Junglee Birhor, a septuagenarian member of a primitive tribal community will unfurl the tricolour in his village in Jharkhand.
RANCHI: On India's 59th Independence Day anniversary on Tuesday, Junglee Birhor, a septuagenarian member of a primitive tribal community who has never seen the Indian flag, will unfurl the tricolour in his village in Jharkhand.
Junglee, a resident of Aman Purua village under Bundu block, about 45 km from this state capital, is excited and anxiously awaiting Independence Day celebrations.
"I never saw the flag in my life. It was never unfurled in my village," said Junglee.
"I do not know about Independence Day. This year some officials came and selected me to unfurl the tricolour. They educated me about the importance of it and of the day when it is unfurled," he said.
Junglee is not isolated case in this tribal-dominated state. There are many in villages that have never seen a tricolour or know the importance of the national flag.
Taking note of the situation, the state government has this year asked officials at block levels to select villages with population of primitive tribes and select its oldest resident to do the lead Independence Day celebrations there.
The chosen person will be given Rs.800. "Rs. 300 will be for the selected person to buy new clothes for the ceremony while an equal amount will be for the flag. The remaining amount is meant for sweets which will be distributed among all in the village," said an official.
In Jharkhand there are a total of 30 tribes, including nine primitive ones.
The primitive tribes mostly lead nomadic life, the literacy rate among them is barely eight percent and they are isolated from the mainstream society. Moreover, their population in the state is declining.
Hublal Birhor, a tribal villager, said: "In our tribe most people do not know the importance of Republic Day and Independence Day. The government will help our people in understanding the history of the country and bring us closer to the mainstream society."
The government move is also aimed at neutralising the influence among tribals of Maoists rebels who unfurl black flags on the national days.
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