April 14, 2018: Nation remembers Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 127th birth anniversary today. Floral tributes will be paid at Babasaheb’s Statue in the Parliament House Complex this morning. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution of India, was born on 14th April 1891 at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, which is now known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar. He was also the first law minister of India.
President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted fellow-citizens on the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
In a message, Mr Kovind said, Dr Ambedkar was a multifaceted personality whose impact on the society and nation has remained relevant and will remain relevant. He said, Dr Ambedkar was an academic and economist, a scholar and moral philosopher, an exceptional legal mind and constitutionalist and above all, he was an activist for social reform and for legitimate opportunities for women and a champion of liberty.
The President said, Dr Ambedkar waged a life-long struggle for a better and fairer society for a modern India free of caste and other prejudices, ensuring equal economic and social rights to women and to those from traditionally disadvantaged communities.
His ideals and his belief in the rule of law found most eloquent expression in the Constituent Assembly. Appropriately, he is considered the Chief Architect of Indian Constitution which continues to be the guiding light for the Republic of India.
The President said, despite the personal challenges he faced, Dr Ambedkar was remarkably free of rancour and resentment.
For this, and for his many social, political and professional contributions, he continues to be a beacon for people and he shines as a universal symbol of human freedom and individual dignity. He said, it is important to appreciate Dr Ambedkar’s personality and message in all its dimensions, and not to compartmentalize, as people often do.
He called on people to draw inspiration from the great figure of history and the great Indian.
Mr Kovind said the best tribute to him will be to build a just, egalitarian and developed India and an India that lives up to the republican ethic that Dr Ambedkar shaped and defined for people and for future generations.
President Kovind will visit Mhow in Madhya Pradesh today. He will pay his tributes to the Babasaheb at his memorial in Mhow and grace a function being organised on his 127th birth anniversary.
Earlier, on the eve of Babasaheb’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Dr Ambedkar National Memorial to the nation. Speaking at the function in New Delhi, Mr Modi said, the memorial is a tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar. He said, his government is following the path shown by Baba Saheb and moving ahead with the mantra of Sabka Saath – Sabka Vikas to ensure that the benefits of development reach all section of society.
The Prime Minister said the government will not allow dilution of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He said it is his government which has strengthened this act to prevent atrocities against Dalits. The Prime Minister said special courts are being set up for an urgent hearing of cases involving atrocities on SCs and STs.
On the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, All India Radio will broadcast a radio report of 20 minutes on different programmes organised across the country on the occasion. It can be heard from 8 PM today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. In a tweet message, Mr Modi said, respected Babasaheb gave hope to lakhs of people belonging to the poorest and marginalised sections of the society. He said the country remains indebted to Babasaheb for his efforts towards the making of our Constitution.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at Babasaheb’s Statue in the Parliament House Complex this morning. (AIR News)
