DIBRUGARH, Nov 16 - The 142nd birth anniversary of Veer Birsa Munda, the great Indian tribal freedom fighter, was observed today at Sanghati Bhawan, Chowkidinghee here under the joint initiative of the district unit and town unit of All Adivasi Students� Association of Assam.
Birsa Munda, who is revered as Dharti Abba by various Adivasi tribes across the nation is adored and remembered for spearheading the fight against injustice and exploitation of the British and local zamindars in the late 19th century. He was born on November 15, 1875 in Ullihatu village in Khunti district of Jharkhand. His achievements are considered more remarkable for having accomplished before attaining the age of 25. His fight was mainly for rights over land, water and forest.
Today, the freedom fighter is commemorated in the names of the following institutions in Jharkhand, Bihar and elsewhere � Birsa Agricultural University, Birsa Munda Tribal University, Birsa Munda Airport, Birsa Munda Central Lail Birsa College, Khunti, Birsa Institute of Technical Education and several others. His portrait also hangs in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament.
AASAA paid homage to the great tribal freedom fighter by genuflecting before his portrait and showering flowers. Rustom Kujur, secretary of AASAA�s Dibrugarh district led the smriti tarpan. Richa Munda, president of AASAA�s Dibrugarh district hoisted the AASAA flag followed by flag hoisting by the regional AASAA unit bodies. AASAA also took out a procession from Chowkidinghee to Thana Chariali.
Deven 0raon, general secretary of AASAA attended the open session as the chief guest. In his speech, he said that the community is in need of more Birsa Mundas who could lead and reform society. The open session was presided over by Richa Munda, president of AASAA�s Dibrugarh district. Rustom Kujur, the central vice president and district secretary urged upon the gathering to carry forward the fight against all forms of injustice and exploitation in the society.
Social worker Elias Lugun narrated the life story of Birsa Munda. Richa Munda in his concluding speech pointed out certain social evils of the society and called for its eradication. He also called upon the Adivasi community to put up a united fight for rights and justice.