Jageshwar Yadav, a social worker from Bhithghara village in Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, was selected for the Padma Shri in 2024 for his contribution to the welfare of the Birhor tribal community. Working with the community since 1989, he established an ashram in Jashpur to promote education and improve access to healthcare among marginalised tribal families.
His work has also supported the Pahari Korwa community, another particularly vulnerable tribal group in the region. Despite financial difficulties, Jageshwar continued his efforts to encourage children to attend school and help tribal families access essential services. Known as the ‘Brother of Birhor’, he had previously received the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Award in 2015. His selection for the Padma Shri brought celebrations to his village, where residents welcomed him with traditional songs and dances.
From Witnessing Hardship to Building Hope
Born in Bhithghara village in Jashpur district, Jageshwar grew up witnessing the difficulties faced by the Birhor tribal community. Living in forested and hilly areas of Chhattisgarh, many community members had limited access to formal education, healthcare and employment opportunities. Children often grew up without the support systems needed to attend school, while families faced difficulties accessing essential public services.
Determined to improve these conditions, Jageshwar began working with the Birhor community in 1989. He chose to live among the tribal families, learning their language and understanding their traditions, concerns and everyday challenges. This helped him develop relationships with community members and encourage them to consider education and healthcare as important parts of their children’s future.
Rather than approaching the community as an outsider, Jageshwar worked to build trust through sustained engagement. His efforts focused on encouraging parents to send their children to school and helping families understand the opportunities that education could provide. Over time, his commitment earned him the affectionate title of ‘Brother of Birhor’, reflecting his close association with the community.
Education and Healthcare at the Centre
One of Jageshwar’s key initiatives was establishing an ashram in Jashpur to support the welfare of tribal communities. Through his work, he sought to address illiteracy and improve access to healthcare, particularly among families who had long struggled to obtain these services.
The challenges were considerable. According to the account of his work, Birhor children were once so unfamiliar with outsiders that they would run away when they encountered people from outside their community. Even seeing footprints left by shoes could make them hide. In such circumstances, encouraging children to attend school required patience, trust and continued interaction with families.
Jageshwar worked to change this situation by encouraging children to enrol in school and helping families become more comfortable with the idea of formal education. His efforts contributed to a gradual change in attitudes towards schooling, with Birhor children increasingly attending classes.
Healthcare was another important part of his work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jageshwar helped tribal residents access vaccination services. His efforts were particularly significant for communities facing barriers to healthcare access. The work also reflected his broader commitment to improving the well-being of vulnerable families.
Financial difficulties often made these initiatives challenging. However, according to the account provided, he continued his social work despite economic constraints, remaining focused on improving the lives of the people he served.
Recognition for a Life of Service
Jageshwar’s contribution to tribal welfare had received recognition before his selection for the Padma Shri. In 2015, he was awarded the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Award for his work.
In 2024, he was selected for the Padma Shri in recognition of his contribution to social work and the upliftment of the Birhor tribal community. His efforts have also extended to the Pahari Korwa community in Jashpur, highlighting his wider commitment to supporting marginalised tribal groups.
His selection prompted celebrations in Bhithghara and other villages with significant Birhor and particularly vulnerable tribal populations. Residents visited his home to congratulate him, while villagers welcomed him with traditional songs and dances when he returned to his village from Jashpur.
The celebrations reflected the pride residents felt in seeing the work of someone from their district receive national recognition. His journey also drew attention to the challenges faced by tribal communities and the importance of sustained efforts to improve access to education and healthcare.
Jageshwar was also invited to meet Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. According to the account provided, he went barefoot to meet the Chief Minister. This detail formed part of the public attention surrounding his recognition.
While the Padma Shri selection marked an important milestone, Jageshwar’s work has developed over decades through his continued engagement with tribal families. His story demonstrates how long-term commitment can help communities overcome barriers that might otherwise remain unaddressed.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Jageshwar’s journey is a reminder that social change often begins with listening, building trust and standing alongside people whose needs have remained overlooked. His work with the Birhor and Pahari Korwa communities highlights the importance of making education, healthcare and essential public services accessible to everyone, regardless of their social or economic circumstances. Recognition through the Padma Shri brings attention to his contribution, but lasting progress also depends on continued institutional support and collective responsibility.
Communities, governments and citizens must work together to ensure that tribal children have access to education, families receive timely healthcare and marginalised groups can pursue dignified livelihoods.
What more can we do to support individuals and initiatives working to improve the lives of marginalised communities across India?
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