In the wake of his father’s passing, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is currently in Nemra, his ancestral village in the Ramgarh district. He has been in Nemra for the past eleven days, balancing his official responsibilities with the personal obligations of mourning his father. His father, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, passed away on August 4th while receiving medical care at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Following his father’s death, Hemant Soren, the middle son, has been actively engaged in the customary post-cremation rituals. He is diligently following the traditions associated with the final rites. On August 15th, during the Dashkarma ceremony, Chief Minister Hemant Soren shaved his head and beard in the presence of family, relatives, and villagers, adhering to the established traditions. The preparations for the memorial feast, known as ‘sanskar bhoj,’ are currently underway, set to take place on August 16th.
The final rituals are being conducted according to traditional practices and local beliefs, with the assistance of relatives, acquaintances, and villagers who have come to Nemra, Shibu Soren’s ancestral village. Chief Minister Hemant Soren is personally supervising the preparations in Nemra. He has instructed officials to guarantee suitable arrangements for transportation, drinking water, meals, medical assistance, security, and accommodation for all attendees. The administration has also initiated a cleanliness campaign in the village and its surroundings to ensure convenience for those attending the memorial ceremonies.
To aid attendees, over 300 e-rickshaws will be available, providing easy transit from parking areas to the event location. Three large parking areas have been constructed, each equipped with bio-toilets. For those walking, covered sheds, rest areas, and separate pandals have been set up along the routes, providing protection from the elements.
Three large pandals have been erected to serve food, capable of accommodating thousands of people simultaneously. The menu will consist of local delicacies and traditional offerings. A large team of volunteers and cooks will be deployed to ensure hygiene and efficient service.
A police control room has been established in Dhumkudiya to oversee security and traffic management. The security personnel include 10 IPS officers, 60 DSPs, 65 inspectors, and approximately 2,500 police personnel. The district administration is operating on high alert. Teams of police, administrators, and volunteers will be working continuously to manage traffic, emergency services, and crowd control.
A special exhibition and memory gallery are in development to commemorate the late former CM’s life, political contributions, his efforts to uplift the tribal community, and his public service. The exhibition will feature rare photographs, historical documents, and achievements from his time in office.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy are expected to participate in the memorial feast. Also expected are the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, UP’s Minister of Tribal Welfare Sanjeev Kumar Gond, along with representatives from various states, including Bihar, Punjab, Bengal, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Jharkhand cabinet ministers, numerous MLAs, and senior officials are also expected to be present. A helipad has been prepared for VIP guests arriving in Nemra village.