Jharkhand at 25: Vision, Legacy and Development Drive

Chief Minister Hemant Soren set the tone for Jharkhand’s 25th Foundation Day by saying the state had contributed significantly to the nation and now deserved stronger recognition and support. He said Jharkhand would rely on its natural and human strengths to join India’s leading states in the next quarter century. Recalling Jharkhand’s deep civilisational roots, he said its people “stand among the earliest humans on earth,” and called the Silver Jubilee a moment to honour the past while planning for the future.

The milestone was marked with a grand ceremony at Morabadi Ground, where a themed exhibition and an immersive zone became the central attractions. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed their greetings, while tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda were offered at Kokar, Birsa Chowk and Ulihatu.

The state government announced and launched 1,087 schemes worth ₹8,799 crore, a mix of new foundations and completed projects that span roads, health care, water resources, education, welfare, housing and tourism. The announcement was positioned as a development roadmap for the next phase of Jharkhand’s growth.

A Stage Set for Reflection and Resolve

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, addressing the gathering, said the Silver Jubilee was a chance to look back at the struggles that shaped the state and recommit to inclusive growth. He recalled the courage of Birsa Munda, Sidhu-Kanhu, Nilamber-Pitamber, Phulo-Jhano and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose actions and decisions created the cultural and political foundation of present-day Jharkhand.

He said Jharkhand had made gains in agriculture, mining, culture and education but still needed to close gaps in poverty, health, jobs and migration. He urged collective effort to build a state that reflects the aspirations of all communities.

The ceremony opened with lamp-lighting and a helicopter showering flowers over the ground. Governor Gangwar, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and MLA Kalpana Soren toured the exhibition set up by the Information and Public Relations Department, which showcased 25 years of Jharkhand’s journey and key moments from the legacy of Birsa Munda and other tribal leaders. A commemorative book on the state’s achievements was also released.

Tribute to Legacy and Loss

The Chief Minister said the celebrations carried emotional weight this year, as Shibu Soren — the central figure of the statehood movement — was no longer present. Calling him a “creator, pioneer and guide,” Soren said the absence of the late leader had left him personally unsettled. The day, he said, should be seen as a tribute to the sacrifices of tribal and moolvasi communities who fought for their land, identity and dignity.

He said those struggles allow every Jharkhandi today to stand tall and say with pride, “We are Jharkhandi.”

A State Built on Resources and Resilience

Soren said Jharkhand’s mineral wealth, forests and water resources were not its only strengths. The state had built a reputation in sports, tourism and skilled labour, and its workforce had powered industries across India. He said the government was working to identify and nurture these capacities so that future generations find “abundant opportunities to move ahead.”

He emphasised that India could not become a developed nation unless its states progressed, and states would progress only when villages became stronger. Rural prosperity, he said, must remain the foundation of Jharkhand’s growth strategy.

Projects Across Sectors

The Silver Jubilee announcements covered a broad range of sectors:

Major foundations laid

• Recreation, eco and community parks in Ranchi Smart City
• Renovation of Birsa Munda Bus Terminal, Khadgarha, Ranchi
• Critical care hospital blocks in Koderma, Hazaribag and Godda
• District early intervention centre in Gumla
• Synthetic football field at Simdega sports complex
• New pharmacy institute in Hazaribag
• Tilak Manjhi Nature Park and Fossil Park under eco-tourism
• Bar Council buildings in Lohardaga, Simdega, Madhupur and Giridih
• Transformer repair workshop at Tatisilwai

Major projects inaugurated

• New residential complex for MLAs at Core Capital Area, Ranchi
• New collectorate buildings in Deoghar and Lohardaga
• 400 kV transmission line and 220/132/33 kV grid sub-station at Patratu
• New engineering college in Godda and professional college in Bokaro
• Multiple prefabricated hospitals in Dhanbad, Chaibasa, Godda, Pakur and Simdega
• International-level astro turf hockey stadium in Simdega
• Conservation and development of Itkhori temple complex in Chatra

The state’s infrastructure push included 297 rural works, 213 water resource projects, 146 projects under home, prison and disaster management, and 76 under agriculture and animal husbandry. Education, health, tourism and social welfare also saw new additions.

Celebrations Across Districts and Beyond

District Headquarters held their own programmes.
In Hazaribag, a ceremony at Vinoba Bhave University brought together officials, students and citizens. Beneficiaries received assets under government schemes, while local leaders reflected on the state’s journey and the gap between aspirations and achievement.

In Jamtara, Health Minister Irfan Ansari highlighted the unfinished goals of the statehood movement, accompanied by documentary screenings and the release of a Silver Jubilee souvenir. Garhwa marked the day with tributes, dance performances and distribution of assets.

Outside Jharkhand, the state’s pavilion at the India International Trade Fair in New Delhi celebrated the day with cultural performances and floral tributes, giving the Foundation Day a national stage.

A Future-Oriented Milestone

With the state entering its 26th year, the Chief Minister said the next phase of Jharkhand’s growth must focus on environmental balance, rural empowerment and modernisation across sectors. He said the state needed to free itself from the shadow of poverty, exploitation and injustice faced by previous generations.

The message across the events was clear: Jharkhand’s future will be shaped by its ability to combine resilience, identity, resources and reform.