146th Birthday of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Celebrated at KISS-DU
KISS Deemed to be-University celebrated the 146th Birthday of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on 15th November, 2021, in blended mode. Shri. Uday Nath Majhi, Indian Railways Accounts Service (IRAS), Former Principal Financial Advisor, Indian Railways, recipient of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vishist Seva Puraskar and Shri.Nayan Chand Hembram, President, Bharatiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh, New Delhi, and founding member of the Academy of Tribal Dialects and Culture, were the distinguished speakers at this event. Among others, members of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC), senior functionaries, and research scholars were part of this event.
In a Special Address, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU threw light on the activities of the University during the Covid-19 pandemic and emphasized the dire need for protecting, promoting, and preserving Adivasi culture and sports. He also said that the statues of tribal heroes like Birsa Munda and Laxman Naik had been installed on the occasion of the 4th Foundation Day of the University, and added that more statues in the names of other tribal heroes would be installed in the days to come.
Dr. Kanhu Charan Mahali, Director General, KISS-DU and Chairman of the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) welcomed and introduced the guests, Shri. Uday Nath Majhi and Shri. Nayan Chand Hembram.
Shri Uday Nath Majhi outlined the contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda in the freedom struggle. He appreciated the efforts of the University authorities for setting up a Research Chair in the name of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He urged the tribal students and research scholars to walk on the footprints of the legendary heroes. Shri Majhi hailed the efforts of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS for his phenomenal philanthropic work for underprivileged tribal children of the society.
In his address, Shri Nayan Chand Hembram highlighted the activities undertaken by Dr. Samanta for the welfare of the 30,000 tribal children, which is exemplary and rare. He emphatically said that the tribal children are at par with the others and they can do miracles, provided they get a suitable platform. Shri Hembram shared his childhood experiences with regard to education and other facilities. In this context, he proposed, KISS should prepare a separate wing for stacking books on Tribal Studies in the University library and suggested that a tribal museum be established.
At the end, both guests expressed their admiration for the Adivasi song performed by the students at the inaugural session and encouraged them to upkeep their rich tribal culture and ethos alive.
Mr. Dula Bankira, a Ph.D. scholar, offered a vote of thanks to all present.