The old Birsa Munda Central Jail and its adjoining area will be ready as a tourist attraction by November with the state government issuing necessary directives for the completion of the renovation and restoration of the Birsa Munda Museum and Smriti Park by Statehood Day.
“We would like tourists to come and see the museum that was built at the old jail where Birsa Munda was imprisoned by the British. They will be able to enjoy a light and sound show at the nearby Smriti Park from November 15, Statehood Day,” state urban development department secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh told The Telegraph, adding that Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company (Juidco), that was monitoring the restoration project, had been issued necessary instructions.
Last year, the cabinet had sanctioned Rs 27 crore for the restoration and renovation of three blocks, spread over 30 acre, on the old Birsa Munda jail premises. These were the administrative block, a building housing cells for inmates (one of these was used by Birsa Munda) and a hospital at the back, sprawling in over 30 acres.
A new jail premises was built at Hotwar on the outskirts of the city in 2006.
The museum, that the old jail is being turned into, will have a 25-feet statue of the tribal icon along with 9-feet statues of 10 freedom fighters of the state.
Birsa Munda, who had fought against the British, was hanged in the old jail premises.
The old Birsa Munda jail premises is being turned into the museum Picture by Manob Chowdhary
Juidco director technical S. K Sahu said that statue of Birsa Munda was being prepared by renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar. Private agencies were preparing the light and sound and laser shows that would showcase Birsa Munda’s life.
“Sculpture Ram V Sutar is preparing the 25-feet statue, while private agencies are already at work, readying the light and sound laser shows that would depict the life and times of Birsa Munda and other tribal freedom fighters. The shows will be of 15 minutes and would shown in the basement of the museum,” he said.
Smriti Park will showcase the various tribes of Jharkhand in specially designed huts. There are 32 tribes, eight of them designated vulnerable, in Jharkhand. The idea of the park is to familiarise the present generation with Jharkhand’s tribal traditions, Sahu explained.
The park will also have a musical water fountain and a light and sound show.