Jamshedpur MLA Purnima Sahu Inducted into National Panel for Jyotirao Phule 200th Birth Anniversary Celebrations

Nation to mark 200 years of Jyotiba Phule with two-year commemorative drive

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: The Government of India has announced a grand, two-year nationwide commemoration to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Jyotirao Phule, one of the country’s most influential social reformers.
The celebrations, scheduled from April 11, 2026, to April 11, 2028, aim to popularise his ideals of social justice, education, and equality across the nation.
To oversee the initiative, a multi-tiered structure has been put in place. A National Implementation Committee received formal approval on April 6, 2026, with the Ministry of Culture issuing the official notification.
At the apex level, a 126-member high-powered committee will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to guide policy and strategy.
The panel brings together eminent personalities from political, judicial, and social spheres, including former Presidents Pratibha Patil and Ram Nath Kovind, former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, and former Chief Justices K. G. Balakrishnan and B. R. Gavai. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot are also part of the panel.
The committee further includes key Union Ministers such as Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Nitin Gadkari, along with several Members of Parliament and public figures.
In a significant recognition for Jharkhand, Jamshedpur East MLA Purnima Sahu has been inducted as the only woman representative from the state in the committee. Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, she said Phule’s lifelong commitment to uplifting the marginalized, women, and backward communities continues to inspire generations. She termed the commemoration a national mission to connect the youth with his progressive ideals and strengthen the spirit of equality and justice.
The committee will be responsible for framing policies, approving programmes, and ensuring effective implementation of events throughout the two-year period, while also setting timelines and strategies to maximise the outreach and impact of the historic celebration.