President Murmu honours Birsa Munda, greets Jharkhand on Foundation Day
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu — India's first tribal President and former Governor of Jharkhand — marked 15 November with heartfelt tributes to Birsa Munda and greetings to Jharkhand on its Foundation Day, calling the occasion an opportunity to honour tribal heritage while advancing inclusive development.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Birsa Munda and greeted Jharkhand on its Foundation Day on 15 November .
Jharkhand was carved out of southern Bihar as India's 28th state on 15 November 2000 under the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000 .
15 November also marks the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda , observed nationally as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas .
President Murmu served as Jharkhand's first female and longest-serving Governor from 2015 to 2021 .
She is the first person from a tribal community to serve as President of India .
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, 15 November 2026, paid solemn homage to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda and extended warm greetings to the people of Jharkhand on their Foundation Day, expressing hope that the state's residents carry it to new heights of development and prosperity.
The Significance of 15 November
Jharkhand Statehood Day — observed annually on 15 November — marks the day the region was carved out of southern Bihar to become India's 28th state in 2000 under the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000. The date also coincides with the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the revered tribal freedom fighter, which the nation observes as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas — a day dedicated to celebrating the heritage and contributions of tribal communities.
What President Murmu Said
Taking to X, President Murmu wrote: 'On the sacred occasion of the birth anniversary of Dharti Aba, Lord Birsa Munda, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. This day is an opportunity to remember our rich tribal heritage and the historic contributions of tribal communities to the nation.'
She added: 'I hope that all fellow citizens will preserve our invaluable heritage while moving forward on the path of inclusive development.'
In a separate post on X, the President also paid tribute to Jharkhand's cultural identity, noting: 'This land, home to divine figures such as Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda and great heroes such as Sidho-Kanhu, has a distinctive identity rooted in its rich tribal culture, vibrant folk traditions, and natural and mineral wealth.' She expressed hope that Jharkhand's 'hardworking and talented residents, cherishing their rich heritage, will take the state to new heights of development and prosperity.'
Murmu's Deep Ties to Jharkhand
President Murmu's sentiments carry particular weight given her personal connection to the state. She served as Jharkhand's first female Governor — and its longest-serving one — from 2015 to 2021. She is also the first person from a tribal community to hold the office of President of India, making her tribute to Birsa Munda and the tribal legacy of Jharkhand especially resonant.
Context and Legacy
Birsa Munda, born on 15 November 1875, led the Ulgulan uprising against British colonial rule and landlord exploitation in the late 19th century, becoming a symbol of tribal resistance and self-determination. His legacy remains central to Jharkhand's political and cultural identity, and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas was formally declared a national observance in 2021 to institutionalise recognition of tribal contributions to India's freedom struggle. This year's observance takes place as Jharkhand completes another year of statehood, with ongoing debates around tribal land rights, mineral wealth governance, and development equity in the region.
Point of View
Her voice on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is structurally different from that of any other constitutional office-holder. Yet the day also surfaces an unresolved tension: Jharkhand remains among India's poorest states despite extraordinary mineral wealth, and the gap between honouring tribal heritage and delivering equitable development outcomes continues to widen. The institutionalisation of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021 was a symbolic step, but critics argue that land rights, displacement, and forest governance — the material concerns of Jharkhand's tribal communities — deserve equal policy urgency alongside the annual commemorations.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jharkhand Foundation Day and when is it observed?
Jharkhand Foundation Day marks the creation of Jharkhand as India's 28th state on 15 November 2000, when it was carved out of southern Bihar under the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000. It is observed annually on 15 November.
What is Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas?
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas is a national observance held on 15 November to commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda and honour the contributions of tribal communities to India's history and freedom struggle. It was formally declared a national day of observance in 2021.
Why is President Droupadi Murmu's tribute to Jharkhand significant?
President Murmu served as Jharkhand's first female and longest-serving Governor from 2015 to 2021, and she is the first person from a tribal community to hold the office of President of India. Her personal and constitutional connection to the state gives her tribute particular weight beyond routine protocol.
Who was Birsa Munda?
Birsa Munda was a tribal freedom fighter born on 15 November 1875, who led the Ulgulan uprising against British colonial rule and landlord exploitation in the late 19th century. He is revered as 'Dharti Aba' — Father of the Earth — and remains a defining symbol of tribal resistance and identity in Jharkhand.
What did President Murmu say on Jharkhand Foundation Day?
President Murmu expressed hope that Jharkhand's 'hardworking and talented residents, cherishing their rich heritage, will take the state to new heights of development and prosperity.' She also highlighted the state's identity rooted in its tribal culture, folk traditions, and natural and mineral wealth, paying tribute to figures including Birsa Munda and Sidho-Kanhu.
