Ranchi, August 4 Thousands of people paid heartfelt tributes to ‘Dishom Guru’ Shibu Soren—the iconic leader of the Jharkhand movement and founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)—on his first death anniversary on Tuesday at Nemra, his ancestral village in Ramgarh district.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Hemant Soren unveiled a 14-foot-tall statue and became emotional while paying his respects. During the ceremony, the CM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth ₹102.5 crore. The Chief Minister stated that this day marks an irreparable loss not only for his family but for the entire state of Jharkhand.
He noted that it was on this day that ‘Dishom Guru’ breathed his last, and the void left by him can never be filled. He added that Shibu Soren dedicated his entire life to protecting *Jal, Jungle, Zameen* (water, forests, and land) and tribal identity; his memories and struggles will continue to inspire future generations.
He remarked that the 14-foot statue installed at Nemra would serve as a medium to connect the new generation with their history and struggles. Today’s youth should know how the people of this region endured exploitation even after independence and how their ancestors waged a long struggle against it. He emphasized that a society can build a better future only by remembering its history.
During his address, the Chief Minister became emotional when he mentioned the memorial of his grandfather, Sobran Manjhi, located near the venue. He recalled that his grandfather had been killed by anti-social elements. Although he had not even been born at that time, such forces still exist in society today. He stated that the answer to such challenges lies in mutual unity, brotherhood, and respect for one another.
The Chief Minister observed that while some people are attempting to divide society, Jharkhand’s strength lies in its unity. He stated that thousands of people have gathered across various parts of the state today to pay tribute to ‘Dishom Guru,’ a testament to the public’s unwavering respect and faith in him. He noted that the dream of a separate Jharkhand state became a reality thanks to the struggles of Dishom Guru and other valiant heroes of the Jharkhand movement; now, the responsibility of taking the state to new heights of development lies with all of us.
He added that the government is striving to ensure that the benefits of schemes reach the last person in line and that everyone participates in the development process. Paying homage to all the martyrs of the Jharkhand movement, the Chief Minister remarked that the state’s future can be strengthened only by drawing inspiration from their struggles.
