Jharkhand Foundation Day 2023- History, Significance and Statehood

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi greeted the people of Jharkhand on

the state's foundation day. Jharkhand, which celebrates its Foundation Day on

November 15, is a tribute to the victory of dreams, determination and unity.

The lovely state is located in northeastern India and is also known as "The Land

of Forests" or "Bushland." Shri Modi stated that Jharkhand is well-known for its

natural wealth as well as the tribal society's fortitude, bravery, and self-respect.

Jharkhand's people have made significant contributions to the country's growth.

History of Jharkhand Foundation 

• Jharkhand was formed from the southern section of Bihar in 2000, following the passage of the Bihar Reorganisation Act by Parliament. 
• Following Indian independence, the state was partitioned into Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Bihar. This significant shift signifies Jharkhand's historic rise to independence. 
• Birsa Munda, a chief of the tribe who became a member of the tribal rebellion against the British in the Chota Nagpur region in the 1870s, was born on November 15th.
• Jharkhand became an autonomous state in 2000, becoming the 28th addition to India's colourful patchwork. As a result, it became the 28th Indian state. 

How Did Jharkhand Become Its Own State?

• The Chota Nagpur region was divided from the southern portion of Bihar on November 15, 2000, creating the new state of Jharkhand. As a result, the latter became India's 28th state.
• Jharkhand is made primarily of the forests of the Chota Nagpur plateau and Santhal Pargana. 
• The tribals of this state have long wanted a separate state for themselves, as the tribal people had received little socioeconomic benefits following independence.
• They founded the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which continued to protest and lobby the government even after India gained independence in 1947.
• As a consequence of these demands, the government established the Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council in 1995, and eventually, in the year 2000, Jharkhand was formally recognised as a distinct state, meeting the tribal population's desires.
• Hence, Jharkhand Foundation Day is observed on November 15 to remember the state's foundation and to recognise the state's distinct cultural, historical and geographical identity within the Indian subcontinent.

Jharkhand Foundation Day-Significance

• Jharkhand Foundation Day seeks to promote the growth of the state in all spheres of society. 
• Jharkhand has opened the path for tremendous transformations and transformation, from socioeconomic growth to infrastructure and healthcare development. 
• It is a wonderful day when everyone joins together to appreciate the state's culture and traditions.

Jharkhand Statehood 

• The statehood of Jharkhand was the result of a lengthy struggle driven mostly by Adivasis and Scheduled Tribes. 
• The people of Jharkhand received comparatively little socioeconomic advantage from Indian independence, leading to significant dissatisfaction with the Bihar administration, particularly among indigenous peoples. 
• The quest for statehood began in 1912, when a student at St. Columba's College in Hazaribagh suggested it. 
• Then, in 1928, the Christian Tribals Association's Unnati samaj political branch proposed a tribal state in Eastern India, and a memorandum was submitted to Simon's committee. 
• The Jharkhand party, led by Jaipal Singh Munda, proposed a separate Jharkhand state to the States Reorganisation Commission in 1955.  
• In the 1980s, the tribal groups that launched the campaign for independence from Bihar became more violent in their demands. 
• The separatist movement extended to non-tribal populations in the 1990s, eventually leading to the formation of a new state. 
• In 1998, the then-union government decided to bring the bill for the establishment of Jharkhand to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, prompting RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav to declare that the state would be separated over his dead corpse. 
• Finally, in the monsoon session of the Parliament that year, the ruling coalition at the centre led by the Bharatiya Janata Party cleared the Bihar organisation bill. 
• This legislation opened the basis for the formation of a distinct state of Jharkhand.

Facts About Jharkhand 

• The state of Jharkhand is well-known for having an abundance of natural resources, including coal (32% of India), iron, copper (25% of India), mica, bauxite, granite, gold, silver, graphite, magnetite, dolomite, fireclay, quartz, feldspar, and more. 
• More than 29% of the state is covered with forests and woods, which is among the highest percentages in India. 
• The state is still mostly covered with forests. Asian elephant and tiger populations are sustained by forest preserves.
• In Jharkhand, there are three distinct seasons. The most enjoyable time of the year is during the colder months, which run from November to February. 
• Jhumar, Agni, Santhal, and Phagua are some of the state's popular folk dances. Jharkhand literally means "The Land of Jungles."
• Jharkhand has 24 districts with a total area of around 79,716 square kilometres, making it the 15th biggest state in terms of area size. 
• Tourism in Jharkhand is centred around its beautiful waterfalls, picturesque hills, wildlife sanctuary, Panchet Dam on the Damodar River, and holy sites like Rajrappa, Parasnath, and Baidyanath Dham.

• The state is rich in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, copper ore, uranium, mica, bauxite, granite, limestone, silver, and dolomite.
• Several notable festivities are observed by the tribal community, such as the cow festival, Sohrai; the flower festival, Sarhul; and the post-harvest festival, Mage Parab.