“Lord Birsa Munda is the pride and represents the identity of India”: Prof. Chakrawal

Bilaspur: A one-day national seminar in Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (a Central University) on November 15, 2022 under the joint aegis of the Department of Anthropology and Tribal Development and Department of History of the University. This seminar was organized as a part of Tribal Pride Week (from 15 to 21 November) celebrating the 147th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the tribal pride of the Freedom Struggle, 2022.

Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Alok Kumar Chakrawal said in his address that it is our responsibility to convey the contribution of the tribal pride of freedom struggle, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, to the youth. The life of the great freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda gives the message of valor, high ideals and moral values. He said that young Bhagwan Birsa Munda single-handedly sounded the clarion call of revolution against the unjust and oppressive British rule.

The Vice-Chancellor said that the people of our tribal society, who consider nature as a deity, have contributed significantly to our freedom movement. Bhagwan Birsa Munda never bowed down before the oppressive British rule and raised the voice of resistance. The freedom movement got direction and momentum under his leadership. 

The Chief Guest, Vaibhav Surange, Head of All India Youth Affairs, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Nagpur said that we have to bring a humane change in our attitude towards the forest dwelling vanvasis of our nation. Due to the approach and history written by the British, many anomalies have arisen in the country, the victims of which have been the Indian forest dwellers. He also mentioned all the provisions related to the protection of forest dweller vanvasis mentioned in the Indian Constitution. He said that the vanvasi way of life is the basic culture and civilization of India.