Bhagwan Birsa Munda Bhawan (Tribal Research and Training Centre), All India Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in collaboration with Shyam Lal College, Delhi University organized a special lecture series to commemorate the Tribal Pride Year and 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The event, organized in two sessions, remembered the contributions, valor and sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters. Academicians, researchers, students and representatives associated with tribal welfare participated in the program.
The program started with the traditional lighting of the lamp. Shri Vishnu Kant, All India Joint General Secretary of All India Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, introduced the topic of the lecture series and informed about the objectives and upcoming plans of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Bhawan (Tribal Research and Training Centre), New Delhi.
First Session: New Perspectives on Tribal Freedom Movements
In the first session, Dr. Anand Burdhan, Senior Professor, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Delhi was present as the keynote speaker. Shri Vishnu Prakash Tripathi, Executive Editor, Dainik Jagran Group presided over the session.
Dr. Anand Burdhan in his address underlined the need to look at the tribal resistance movements against British colonialism from a new perspective. He said that these struggles could not be limited to just land and resources, but were broader civilizational struggles fought to protect our cultural identity, traditional worship practices and a way of life based on Indianness. He also said that research on tribal movements should not be limited to colonial archives only, but it requires detailed studies at the ground level.
Session Chairman Shri Vishnu Prakash Tripathi said that even today the tribal communities of India have preserved their basic life values and cultural traditions. He said that it is the responsibility of the mainstream media to convey these traditions to the wider community, as media content has a significant impact on society.
Second Session: Tribal Contribution to Indian Civilization and Security
In the second session, Shri Satyendra Singh ji, National President of All India Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram was present as the keynote speaker. Major General (Retd) Dhruv C. Katoch, Director, India Foundation chaired the session.
Shri Satyendra Singh ji remembered the unforgettable contributions of tribal freedom fighters across the country. He said that the roots of Indian civilization lie in the traditions, customs and worship methods of the tribal communities, hence their preservation is extremely important.
Major General (Retd) Dhruv C. Katoch, in his presidential address, said that tribal communities are an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of India. He mentioned that tribal communities have fought bravely against invaders from time to time and even today they are playing an important role in the internal and external security of India. His contribution should be respected at the national level.
The program concluded with a call for more in-depth research on tribal history, to promote positive presentation of tribal culture in the media and to preserve the legacy of Lord Birsa Munda and other tribal heroes.