Hemant Soren’s UK Visit Highlights Jharkhand’s Historic Link with Oxford and Global Policy Engagement

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's upcoming visit to the United Kingdom, from January 24-26, assumes significance, especially the Oxford leg of the programme.

During the visit, the Chief Minister will engage with academic institutions including St John’s College and All Souls College, and participate in lectures and discussions on public policy and governance at the Blavatnik School of Government.

These interactions aim to link Jharkhand’s priorities of inclusive development, education, and institutional capacity-building with global policy discourse.

The Chief Minister’s programme at University of Oxford holds special significance, given the institution’s distinctive place in Jharkhand’s political and intellectual history.

The Chief Minister’s visit to Oxford is not merely an academic engagement; it underscores an institutional continuity between the founding ideas of Jharkhand and its contemporary governance priorities. The programme seeks to reaffirm the deep relationship between history, education, and public leadership.

This historic association dates back to 1922, when Jaipal Singh Munda, born in the Chotanagpur region of present-day Jharkhand, arrived at St John’s College, Oxford, to pursue higher education. For a young man from an indigenous background, access to a global institution such as Oxford during the colonial era was an extraordinary achievement, particularly at a time when international higher education remained largely inaccessible to indigenous and marginalised communities.

At Oxford, Jaipal Singh Munda studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics, served as President of the Oxford union Debating Society, and represented the university in hockey, earning its highest sporting honours. He later captained the Indian hockey team that won the Olympic gold medal. These formative years shaped his lifelong commitment to public service. He emerged as a powerful advocate for Adivasi rights, represented marginalised communities in the Constituent Assembly, and played a pivotal role in the movement that ultimately led to the formation of Jharkhand in the year 2000.

Oxford University recognises Jaipal Singh Munda as a distinguished alumnus. His name is recorded in the archives and Hall of Fame of St John’s College for his contributions across academics, sports, and public leadership.

In Jharkhand, he is revered as Marang Gomke, whose ideals of dignity, rights, and self-governance continue to guide the state’s collective consciousness.

The visit also reflects how Jharkhand has translated Jaipal Singh Munda’s educational legacy into public policy. Through the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship and the Chevening–Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Scholarship, implemented in collaboration with the Government of the United Kingdom, international education opportunities are being extended to students from Scheduled Tribes and other marginalised communities.

Ahead of the UK visit, the CM will lead a delegation at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos from Jan 18-24.