New Delhi : A special event under the “Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat” program, held in conjunction with Sarhul Mahotsav 2025, by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand, marked a significant step in celebrating India’s indigenous heritage in New Delhi.
The event, marking the 150th Birth Anniversary Year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda (Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh), celebrated tribal heritage at the national level. It was inaugurated by Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, and Sanjay Seth, Union Minister of State for Defence, in the presence of Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR along with other key officials of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Government of Jharkhand along with over 560 tribal representatives from Jharkhand.
S.P Singh Baghel, in his address, emphasized the significance of preserving India’s tribal culture that encompasses their local languages, music, food, and traditions defining their rich heritage. He articulated that the recording and documentation of “Lok Bhasha, Bhoosha, Bhojan, Sangeet” is imperative for keeping the nation’s heritage alive for future generations. While commemorating the valour and sacrifice of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in his 150th birth anniversary year, Prof. Baghel particularly acknowledged the invaluable contributions of tribal communities in the struggle against British colonialism, especially in the fight to conserve essential resources of “Jal–Jangal–Jameen” (water, forest, land). He highlighted how Adivasis, being the most indigenous group, have played a crucial role in environmental protection.
Prof. Baghel noted that the Adivasis’ environmental conservation efforts are not merely part of their legacy but are vital to the overall ecological health of mother earth. He commended the community’s profound connection to land and environment, which has enabled them to preserve natural resources across generations. “If we had learnt the values like respect for nature from the tribal way of living, problems like global warming, ecological imbalance and ozone depletion may not have become so serious”, added Prof. Baghel. He urged tribal communities to prioritize their children's education, as it is the cornerstone for societal upliftment and progress.