Birsa Munda Statue Installed at Joda

By Nirod Nayak

Joda/Barbil, Nov.15 : The Statue of freedom fighter and legendary reformist tribal leader Bhagawan Birsa Munda was inaugurated today at the Kalapahada Chowk of Joda Municipality. The Statue, installed by Jindal Steel & Power, is seven feet tall and crafted from one single black granite stone.

The statue was unveiled by Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) and President of Flag Foundation of India, the Padma Shri Tulasi Munda, the reputed social worker, and Smt. Shallu Jindal, the Chairperson of the JSP Foundation & Chancellor of OP Jindal University.

This momentous occasion was held as a part of the grand Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas Celebration.

Addressing hundreds  of tribal people , dressed in traditional costume and as many local people,  Mr Naveen  Jindal said, “Sacrifice  of the  Great freedom fighter  Birsa Munda to free India from British Rule  is  a  wonderful example of unwavering  patriotism. Installation of this magnificent statue will serve as a perpetual source of inspiration for the young members of our local community encouraging them to dedicate themselves to the noble cause of nation-building and advancement of our tribal society. “

“We at JSP always believe in the holistic improvement of Quality of Life of  local communities and therefore  pursue  multidimensional development projects  for the  tribal communities  in the fields of health,  education, sports, skilling  and sustainable livelihood options and  other such social development projects.  Such a comprehensive approach ensures that every facet of the community’s well-being is nurtured and enhanced,” he further added.

Paying homage to the revered freedom fighter Padma Shri Tulasi Munda made a clarion call to rename Kalapahada Chowk in Joda Municipality as Veer Birsa Munda Chowk. “JSP has significant contributions to various development activities in this tribal predominant region especially in the field of education, health and sports,” she added.

Remembering the heroism of the Patriot and Reformist Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Smt Shallu Jindal, the Chairperson of JSP Foundation reiterated her commitment to improve the Human Development Index in the tribal predominant region of the Country. She extolled the contribution of Padma Shri Tulsi Munda in the field of education and human rights and said that JSP foundation is bent upon to universalize health care, quality education, Skilling and sports development in the Joda, Barbil and Deojhar region. She also added that “Let’s honor the legacy of a visionary leader who championed the rights of the tribal communities. May his commitment to justice and equality inspire us to strive for a more inclusive society.”

The Programme was organised by Adivasi Ho Samaj, a prominent tribal organisation, was attended by several notable individuals, including Shri Jagdish Prasad Sahoo,  Chairman of Joda Municipality;  Shri Dhanjanjay Siddhu, former MLA, Shri Ashish Pandey, Head of Slurry & Raw Material at JSP, Prashant Kumar Hota, President and Group Head of CSR & Education, JSP Shri Purushotham M D, Unit Head at JSP Barbil, Shri Pramod Kumar Patra, Unit Head at Kasia Mines, Kamalanka Kanta Nanda, Unit Head at Tensa Mines, Shri Asish Mohanty, HR Head, as well as Shri Sanjeeb Munda, President, Shri Jena Gagrai, General Secretary, and other members from Adivasi Ho Samaja.

Choudhury Pranavananda Das, Mr. Mukesh Agrawal, Mr. Vargil Lakra, Mr. Rabinarayan Mahapatra, Mr. Jadumani Mahanta and other employees of JSP, Barbil and several local change makers contributed significantly for success of the Programme.