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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Low-key celebrations mark International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples
Ranchi: The city witnessed mixed scenes on International Day for the World's Indigenous Peoples on Saturday. While rallies and cultural processions hit the streets to flaunt cultural heritage, a sombre mood hung heavy over the memorial of Birsa Munda as many observed the day to honour deceased former CM Shibu Soren. In a symbolic tribute, 151 earthen lamps were lit and floral garlands were placed on Birsa Munda's statue, followed by prayers for all tribal martyrs. "This year is different. Instead of dancing and singing, we are pledging to protect the dreams our ancestors had for this land. The vision that created Jharkhand is being overshadowed. Our forests, water, and land are still under threat," said Bablu Munda, president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti. At the site, community leaders voiced concerns over land grabbing despite protective laws, the erosion of traditional practices, and the lack of access to higher education. "We must stand united against those who exploit our resources while our people live in poverty," said Premshahi Munda, a tribal leader. There was a lively atmosphere at Gossner College as the day was celebrated with music and traditional cuisines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Europe Travel Hack That Saves You Hundreds on Trips! Undo Stalls served millet bread, bamboo shoot curry, alongside bead jewellery, handwoven shawls, and bamboo crafts. The beats of mandar and nagara drums set the pace for energetic folk dances, with performers calling their art "a living textbook" of ancestral stories. Visitors browsed wood carvings, paintings, and bamboo lamps, with many saying they were "taking home a piece of history. " However, statewide celebrations were low-key this year following Shibu's death on August 4. Grand celebrations were planned across the districts and were to be held till August 11, but were called off. "This year's celebration was themed on Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures, focusing on tribal self-reliance and cultural pride. It was planned to organise in a grand way, including various performances by artists showcasing Jharkhand's rich cultural heritage. But due to the death of Shibu Soren and ailing health of the education minister Ramdas Soren, the event was called off," said a source in the IPRD department. Chief minister Hemant Soren paid homage to his father and other tribal heroes on the occasion,. "Although Baba is not physically with us, his struggle, his thoughts, and his ideals will always continue to inspire us. He was not only my father but also the soul of Jharkhand, a symbol of struggle, and the most vocal protector of Jal, Jangal, Jameen. The indigenous communities have shown the world the path to living a happy life in harmony with nature. The life philosophy of the indigenous community begins with nature and ends with nature," Soren wrote on X. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribals march on foot for 100km to demand PESA law in state
1 2 Ranchi: A large group of tribals who reached Ranchi from Gumla covering around 100 km on foot on Monday staged a Raj Bhavan march under the banner of Kendriya Sarna Samiti (KSS) and other organisations to press for implementation of Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Area (PESA) Act in Jharkhand. In Ranchi, the protesters carried out a march from ITI More towards Raj Bhavan, but were stopped by the police some distance away. KSS president Babloo Munda said that PESA law framed in 1996 is important to protect the rights of tribal religious leaders. He said that the law provides for self-rule among tribals and their control over natural resources including jal, jungle and zameen. Chief Pahan Jaglal Pahan said that the act has 17 provisions giving powers to gram sabhas and panchayats. He further said that the act provides authority to local gram sabhas to control water, forest and land utilisation and also the rights to manage and use minor minerals. He added that the approval of gram sabhas is needed for land acquisition, adding it could also solve local disputes under the act. A participant Asok Munda said that the governor should take steps for PESA's implementation in the state. The protestors had sought time to meet the Governor to discuss the demands. When they were unable to meet the governor, they submitted a memorandum at his office. Notably, several political parties have also been demanding that the state govt implement the law at the earliest.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
J'khand bandh disrupts city life, biz incur losses
Ranchi: A statewide Jharkhand Bandh called by several tribal organisations brought parts of Ranchi to a standstill on Wednesday, with the epicentre of protest being the controversial ramp of the Siramtoli flyover. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Protesters alleged that the ramp has encroached upon a Sarna religious site and demanded its immediate removal, citing it as an attack on indigenous identity and sacred traditions. Hundreds of protestors, led by outfits such as the Adivasi Bachao Morcha, marched from Line Tank Road to Albert Ekka Chowk and called on the shopkeepers to down their shutters. The 12-hour bandh, which began at 6 am, disrupted traffic in Lalpur, Dibdih, and Kutchery Chowk, while roadblocks and demonstrations occurred at Piska More and Jail More. In Kanke, effigies were burnt as a symbolic protest. In Boreya, tyres were set ablaze to block roads. Police personnel baton-charged on demonstrators to disperse them from Hinoo Chowk in a bid to clear the road. The demonstrators at least four people were hurt in the lathi charge. Ranchi's business community also bore the brunt of the statewide bandh with Paresh Gattani, president of Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries, estimating that losses ran to the tune of Rs 100 crore. "We have been raising this issue for months now. This government has failed the Adivasis. Our places of worship are being bulldozed in the name of development. We demand the ramp's removal immediately," said Bablu Munda, president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti. Ranchi sub-divisional officer Utkarsh Kumar said, "Emergency services were fully functional. At Hinoo Chowk, the protesters were being removed only to allow the smooth passage of passengers. There was minimal use of force to ensure mobility,"
