Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday said people of Jharkhand have fought for their rights at a time when citizens of the country were not even dreaming about Independence. Jharkhand is a small state but it has its own history, Hemant said while addressing an event to mark the state's Foundation Day, which is also the birthday of legendary tribal leader Birsa Munda.

Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000. "People of Jharkhand kept fighting for their rights when people in the country were not even dreaming of freedom. People of Jharkhand are not afraid of anything as, for them, struggle starts as soon as they are born," the chief minister said terming the day as historic.

"Before dreaming of independence of the country, the people here fought for water, forest and land. The brave sons of Jharkhand never feared to fight for the pride of their country and state... Jharkhand is known as Veer Bhoomi," he said at the statehood day programme.

He said the brave sons of Jharkhand fought to protect the land and forests and preserved nature for generations to come. "Today, we have reached the moon and are ready to go even further. But, along with materialistic pursuits, it is also necessary that we know and understand our history. Let us preserve our language and culture. Jharkhand is a tribal-dominated state. The tribal community here has never kept any discrimination, any malice against anyone. They see everyone as equal," the chief minister said.

Hemant said the Birsa Munda Memorial, a museum on the tribal leader inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day, will become a centre of inspiration for the generations to come.

"There are more such brave sons in our state, and it should be the endeavour of all of us that the story of their struggle is added to this museum," the CM said.

After his arrest, Birsa Munda, who was fighting against the British, died in Ranchi jail at the age of 25 on June 9, 1900.

Now, the Birsa Munda Memorial at Old Jail complex in Ranchi has been developed as "Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Udyan cum Museum" at a cost of Rs 142.31 crore. Of that amount, Rs 117.31 crore was spent by the state government and the rest by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

A 25 feet tall statue of Birsa Munda was installed outside the jail premises. The life and struggles of the Tribal Revolution and the brave freedom fighters of Jharkhand will be displayed through laser and light shows, film and musical fountains throughout the complex.