ICAR-CIRCOT Organizes Online Lecture on “Educational initiatives that highlight the legacy of tribal freedom fighters” under Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada

As part of the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bagwan Birsa Munda under Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai organized an online lecture on “Educational Initiatives that Highlight the Legacy of Tribal Freedom Fighters” on 11th November 2025. The lecture was delivered by Dr. T. Senthilkumar, Senior Scientist, and attended by more than 40 tribal youth, women entrepreneurs, and innovators.

In his lecture, Dr. Senthilkumar spoke about the inspiring life of Bagwan Birsa Munda, shedding light on his remarkable contributions to India’s freedom struggle against British colonial rule and his sacrifice in defending the land, culture, and dignity of tribal communities. He highlighted various government initiatives undertaken to honor the legacy of this great tribal leader and to realize his vision of self-reliant and educated tribal people. These include the establishment of educational institutions named after him, such as Birsa Munda Tribal University (Gujarat), Birsa Agricultural University (Ranchi, Jharkhand), Birsa College, Khunti, and Birsa Institute of Technology, Sindri, among others.

Dr. Senthilkumar also highlighted the contributions of other eminent tribal freedom fighters such as Tantya Bhil, Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, Rani Durgavati, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone. He emphasized that their inspiring stories have now been incorporated into NCERT textbooks to ensure that younger generations learn about their courage, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment to the nation. He further discussed the establishment of Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums across India by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which depict the life and legacy of these heroes. He made special mention of the museum inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Ranchi, Jharkhand, dedicated to the memory of Bagwan Birsa Munda.

In addition, Dr. Senthilkumar highlighted the role of Tribal Welfare Departments and Tribal Research Centers, such as the Tribal Research Institute and Tribal Museum in Nawada, Dehradun, in preserving and promoting tribal knowledge and heritage. He also referred to museums like the Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh) and Araku Tribal Museum (Visakhapatnam) for their efforts in showcasing the tribal way of life to the public.

He explained the significance of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada, emphasizing how various educational institutions including schools, colleges, and universities organize events to pay tribute to tribal freedom fighters and raise awareness about tribal culture among youth. Dr. Senthilkumar also informed participants about various government scholarships and fellowships available for tribal students at school, college, and university levels to support their educational and research pursuits.

The session served as an inspiring and informative platform that deepened the participants’ understanding of the rich legacy of tribal freedom fighters and the government’s continued efforts toward tribal education and empowerment. It motivated the participants, especially the tribal youth, to take pride in their heritage, pursue higher education, and actively contribute to the nation’s progress.