Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Birsa Munda

Ranchi, Aug 13: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today paid tribute to freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

"Instead of making fun and frolic in his youthful days, Birsa Munda fought for Bharat Mata. He also fought against social evils," Singh said.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Raghubar Das and other ministers and senior BJP leaders, Singh paid his respect to the tribal legend at his birth place in Ulihatu, in Khunti district, about 75 km from here.

He met Munda's descendants, who expressed delight at the arrival of the Home Minister.

"Lakhs of people suffered in the struggle for Independence. Birsa Munda joined the struggle at a young age. He also fought against social evils," Singh said as he recalled Chandrasekhar Azad's sacrifice of life at the age of 26 and Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran days.

The Centre would search unsung heroes, who struggled for freedom and incorporate them in the history books, he said. Stating that there would be a year-long celebration to mark the 70th Independence Day, Singh called upon the people to join in efforts of eradicating poverty and unemployment and take the country among developed countries.

Singh said nobody could make allegation of corruption against the BJP-led government at Centre. Singh added India holds its head high at international level and its credibility has risen.

Reminding them of Birsa Munda's fight against social evils, Singh asked people to make Swachch Bharat mission a success. Cleanliness is next to godliness, he said. Chief Minister Das said his government would fulfil Birsa Munda's dreams.

Jharkhand has abundance of mineral resources which would be utilised to fulfil the dreams of Birsa Munda, Das said on the occasion.

All landless tribals would get pucca houses, he said, adding training would be imparted to the youth and employment would be given in the state.

He also announced to make Birsa Munda's village an "ideal village", renovating 71 houses into pucca houses and providing basic amenities to the villagers.

PTI