Jharkhand Foundation Day 2021: All you need to know
Every year on 15th November, India celebrates Jharkhand Foundation Day. With the advent of the new century, a new state was born in the northeastern heartland of India on 15th November 2000.
Jharkhand derives its name from ‘Jhar’ meaning forest and ‘Khand’ meaning land and is therefore known as ‘The Land of Forest’ or ‘Bushland.’ It was born out of the then Bihar after the Parliament had passed the Bihar Reorganization Act. Here’s looking back at this day that was significant in shaping new India’s socio-political structure.
History behind Jharkhand Foundation Day
Jharkhand had become a separate state when on 15th November 2000, the Chhotanagpur region was divided from the southern part of the then Bihar giving birth to a whole new state or the 28th Indian state.
As many of us know, Chhotanagpur is a plateau region, and currently it comprises half of Jharkhand, while the other half is made up of the forests of Santhal Pargana.
Since independence, the tribal population of this area had been demanding their own state to bring about a change in their socio-economic condition. In fact, just post-independence, in 1947 itself, the tribal people had formed their own Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (Jharkhand Freedom Group) which was responsible for all kinds of protests and appeals to the central government of India. However, it was much later in 1995 that the government paid heed to their demands giving rise to Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council and soon within five more years declared this area as a brand-new state.
Incidentally, the day coincides with the birth anniversary of the tribal leader Birsa Munda (or ‘Bhagwan Birsa’) who had significant contributions behind the making of Jharkhand.
Interesting facts about the 28th Indian state
Between April 2000 and December 2018, Jharkhand drew 113 million dollars' worth of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) equity, that was significant in terms of India’s economic growth.
Jharkhand covers a total area of about 79,716 square kilometres making it the 15th largest state. It also has 24 districts, 260 blocks and 32,620 villages.
The current population of Jharkhand stands at about 3.19 crores. While Ranchi is its capital, unlike many states, it also has a sub capital named Dumka.
The state is the mineral hub of India and is a rich storehouse of coal, iron, copper, limestone, granite, bauxite, mica, uranium, silver and dolomite.
The state of Jharkhand abounds in flora and fauna and has the most number of wildlife sanctuaries in the country. It is also famous for the Panchet Dam on the Damodar river, one of the most sought-after tourist regions of the state.