Raipur November 15, 2025/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, who arrived to participate in the Tribal Pride Day program organized on the auspicious occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Abba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, was warmly welcomed today at Jagdalpur’s City Ground by the heads of various tribal communities. During this, the Chief Minister was honored with a traditional Sihaadi garland, turban (safa), and a huge Gajmala, which filled the entire event with cultural enthusiasm.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai formally launched the Tribal Pride Day program by offering prayers to the presiding deity of Bastar, Maa Dantewari, and Bhagwan Birsa Munda, along with tribal deities, at City Ground, Jagdalpur. Thereafter, in his address, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the Chhattisgarh government is fully committed to the overall development of the tribal community.
Recalling the historic national steps taken for tribal upliftment and honor, the Chief Minister said that three major milestones have been laid in the direction of tribal welfare. He remembered the visionary leadership of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, under whose tenure the tribal-majority states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were formed. The Chief Minister described this as a transformative decision to honor tribal identity and pave the way for their rapid development. Additionally, Vajpayee ji also formed a separate ‘Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ to protect and promote tribal interests. Chief Minister Shri Sai also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of the country, Honorable Shri Narendra Modi ji, who established a historic tradition of honoring tribal heroes across the nation by declaring the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda ji as ‘Tribal Pride Day’.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Birsa Munda, revered by the tribal community as ‘Dharti Abba’, initiated an unprecedented revolution against the British colonial rule and local exploiters at the end of the 19th century, which is known in history as ‘Ulgulan’.
It is noteworthy that Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875. At a very young age, he began opposing the British who were snatching away the traditional ‘Khuntkatti’ (community ownership) land rights of the tribals and imposing excessive taxes. Birsa was also a great social reformer. His efforts awakened a wonderful consciousness of unity, self-pride, and self-respect in the tribal society. The Government of India, in honor of his contribution to the nation and society, has announced the observance of November 15, his birthday, every year as ‘Tribal Pride Day’. This day is an occasion to remember the invaluable sacrifices of tribal communities in the freedom struggle.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government is continuously moving forward in the direction of tribal community’s upliftment with this very resolve and commitment.
In the program, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap urged the youth and future generations to draw inspiration from the history of the ancestors of the tribal community, their contribution to the freedom struggle, and social reforms. He said that it is our collective responsibility to advance the preservation and continuous promotion of tribal culture by following the ideals of these great personalities.
In the program, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Deo highlighted the struggles and contributions of revolutionary tribal leaders of the Bastar region like Martyr Gundadhur, Debri Dhur, Gend Singh, etc. He said that these great personalities made immense sacrifices for the freedom struggle and the protection of Bastar’s water, forests, and land. He added that they continuously strived for the unity and upliftment of the tribal community in the Bastar region.
The program was also addressed by Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Deo and Divisional President of Tribal Pride Society Shri Tuluram Kashyap. On this occasion, Bastar MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Chitrakot MLA Shri Vinayak Goyal, Jagdalpur Mayor Shri Sanjay Pandey, Zilla Panchayat President Smt. Vedvati Kashyap, along with other public representatives, and IG Shri Sundarraj P, Collector Shri Haris S, Superintendent of Police Shri Shailabh Sinha, CEO Zilla Panchayat Shri Prateek Jain, along with other officials, and a large number of dignitaries and citizens from the tribal community were present.
