Various events mark Ambedkar birth anniv in state capital
LUCKNOW: Various events marked the 131st birth anniversary of India’s first law and justice minister and Dalit icon Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) in the state capital on Thursday.
At Ambedkar Mahasabha office
Speaking at one of the programmes held at Ambedkar Mahasabha’s office, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the entire country was indebted to Dr Ambedkar for his contribution to the nation. “Babasaheb’s quote ‘We are Indians, firstly and lastly’ summons up everything,” he added.
On the occasion, the CM also apprised the gathering about the under-construction Ambedkar memorial in the state capital. “Under it, a cultural centre will come up on 5493.52 square metre “Nazul” (government) land in front of Aishbagh Eidgah. The project’s estimated cost is Rs 45.04 crore,” the CM said.
“The centre will have an auditorium with a capacity to seat 750 people besides a library, a research centre, a picture gallery, a museum and a multi-purpose convention centre. It will also have a 25 feet statue of Dr Ambedkar,” Yogi added. Lalji Nirmal, chairman of Ambedkar Mahasabha, presented a memento to the CM. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak also expressed his views at the event. UP ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Asim Arun were prominent among those who participated in the event.
Ambedkar Memorial
Thousands of Dr Ambedkar’s followers reached the Ambedkar Memorial in Gomti Nagar to pay their respect to the architect of the Indian Constitution. Since morning, people from all walks of life thronged the memorial. Stalls of food, water and motivational songs were set up by different organisations there.
At KGMU
Addressing a function marking the day at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), union minister of state Kaushal Kishore said, “Babasaheb had said that the Constitution will be good if people implementing it are good. The vision of Babasaheb was that no one should be discriminated against or exploited on the basis of caste.”
He said Babasaheb wanted community without caste and for this “we first need to stop calling people by caste and also abstain from making organisations in the name of castes”.