Alpha Toppo Carries Jharkhand’s ‘Johar’ to London

Alpha Toppo, a young woman from Kolambi village in Piska Nagri, Ranchi district, has made Jharkhand proud on an international platform. She recently spoke at an event held in London and began her speech with the tribal greeting “Johar.” Her words attracted the attention of everyone present at the event. The program was organized at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Alpha delivered her speech in front of the Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his delegation. Her confident and thoughtful address highlighted the culture and values of Jharkhand.

Alpha Toppo has been selected for the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, funded by the British government. Through this scholarship, she will study for a Master’s degree in Public Policy. The Chevening Scholarship is given to a small number of talented students from across the world, and receiving it is considered a major achievement. In her speech, Alpha talked about the strong connection of the tribal community with water, forests, and land. She said that education is the key to solving the social, economic, and political problems faced by marginalized communities. Her speech reflected her deep bond with her village and her lived experiences. Alpha’s educational journey is also inspiring. She completed her graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, and later pursued higher studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. During her studies, she actively participated in student politics and was elected General Secretary of the student union, showing her leadership skills.

Her friend, social activist, and tribal leader Anil Amitabh Panna congratulated her on this achievement. He said that Alpha’s success is a proud moment for the tribal community of Jharkhand and proves that education can take someone from a small village to the global stage. Alpha has said that after completing her studies, she will return to India and work for the welfare of weaker sections of society in Jharkhand. Her journey is an inspiration for thousands of young people. She has shown that “Johar” is not just a greeting, but also a symbol of identity, self-respect, and positive change.