Try GOLD - Free
Shibu Soren, tribal icon behind creation of J’khand, dies at 81
Hindustan Times
|August 05, 2025
RANCHI: Shibu Soren was 13 when his father, Shobaran Soren, was killed by goons employed by a local moneylender (or Mahajan as they were called). In Bihar's tribal badlands, some tribals were in the grip of Mahajans, others, liquor, and still others, both.
His father's killing prompted Soren, who was born in Nemra village under Gola block in Ramgarh district of the state in January 1944, to launch a campaign against the Mahajans and alcoholism. A Santhal (or Santal) himself, he formed a social reformist body, Santhal Navyuvak Sangh, in the early 1960s when he was only 18. One of its earliest campaigns was against the Mahajans; Soren would hop on to his bicycle and travel from village to village, preaching his message.
The Santhals were uneducated and illiterate and Soren started conducting classes for them at night, talking to them about.
money and the evils of liquor. The Santhals honoured Soren with a title, Dishom Guruji-meaning "teacher of the world".
That was the term his son and Jharkand chief minister Hemant Soren used to tell the world of his death on Monday. "The respected Dishom Guruji has left us and gone," he said in Hindi on X.
"Today, I have become nothing...".
Soren's biggest achievement was the creation of Jharkhand.
This story is from the August 05, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Tata, Eka, Volvo selected for e-bus production sops
Only three automakers out of 18 have qualified for subsidies for electric buses under the government's production-linked incentive scheme for automobiles and auto parts (PLE Auto), through which it plans to disburse nearly 226,000 crore to strengthen India’s clean-mobility ecosystem.
2 mins
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
What a birthday call said about India-US relations
Many critics of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi were quick to sound the death knell for the India-US partnership after President Donald Trump, in a characteristically abrupt move, announced steep tariffs of up to 50% on Indian exports.
5 mins
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
ANTI-VACCINE U.S. HEALTH SECY'S PANEL CHANGES MMRV JAB RULES
A US medical panel handpicked by President Donald Trump’s health secretary has made its first alteration to the standard childhood vaccine schedule, as public health experts fear more changes that flout prevailing medical advice are in the pipeline.
1 min
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
Apple mania sweeps cities as iPhone17 hits stores
Apple's latest flagship, the iPhone 17, launched on Friday to an unprecedented frenzy, with eager customers lining up for hours - even camping overnight for up to 21 hours - outside Apple stores across major cities.
2 mins
September 20, 2025

Hindustan Times
Delayed justice to limited aid: The long wait for domestic abuse relief
This month marks two decades of the domestic violence act. HT looks at what's working on the ground, and what's not
8 mins
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
Cabinet approves appointments of new director generals of ITBP, CISF
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Friday approved two proposals of the ministry of home affairs to appoint new director generals of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
1 min
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
₹57k-cr Delhi drain revamp after 50 yrs
The Delhi government on Friday unveiled a ₹57,000-crore drainage master plan, the first such comprehensive overhaul in nearly 50 years, to prepare the Capital for intensifying monsoons, rising climate pressures and relentless urbanisation.
1 min
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
Doval discusses bilateral issues with Canadian NSA
The national security advisers of India and Canada met in New Delhi for bilateral consultations aimed at addressing the concerns of both countries, marking another key step in the normalisation of bilateral relations that were hit by a diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani separatist two years ago.
2 mins
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
SINGER ZUBEEN GARG DIES AT 52 ON A YACHT TRIP IN SINGAPORE
Singer-songwriter Zubeen Garg died on Friday while on a yacht trip in Singapore where he was supposed to perform a day later, people privy to the development said.
1 mins
September 20, 2025
Hindustan Times
India urges Saudi to mind 'sensitivities' after Pak deal
India expects Saudi Arabia to take into consideration “mutual interests and sensitivities” in the bilateral strategic partnership, the external affairs ministry said on Friday in the context of the mutual defence agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that has significant ramifications for regional security.
2 mins
September 20, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size