Union Ministers Celebrate Tribal Heritage at ‘Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat’ Event in New Delhi

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand, organized a grand cultural event under the “Hamari Parampara, Hamari Virasat” initiative in New Delhi today. The event, held in conjunction with Sarhul Mahotsav 2025, commemorated the 150th birth anniversary year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda (Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh) and celebrated India’s rich tribal heritage at the national level.

Union Ministers Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel (Minister of State for Panchayati Raj) and Shri Sanjay Seth (Minister of State for Defence) inaugurated the event, joined by senior officials, including Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, and Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR. The event witnessed the participation of over 560 tribal representatives from Jharkhand, showcasing their unique cultural traditions.

Emphasizing Tribal Heritage & Environmental Conservation

Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel stressed the importance of preserving India’s tribal culture, which includes languages, music, food, and traditions. He highlighted the need for documenting and recording tribal customs to ensure their survival for future generations. He also praised the contributions of Adivasi communities in safeguarding Jal, Jangal, Jameen (water, forests, and land) and their role in protecting the environment.

“If we had learned values like respect for nature from tribal traditions, global challenges like climate change, ozone depletion, and ecological imbalance could have been avoided,” said Prof. Baghel, urging tribal communities to prioritize education for societal upliftment.

Honoring Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s Legacy

Addressing the gathering, Shri Sanjay Seth reflected on the inspiring legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and praised Jharkhand’s tribal communities for their cultural contributions. He highlighted the Tribal Museum in Ranchi, built at the site where Birsa Munda was imprisoned during British rule, as a significant center of inspiration.

Shri Seth noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision connects heritage with development, and the celebration of Sarhul festival in Delhi sent a strong message about conserving natural resources. He emphasized that tribal traditions reflect the philosophy that closeness to nature leads to prosperity and happiness.

Safeguarding Tribal Culture for Future Generations

Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, emphasized the importance of preserving tribal music, folklore, and traditions, calling them “invaluable treasures” at risk of fading away. He announced that over 3,000 villages in Jharkhand have pledged to protect their cultural heritage, with efforts underway to position Jharkhand as a national model for cultural conservation.

The program also included:

• Traditional Mundari dance by the Santhali community
• Munda tribal storytelling sessions
• Discussions on Gram Sabhas’ role in heritage conservation
• Insights from tribal leaders on grassroots governance

About ‘Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat’ Initiative

Launched on January 26, 2025, by the Jharkhand Department of Panchayati Raj, this initiative integrates tribal heritage with India’s governance framework. More than 3,000 villages have already pledged to preserve traditional self-governance and cultural practices. The initiative aligns with the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act), which empowers Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas to protect tribal customs and traditions.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has formed a high-level committee to oversee the initiative’s implementation, ensuring that India’s tribal heritage and self-governance structures continue to thrive.