With a view to give a memorable tribute to all the greatest leaders and martyrs of Jharkhand who sacrificed their lives for the betterment of society, the ‘sacred soil’ collected from 305 panchayats including 1,266 villages covering all the 18 blocks of Ranchi district reached the State Capital on Saturday.
For the first time, the State government has come up with the concept of collecting sacred soil from the ‘Sarna-Masna’ Sthal of the martyrs. A grand level function in the honour of the martyrs has been planned at the Morhabadi Ground on January 23 from 11 AM onwards.
“After the block level event, the district level programme has been organised to congregate the sacred soil collected from across the blocks. A grand procession will be held to mark the occasion on January 23. Starting from Morhabadi Ground covering all major routes, the procession will reach Jail More Park, where the highest statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda will be decked up soon,” said Ranchi DDC, Divyanshu Jha during the district level programme.
Addressing the gathering that comprised kith and kin of the martyrs’, Minister, Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning CP Singh said, “The State government in association with the Government of India (GoI) has done a commendable work. Nothing could be more appreciating than getting the sacred soil from across the State, which will be used further in Bhagwan Birsa’s carving. Also, the effort will preserve the dying culture and will boost the nationalist sentiments among the young generation.”
“Bhagwan Birsa Munda and several others have not just fought for their existence but for also for their identity. The young generation must know the hidden facts about them as how they countered the pressure of religion change and other social evils,” added Singh.
Similarly, Ranchi MP Ramtahal Choudhary alongwith others termed the project of the State government as the most inspiring gesture. Choudhary said, “The State government has taken up an apt action to honour the sacrifice of the greatest leaders.” Kanke MLA, Jitu Charan Ram shared the details about Bhagwan Birsa Munda Project and the prime reasons behind starting the sacred soil collection movement with the gathering.
“Replicating the idea of Government of Gujarat that collected tonnes of scrap iron to design the world’s tallest statue, the State government here is collecting soil from the native places of the martyrs. Rs. 25 crore has been granted to the State by GoI for this specific project. Also, under the State government scheme, those who takes adequate steps to preserve the tribal culture, Akhras, Dhumkuriyas, Sarna-Masna sthals will be given monetary advantage,” added Ram.
The district level sacred soil collection event organised under the aegis of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) saw the participation of Minister, Department of Urban Development, Housing and Planning CP Singh, Ranchi MP Ramtahal Choudhary, Mandar MLA Gangotri Kujur, Mayor Asha Lakra, Kanke MLA Jitu Charan Ram, Ram Kumar Pahan, Chairman – Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR), Aarti Kujur including other dignitaries.