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribal body wants Siramtoli ramp work to be suspended
1 2 Ranchi: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) on Tuesday directed the Jharkhand govt to immediately halt all construction and inauguration work on the Siramtoli Flyover ramp until a final decision is made, following sustained protests by a section of tribal communities .The controversy centres around the ramp's alignment, which significantly restricts access to the Kendriya Sarna Sthal , tribal's religious site. A narrow 14-foot-wide gap has been left between the ramp and the Sarna ground, which tribal groups argue is insufficient for the scale of their religious processions and Kendriya Sarna Sthal, established in the 1960s by tribal leader Kartik Oraon, is a historic and spiritual site where thousands gather to celebrate Sarhul, one of Jharkhand's most important tribal April 4, the Kendriya Sarna Samiti and Chadri Sarna Samiti submitted a formal petition to the NCST demanding intervention. Responding to this, NCST member Asha Lakra conducted a site inspection on Tuesday along with commission officials and tribal representatives. "The Sarna Sthal is not an ordinary location but a cultural and spiritual heartbeat of Jharkhand's tribal communities. Under Article 338A (8), no construction activity is allowed when a case is under consideration by the commission," Asha said. Angel Lakra, spokesperson of the Kendriya Sarna Samiti, highlighted the site's historical roots, "This sacred place was built in the 1960s by Kartik Oraon for Sarhul celebrations. It's not just land; it's a living piece of our heritage. Any obstruction here is deeply offensive."Asha reiterated the Commission's stance, "Proceeding with construction despite the ongoing case is not just a legal violation; it's a direct affront to tribal religious sentiments. Until the investigation concludes, all activity must cease."Bablu Munda, president of the Kendriya Sarna Samiti, criticised the state govt's handling of the matter, "Despite months of peaceful protests and petitions, the Hemant Soren-led 'Adivasi govt' has shown apathy. The ramp was built under police protection, brushing aside tribal concerns."The Rs 340-crore, 2.3-km-long flyover project includes an elevated road and a cable-stayed bridge. While the govt touts it as a major infrastructure initiative, its clash with tribal religious rights has sparked a significant socio-political debate.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protests over Siromtoli on as construction nears completion
1 2 Ranchi: The controversial ramp of the Siromtoli flyover has reached the final stage of construction under heavy force deployment, even as strong protests by tribal groups continue to mount since January. The primary concern of the tribals' centres around the flyover's ramp, which ends near the Siromtoli Sarna Sthal, a sacred site where they perform their religious rituals, particularly during the Sarhul festival. According to them, the ramp is going to cause inconvenience to lakhs of devotees gathered at the site during the sacred festival. Despite the protests, the construction of the ramp is completed except some minor works, according to a senior official. Speaking to TOI, Manohar Kumar chief engineer of road construction department said, "The construction of the ramp has almost completed except for installing crash barriers to prevent vehicles from veering by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Aged 50-85 With No Life Insurance Could Get This Reassured Get Quote Undo off the bridge. That apart, another few works including load testing of the flyover is also pending. So, the inauguration date of the flyover has not been finalised yet but the works will complete soon. The construction of the flyover started in September 2022." Another official of the department said that the flyover is most likely to be inaugurated by June this year. As the construction is nearing its completion, tribal leaders continued to express their anger and discontent over the govt's adamant attitude towards their concern. The 2.3 km long project, which consists an elevated road and a cable-stayed bridge, is being constructed at a cost of Rs 340 crores. The flyover connecting Siromtoli Chowk and Mecon Chowk is expected to smoothen traffic flow once operational. Babloo Munda, president of Kendriya Sarna Samiti, told TOI that the Hemant Soren govt has betrayed the tribals and crushed their hopes. "We elected him as the chief minister for the second term with very high hopes that he would safeguard our rights, but he did the exact opposite. The ramp construction near the Sarna Sthal has narrowed down the approach way, which will pose a risk of stampede during the Sarhul from next year. With this, the govt has put the lives of tribals in jeopardy as well," Munda added. The tribal groups took many activities in the past four months including forming human chains stretching from Morabadi ground to the state assembly, and a dawn to dusk Ranchi bandh in April, to draw attention to the controversial project. During the recent budget session of the Jharkhand assembly taking note of strong protests by the tribal community, speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto directed the treasury benches to ensure that the community does not face any hurdles in celebrating their festivals due to construction of Siromtoli flyover.
