sincere greetings to all fellow citizens on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day).

This auspicious day is an occasion to recall Jharkhand’s historical consciousness, glorious identity, tribal heritage and unwavering commitment to the nation. On this day in 2000, the State of Jharkhand was formally established, marking the culmination of years of people’s movements, aspirations and the quest for dignity and self-respect. This day also marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji. I pay my humble tributes and offer my deepest respects to this great national hero.

The land of Jharkhand is distinguished not only by its natural beauty and mineral wealth but also by its glorious tribal traditions, indomitable courage and spirit of patriotism. Its soil bears the inspiring stories of self-respect, struggle and sacrifice.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda was one of the great leaders of India’s freedom struggle who, at a young age, gave a new direction to tribal consciousness through his extraordinary courage, leadership and struggle. Revered as ‘Dharti Aaba’, Birsa Munda Ji led the historic ‘Ulgulan’ against British rule, exploitation and injustice, fighting to protect the rights of tribal communities over Jal, Jungle and Zameen (Water, Forest and Land), as well as their cultural identity and self-respect. His supreme sacrifice at the young age of just 25 became an immortal chapter in the history of our nation, symbolising courage, sacrifice and dignity.

His life inspires us to stand fearlessly against injustice, uphold our self-respect and remain steadfast in our commitment to the nation. On this occasion, I also pay my respectful homage to all the tribal heroes, including Sidhu-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Tilka Manjhi and Nilambar-Pitambar, whose sacrifices infused new strength into India’s freedom struggle.

Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the declaration of 15 November 2021 as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ was an important initiative to recognise and honour the historic contribution of tribal communities at the national level. This day inspires us to draw strength from the glorious history of tribal heroes and renew our commitment to preserving their culture, safeguarding their rights and ensuring their holistic development.

The rich cultural traditions of Jharkhand’s diverse tribal communities, including the Santhal, Munda, Oraon and Ho, are an integral part of India’s pluralistic civilisation. Festivals such as Sarhul, Sohrai and Karma reflect reverence for nature, community solidarity and the spirit of coexistence. Their folk songs, folk dances, languages, handicrafts and traditional knowledge enrich our cultural heritage.

Indian civilisation has, since ancient times, upheld a tradition of respect and affinity towards tribal and forest-dwelling communities. In the Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram’s affection for Mata Shabari and his deep bond with Nishadraj Guha stand as timeless examples of social harmony, equality and human warmth. Their lives inspire us to build a society founded on love, dignity and mutual respect.

The eternal Indian philosophies of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family) and ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’ (May All Be Happy) are reflected in the collective way of life of tribal communities and their harmonious relationship with nature. At a time when the world is facing challenges such as environmental imbalance and climate change, the nature-centric way of life of tribal communities offers valuable lessons for all humanity. Conservation of Jal, Jungle and Zameen is not merely a necessity but also a responsibility towards future generations.

The development of a nation becomes truly meaningful only when its benefits reach the last person in society. Respect, empowerment and holistic development of tribal communities are fundamental pillars of inclusive nation-building.

Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, important initiatives such as PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan are expanding basic infrastructure and development opportunities in tribal regions. Eklavya Model Residential Schools, scholarships and skill development programmes are opening new avenues of education, empowerment and progress for tribal youth.

To empower tribal communities, it is essential to expand access to education, healthcare, skill development and employment opportunities. Special emphasis must be placed on promoting the entrepreneurship of tribal women, strengthening Self-Help Groups and encouraging local products to ensure their economic self-reliance.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and Veerbhoomi Jharkhand, despite their geographical distance, share common bonds of reverence for nature, community solidarity and rich tribal traditions. The Tharu, Buksa, Bhotia, Jaunsari and Raji communities of Uttarakhand, along with the diverse tribal communities of Jharkhand, have preserved their distinctive languages, folk arts and cultural heritage across generations.

There is immense potential for cooperation between the two States in the fields of tribal culture, traditional knowledge, handicrafts, education and tourism. Such collaborative initiatives will further strengthen the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.

The active participation of tribal communities will be crucial in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. We must ensure that tribal youth scale new heights in education, science, technology, sports and entrepreneurship, while tribal daughters emerge as symbols of self-reliance and leadership, guiding society towards a brighter future.

Our collective endeavour must be to ensure that tribal communities remain equal partners in the journey of development while preserving their glorious culture and traditions, and play a leading role in the progress of our nation. Remaining rooted in our heritage while reaching new heights of progress is the true meaning of development.

Dear people of Jharkhand,

Let us draw inspiration from the ideals of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji and pledge ourselves to preserving tribal culture and heritage while ensuring the dignity, empowerment and holistic development of tribal communities.

I firmly believe that Jharkhand, with its abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage and capable human potential, will continue to establish new benchmarks of development and prosperity and make a significant contribution towards building a Viksit Bharat.

May the life, ideals and immortal message of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji continue to inspire our national consciousness for generations to come.

In conclusion, on the auspicious occasion of Jharkhand State Foundation Day and the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the people of Jharkhand for happiness, prosperity, good health and a bright future.

Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!