Union minister for food processing Subodh Kant Sahay unveiled the fibre statue of the noted tribal leader.
The height of the statue is 5ft and 6 inches. Weighing 222kg, it cost Rs 2.17 lakh. The funds were provided from the MP’s fund. Mohammed Jama, a local engineer, sculpted it in 90 days.
The unveiling of the statue brought a lot of happiness to the local people. “The statue will help motivate tribals of the state,” Karma Oraon, a professor said.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Sahay remembered the tribal leader, saying that the followers of Oraon should take up the path of devotion shown by the leader.
“It is a matter of concern that Oraon ’s followers have forgotten his ideology. If he had been alive today, he would have cried seeing the present political situation of the state,” Sahay said.
Tribal leaders cutting across party lines were present on the occasion. Notable among them were former Lohardaga MP and Kurukh language professor at Gossner College Dukha Bhagat.
Oraon held several official positions and represented Gumla constituency in the Parliament several times. He was the first president of Chhotanagpur Regional Congress Committee and founder of the All-India Tribal Development Council.