Chief minister Raghubar Das kick-started the celebrations of Karma festival on Thursday by planting a karam sapling at an akhara in Murum village, Kanke block, 20km from here.
“Considering the importance of the festival, 60,000 karam trees will be planted across the state. Our ancestors have left behind a land full of greenery and a rich cultural legacy for us. It’s our duty to leave the same for posterity,” Das said while addressing the audience.
The tribal and regional language department of Ranchi University also organised a function on the occasion, which was attended by several dignitaries and political leaders.
“This is how people of our state worship nature and this should be replicated elsewhere in the country,” said Rajya Sabha deputy speaker Harivansh after inaugurating the function.
“Tribals have been worshipping nature and protecting the environment since time immemorial,” said Union ministry of state for tribal affairs Sudarshan Bhagat.
Among others who attended the programme were former Union minister and Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahai and newly-elected Rajya Sabha member Samir Oraon. Students of various language courses like Mundari and Kurmali also presented songs and dances of their respective communities.
The ‘akhara’ or the open-air stage on the Ranchi University campus, named after tribal ideologue Ram Dayal Munda, also wore a festive look. Boys, who performed on the occasion, looked dapper in dhoti and vests while girls looked resplendent with red, blue and green bordered saris.
Similar programmes were also organised at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, where former chief minister Arjun Munda was present as the chief guest.
Karam puja or Karma festival is celebrated on the 11th day of the lunar calendar in the month of Bhadra during August-September in the honour of fertility, prosperity and well-being of near and dear ones.
“The rituals are observed at the akhara in the evening after which everyone in the village dance till the wee hours,” reminisced cultural activist Samir Oraon.