Ranchi, August 9 (HS). Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar said that we should all be proud of the culture of the tribal community and take a pledge to preserve it. It is necessary to implement the traditional governance system of the tribal community in Jharkhand. Jharkhand is the only state in the country where the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act is not applicable. He urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to implement the PESA Act soon. The Governor was speaking at the festival organized at Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan in the capital Ranchi on World Tribal Day on Friday.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar said that Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda is a source of inspiration not only for Jharkhand but for the entire country. He created history in his short life and sacrificed everything to protect the motherland. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as Tribal Pride Day across the country.
Tribal community has a glorious history
The Governor said that the land of Jharkhand has been the land of heroes. Great sons like Veer Budhu Bhagat, Sidhu-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phoolo-Jhano and Jatra Oraon, born in this soil, sacrificed their lives to protect their motherland. The history of our tribal community has been glorious. Their role in the Indian freedom struggle has been unique. The art, culture, folk literature and customs preserved by the tribes are famous not only in our country but all over the world. Their environmental knowledge and approach to co-existence with nature is inspirational for all of us.
32 tribes live in Jharkhand
The Governor said that about 27 percent of Jharkhand's population of more than 3.25 crores are tribal communities. 32 scheduled tribes live here. This community is an integral part of our society, which has further enriched the diversity of our country through its unique identity and culture. Even today our tribal community is facing many challenges. We need to work more on basic issues like education, health and employment. We have to ensure that our tribal brothers and sisters get the full benefit of the welfare schemes run by the government and they remain aware of their rights.
Become an inspiration by pursuing higher education
The Governor said that history is a witness to the fact that many people from our tribal community have received education even in adverse circumstances. Our country's President and former Governor of Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu also received higher education in adverse circumstances and she became the first woman from her village to take admission in college. She is an inspiration for everyone. Today we have a better education environment than before. Therefore, more and more people should receive higher education and emerge as a source of inspiration in the society through their work.