New Delhi: The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Cell (BBMC) at IIT Delhi hosted a commemorative interactive talk series in honour of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and to celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of India’s tribal communities. The event is a part of the year-long Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh initiative, observed from 15 November 2024 to 15 November 2025.

Held on November 5, 2025, the program commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting and floral tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, led by distinguished guests and faculty members including Deputy Director of IIT Delhi, Prof. A.K. Nema; Dean of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), Prof. Deepak Kumar; Special Guest Sh. Armstrong Pame, IAS, Joint Secretary at the Department of Higher Education, GoI; keynote speaker for the day, Prof. Tsering Nurboo, IIT Delhi; and Prof. Vivek Kumar, Coordinator, BBMC, and Head, CRDT.

A soulful rendition of Vande Mataram by student performers set the tone for the day, celebrating unity in diversity through music.

Prof. Vivek Kumar, Coordinator, BBMC, set the context about the role and importance of the cell and spoke about the transformative role of community engagement through immersion activities.

Keynote speaker Prof. Tsering Nurboo shared philosophical insights rooted in Ladakh’s tribal heritage and wisdom. He introduced the audience to the indigenous epistemologies and the treatment of nature in Ladakh, highlighting the philosophical depth of tribal worldviews.

This was followed by a deeply personal and inspiring talk by Shri Armstrong Pame, IAS, known for his grassroots work and community-driven development. His reflections on community-driven leadership, resilience, and tribal empowerment, drawing from his decades-long experience, resonated strongly with the audience.

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