Kolkata, President Droupadi Murmu recently addressed the ninth International Santal Conference in West Bengal's Siliguri, highlighting the significant contributions of the Santal community to India's freedom struggle.
She noted that several legendary figures, including Tilka Majhi, Sido-Kanhu, and Chand-Bhairav, have not received due recognition in history, but their names should be included to fill the gaps in the country's history.
The President praised the courage of the Santals, saying they are brave and belong to a brave community, and urged them to progress through education and skill development while preserving their roots and culture.
Murmu also emphasized the importance of preserving the Santali language and traditions, highlighting the inclusion of the language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 2003 and the release of the Constitution in the Santali language in 2023.
She called on the Santal community to balance tradition with modern development, embracing modern progress while preserving their folk traditions and the environment.
