Ranchi/Khunti (Jharkhand), March 28 Birsa Munda's life and sacrifice continue to inspire generations, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said on Saturday after paying floral tributes at the statue of the tribal icon during his visit to Khunti district.
During the visit, Radhakrishnan interacted with the descendants of Birsa Munda at Ulihatu.
"After assuming the office of the Vice President, I am deeply moved to once again visit Ulihatu, the sacred birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. I pay my deepest respects to this great freedom fighter, whose life and sacrifice continue to inspire generations," he posted on X.
Radhakrishnan also said, "I fondly recall the day I took the oath as the governor of Jharkhand. On that very day, I had travelled to Ulihatu, an experience that remains profoundly meaningful."
Radhakrishnan was the governor of Jharkhand between 2023 and 2024.
"The visionary decision taken in 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate November 15, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, has elevated national awareness and pride in our tribal heritage.
"I also had the privilege of being present with the prime minister at Khunti when he announced the PM-JANMAN scheme, a transformative initiative aimed at protecting and empowering particularly vulnerable tribal communities," he said.
Radhakrishnan further said, "This two-pronged approach of instilling pride and awareness about the rich legacy and struggles of tribal freedom fighters across generations, while simultaneously empowering tribal communities during this Amrit Kaal, truly embodies the realisation of the rights and dignity for which Bhagwan Birsa Munda fought so valiantly."
The Vice President arrived at the Ranchi airport earlier in the day and was welcomed by Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, Union minister Sanjay Seth and state minister Sudivya Kumar.
Radhakrishnan also attended the 15th convocation of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ranchi, in the afternoon, where he felicitated the meritorious students.
Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice President encouraged them to choose character over shortcuts and purpose over profit.
Ethical leadership, integrity and trust are the foundations on which enduring institutions are built, he added.
Radhakrishnan said management education must go beyond boardrooms and balance sheets.
"When I say go beyond balance sheets, do not think balance sheet is not important. It is important but your mind and dedication should go beyond balance sheets," he said, while urging students never to apply short-cut methods in life.
"Short-cut methods may give you big success in the beginning but one day, it will be a disaster," he added.
The Vice President also launched IIM Ranchi's virtual reality case repository, which aims to transform the way case studies are taught and understood, making learning more practical, immersive, and aligned with real-world business environments.