Commemoration of National Icons

Context: The Government has set up three high-level committees chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the 150th anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Birsa Munda, and the centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

About Birsa Munda

• Birsa Munda was a tribal icon and freedom fighter, revered as Bhagwan by Adivasis
• Early Life: He was born on 15th November 1875 in Ulihatu, Jharkhand.
  • Educated in mission schools but rejected colonial culture, embracing tribal traditions.
• Contributions
  • Ulgulan Movement (1899–1900): Mobilised tribes against British rule, landlords, and missionaries.
  • Land Rights: Opposed alienation of tribal lands; demanded restoration of traditional ownership.
    • This led to Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) of 1908, which recognized and protected tribal land rights
  • Social Reformer: Advocated unity, cultural revival, and spiritual awakening among tribals.
  • Martyrdom:while lodged at the Ranchi jail aged just 25.
    

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• He is known as the Iron Man of India, key architect of national unity.
• Early Life: Born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
  • He studied law in England; became a successful barrister before joining the freedom struggle.
• Contributions
  • Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Led peasants against unjust taxation during famine.
  • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Organised farmers’ resistance to increased land revenue.
    • He earned the title “Sardar” during the Bardoli Satyagraha.
  • Karachi Session in 1931: He served as President of the Indian National Congress.
  • Civil Disobedience (1930) & Quit India (1942): Played a frontline role in mass struggles.
  • Post Independence role: First Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
  • Integration of States (1947–49): Unified 565 princely states into the Indian Union.
  • Sardar & Gandhi: He was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi and supported non-violence throughout his political career.
  • Legacy: Commemorated by the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world.
    

About Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• He was a  Statesman, poet, and visionary; served as Prime Minister thrice.
• Early Life: Born on 25th December 1924 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
  • He studied political science and law.
  • He had early involvement in RSS and Jana Sangh.
• Contributions
  • Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests (1998): Declared India’s nuclear capability.
  • Golden Quadrilateral (2001): Launched ambitious national highway project.
  • Governance Reforms: Promoted economic liberalisation and rural development.
  • Recognition: Awarded Bharat Ratna (2015); his birth anniversary marked as Good Governance Day.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Context: Ganesh Chaturthi in its current public form traces back to 1894 in Poona, shaped by socio-religious tensions during colonial rule.

About Ganesh Chaturthi

• Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual 10-day Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and god of wisdom, prosperity, and success
• It is one of India’s most celebrated community festivals, marked by processions, cultural events, and immersion rituals.
• Though an ancient tradition, its public observance as a mass festival was reimagined in the 1890s as a fight against colonialism.

About Bal Gangadhar Tilak

• Tilak (1856–1920), a key nationalist leader, popularised Ganesh Chaturthi as a means of social and political mobilisation.
  • He believed festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi could supply the missing element of a “united religion”, vital for India’s national regeneration.
  • The festival became a medium for uniting different Hindu classes, unlike the elitist Congress of the time.
• Newspapers: Through his newspapers,  Kesari (Marathi) and The Mahratta (English), he criticised colonial policies, reported communal issues, and advocated cultural revival.
• Other Contributions:
  • Apart from Ganesh Chaturthi, Tilak promoted Shivaji Jayanti.
  • He wrote Geeta Rahasya, and gave  the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright” .
  • He transformed the Congress from an elite forum into a mass movement by appealing to religious and cultural unity.

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