1. Key Takeaways

November 15 is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda (1875–1900), one of India’s most iconic tribal freedom fighters.

• The Government of India is establishing 11 Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums across the country to document tribal resistance movements and cultural heritage.

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs promotes tribal culture through digital initiatives like Adi Sanskriti, Adi Vaani, and Tribal Digital Document Repository.

2. Introduction

• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas honours Birsa Munda’s legacy as a freedom fighter, spiritual leader, and champion of tribal self-rule.

• 2024–25 is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to mark 150 years of Birsa Munda’s birth.

• From November 1 to 15, a nationwide celebration highlights the sacrifices of tribal leaders and showcases India’s tribal cultural diversity.

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is organizing cultural events, workshops, exhibitions, and setting up museums to preserve tribal resistance history.

3. Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum Initiative

A. Rationale

• Tribal communities played a crucial but under-recognised role in resisting British rule.

• Many revolts—Santhal, Munda, Bhil, Gond, Koya uprisings—shaped India’s struggle for freedom.

• Museums aim to:

  • Preserve tribal history

  • Educate the public

  • Document tribal struggles and culture

  • Promote social inclusion and cultural pride

B. Funding & Implementation

• Implemented under Support to Tribal Research Institutes Scheme.

• Funding shared between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and respective state governments.

4. List of Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums

Four museums already inaugurated:

• Chhattisgarh (Raipur)

• Jharkhand (Ranchi)

• Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara, Jabalpur)

5. Important Museums (For Mains Examples)

A. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Museum (Raipur, Chhattisgarh)

• Inaugurated: 1 November 2024.

• Cost: ₹53.13 crore (₹42.47 crore by MoTA).

• Features:

  • 650 sculptures across 16 galleries

  • AI-photo booth, digital screens, projection maps

  • Exhibits on tribal revolts: Halba Kranti, Bhumkal Kranti, Sarguja Kranti etc.

  • Depicts Veer Narayan Singh’s fight against British grain hoarding (1856–57).

B. Bhagwan Birsa Munda Museum (Ranchi, Jharkhand)

• Inaugurated in 2021.

• Showcases:

  • Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan (Great Tumult)

  • Tribal self-rule and community land rights (Khuntkatti)

  • His spiritual leadership and martyrdom at age 25.

C. Badal Bhoi Museum (Chhindwara, MP)

• Inaugurated in 2024.

• Highlights:

  • Badal Bhoi’s protests against British forest laws (1923, 1930)

  • His imprisonment and death in 1940.

D. Raja Shankar Shah & Kunwar Raghunath Shah Museum (Jabalpur, MP)

• Inaugurated in 2024.

• Showcases:

  • Gond rulers who used poetry as resistance

  • Their execution by the British in 1858.

6. Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh – Nationwide Activities

• Aim: Celebrate tribal identity, culture, languages, and contributions to the freedom struggle.

State-wise Highlights

Jammu & Kashmir

• Workshops on PM-JANMAN, digital literacy, and legal awareness.

Meghalaya

• Cultural performances, floral tributes at Shillong.

Rajasthan

• EMRS schools conducted painting/essay/speech competitions.

Andhra Pradesh

• AP TRI held a major tribal cultural festival.

Sikkim

• Workshops for tribal language teachers, youth sports events.

Manipur

• Cleanliness drives and tributes at Rani Gaidinliu Market and Jadonang Park.

Odisha

• Birsa Munda pavilion, photo exhibitions, student programs.

Gujarat

• National symposium at Ekta Nagar attended by 600+ scholars.

7. Other Government Initiatives Promoting Tribal Culture

1. Adi Sanskriti

• Digital learning platform for tribal artforms.

• Provides:

  • 100+ courses

  • 5,000+ documents on tribal culture.

2. Adi Vaani (AI-based tool)

• Real-time speech + text translation between:

  • Hindi, English

  • Mundari, Gondi, Bhili, Santhali, Garo, Kui

• Helps preserve oral traditions.

3. Tribal Digital Document Repository

• Online archival portal of tribal research resources.

4. Varnamala & Oral Literature Initiative

• Publishes rhymes, stories, and documents oral tribal literature.

5. Indigenous Knowledge Documentation

• Covers tribal healing practices, languages, agriculture, art.

6. Aadi Mahotsav (National Festival)

• Celebrates tribal art, craft, cuisine, and entrepreneurship.

7. Tribal Craft Melas & Cultural Festivals

• Regular craft fairs, dance festivals, art workshops with government support.

8. Conclusion (Mains-ready)

• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas reinforces the historical and cultural significance of India’s Scheduled Tribes.

• Museums and digital initiatives integrate tribal history into mainstream national consciousness.

• These efforts honour tribal contributions to the freedom struggle while promoting cultural preservation, social inclusion, and national unity in alignment with Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat