Kalinganagar, February 11, 2025: Tata Steel Foundation (TSF)
commemorated tribal freedom fighter Baba Tilka Majhi Jayanti in collaboration
with local tribal communities during a day-long prayer service at Giridhardahi in
Lembo Panchayat, Sukinda Block of Jajpur district.
The event commenced with the inauguration of a multi-language library, open to
all community members. TSF, along with its long-standing partner, the Adivasi
Socio Education and Cultural Association, which facilitates tribal language
classes in the region, hosted the inaugural ceremony of the library. This library
aims to promote tribal languages by instilling pride and creating spaces for
conversation of different tribal languages.
The library currently has books in Ho, Munda, Oraon and Santhal languages,
which will further promote reading habits to acquire knowledge and wisdom,
poised to help one navigate through life, while retaining their identity through
language.
The event was attended by Shri Sudarsan Hembrom, General Manager, NTPC;
Shri Udaynath Majhi, Retired IRS; Shri Hrushikesh Murmu, RI; and Smt Kalpana
Patra, Sarpanch of Lembo Panchayat, among several other tribal leaders and
dignitaries.
Nearly 700 tribal language teachers, students, youth, and community leaders
from the surrounding villages participated in the commemoration services. Some
students performed a short skit highlighting the significance of education. A few
members of the Santali community who have consistently coordinated welfare
and development work in their respective villages were also felicitated.
Baba Tilka Majhi was a tribal freedom fighter known for leading the first armed
rebellion against the British in 1784, marking the beginning of the Santhals'
historical record.