State-level event to be held in Dharamjaigarh on November 15 to mark Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary; week-long celebrations from November 11 to 18 to feature cultural programmes, student activities and exhibitions
TFP Bureau, Raipur, November 11, 2026:Chhattisgarh will observe Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day) on November 15, marking the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda. A state-level programme will be organised in Dharamjaigarh in Raigarh district, while a series of educational, cultural and public awareness activities will be held across the state during Tribal Pride Week from November 11 to 18.
The celebrations aim to highlight the contributions of tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle, their sacrifices against colonial rule and their rich cultural heritage. The initiative also seeks to familiarise the younger generation with tribal history, traditions and indigenous knowledge.
According to directives issued by the Secretary of the Tribal Development Department, exhibition stalls will be set up at the state-level event in Dharamjaigarh. Departments including Health, Women and Child Development, Agriculture and allied sectors, Forest, Energy, Panchayat and Rural Development, and Industries and Employment will showcase welfare schemes, achievements and development initiatives benefiting tribal communities.
The state government, under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has emphasised the need to preserve and promote tribal history, culture and traditional knowledge. The celebrations will highlight the contributions of tribal icons such as Birsa Munda, Chhattisgarh freedom fighter Veer Narayan Singh and tribal leader Veer Gundadhur, whose struggles against colonial exploitation and injustice continue to inspire generations.
As part of Tribal Pride Week, government, private, aided and non-government educational institutions have been asked to organise essay writing, speech, quiz and painting competitions, along with cultural performances and other creative activities. Students, particularly those at the secondary level and above, will be encouraged to participate in programmes focusing on tribal freedom fighters, history, folk traditions and indigenous knowledge.
Educational institutions have also been directed to compile and distribute literature on tribal heritage and freedom fighters. The objective is to help students understand tribal communities’ relationship with nature, traditional lifestyles, community practices, folk arts and their role in the country’s freedom movement.
The exhibitions will also highlight government initiatives in education, healthcare, livelihood generation, agriculture, women’s empowerment, skill development and employment. These presentations are intended to inform visitors about efforts to improve the social and economic conditions of tribal communities.
Chhattisgarh’s tribal heritage, extending from Bastar to Surguja, is reflected in its folk dances, songs, handicrafts, customs and traditional practices rooted in nature conservation. The week-long observance is intended to promote awareness of this cultural diversity and encourage its preservation for future generations.
The concerned departments have been directed to coordinate the programmes and ensure wide publicity through social media and other platforms. They have also been asked to document the activities with photographs and submit detailed reports.
The state government said the observance would go beyond commemorating tribal heroes, seeking to strengthen awareness of their contribution to India’s national identity and promote inclusive development, social harmony and the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh.
