Governor Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by chief minister Raghubar Das and GOC 23 infantry division Rajiv Edwards (above), inaugurates the son et lumière  (top) at Jharkhand War Memorial in Ranchi on Tuesday.

Coinciding with Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s death anniversary, the light-and-sound show is a spectacular tribute to real-life heroes of Jharkhand.

The 50-minute show raised a toast to war heroes in colonial as well as post-Independence India.

Colonial Jharkhand was represented by the heroism of Budhu Bhagat, Oraon uprisings, Santhal tribesmen led by legendary brothers Sido-Kanhu fighting against the British empire and the iconic Birsa Munda.

Modern-day heroes of the state are no less, discovered the distinguished audience. They included Param Veer Chakra Lance Naik Albert Ekka, who gave his life for the country during the India-Pakistan 1971 war as well as Kirti Chakra awardee Naik Vishwa Kerketta’s courage during 1997 Kashmir insurgency, among others.

Besides GOC Edwards, Lt-General AK Sahni and other army dignitaries, as well as a host of distinguished civilians caught up with the gallants in Jharkhand’s history.

Text by ASRP Mukesh; pictures by Prashant Mitra