Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 16: As part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations commemorating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a statue of the tribal leader and freedom fighter was unveiled at the premises of Ranchi Association, A&N Islands at Mohanpura.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament and the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, graced the occasion and paid flower tribute at the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Mr. Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi, Secretary, SVPMC and a large gathering of people belonging to Ranchi community residing in Isles. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary extended greetings to the people of the Islands on the occasion of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. He highlighted the significant contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in India’s freedom struggle and acknowledged his lasting impact on tribal identity and rights.
The Chief Secretary lauded the Ranchi Tribal community for their invaluable contribution to the development of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, completing more than 100 years of settlement in the region. He emphasized the importance of understanding community-specific needs to plan development initiatives effectively. He also urged officials to reach out to local communities to ensure the execution of basic amenities in underserved areas. Stressing the importance of skill development, the Chief Secretary encouraged the Ranchi Association to motivate youth to take advantage of various schemes, including the SARATHI Scheme of the Transport Department & SBI, which provides driving training and licenses for girls, and the PM Dakshata Scheme, which offers skill training during school holidays. He underlined that such initiatives would benefit not only individuals and families but also the wider society.
In his address, Mr. Prakash Minj, General Secretary of the Ranchi Association, reiterated that Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary is celebrated across the country as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. He expressed gratitude to the A&N Administration, under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, for supporting a series of events, including sports competitions, organized by the Association to mark the occasion.
Earlier, Mr. Fabiyanus Toppo, President of the Ranchi Association, welcomed the gathering.
