Born: 1947 (Kainshi village, Keonjhar district, Odisha)
Biography:
Tulasi Munda, popularly known as Tulasi Apa, was a social activist from the Indian state of Odisha. She was born on July 15, 1947, in Kainshi village in the Keonjhar district of Odisha. Keonjhar was one of the most economically underdeveloped districts in Odisha at the time. Despite facing numerous challenges and hardships, Munda dedicated her life to spreading literacy among the impoverished adivasi peoples of Odisha.
As a child, Munda had a deep desire to study. However, during that time, the idea of educating girls and women was largely socially unacceptable. Moreover, child labor, poverty, and slavery prevented indigenous children from getting an education. At the age of 12, Munda went to live with her sister in Serenda village, where she ended up working in the mines.
In 1961, Munda’s life took a turn when she met social reformers Ramadevi Choudhury, Nirmala Deshpande, and Malati Choudhury. These inspiring women advocated for education for women and became an influential force in Munda’s life. Additionally, Munda had the opportunity to meet Acharya Vinoba Bhave, a prominent figure of the Bhoodan movement, during his visit to Odisha in 1963. These encounters with social reformers and their guidance inspired Munda’s future efforts in activism.
In 1964, Munda returned to Serenda and started an informal school for children in the veranda of her home. This marked the beginning of her lifelong commitment to education and empowerment. Later, she established the Adivasi Vikas Samiti School, which provides education up to the 10th standard for nearly 500 boy and girl students every year. Over the years, Munda’s school has not only educated more than 20,000 children but has also played a significant role in improving the level of education and the standard of living in the area.
Munda’s extraordinary contributions to social work and education were recognized and honored with several awards. In 2001, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India for her remarkable contribution to spreading literacy among the adivasi community. She also received the Kadambini Samman in 2008, the Odisha Living Legend Award for Excellence in Social Service in 2011, and the Lakshmipat Singhania – IIM Lucknow National Leadership Award in 2009, among others.
Tulasi Munda’s impactful life story was brought to the silver screen in the biographic film Tulasi Apa, which was released in 2015 at the Kolkata Film Festival. The film received critical acclaim and shed light on Munda’s inspiring journey as a social activist.
Tulasi Munda’s unwavering dedication to education and upliftment of the adivasi community continues to inspire generations. Her remarkable work has left a profound impact on the society, particularly in the field of women’s education and empowerment. Through her relentless efforts, Munda has become a significant figure in women’s history, leaving a lasting legacy and inspiring countless individuals to step forward and make a difference in the lives of the marginalized.