The 125th birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar was celebrated as Rashtriya Samrasta Diwas in all the Government offices in the State Capital, Dehradun. Different programmes were held to mark the day. Ambedkar was remembered as the speakers dwelt at length on Ambedkar’s constructive thoughts and ideas.
State DGP BS Sidhu, Dehradun DM Ravinath Raman, Dehradun SSP Dr Sadanand Date and other officers paid floral tributes to Dr Ambedkar at their respective offices. Speakers on the occasion said that the first thing that came to the mind while remembering Ambedkar was his monumental role in framing the Constitution of India. According to them, it was not just a legal document but also a social one wherein is enshrined the duties of the people to build a robust, modern India based on the bedrock of equality of all.
Government officers took pledge to facilitate social harmony and equality by way of paying tribute to one of the important builders of modern India. Paying a glowing tribute to the legend, DM Ravinath Raman said that braving adverse condition, Ambdekar had turned a colossus and his focus was trained on the betterment of the weaker section and on ending exploitation of the weaker by the strong.
Referring to casteism and its offshoot untouchability against which Ambdekar fought relentlessly throughout his life, DM said they all must strive hard to eliminate casteism from the body of India, making the country robust and great. Additional DM Pratap Singh Shah narrated the important milestones of Ambedkar’s life on the occasion at the Collectorate.
To mark the day, a programme was held at IMS Unison University. The speakers stressed on the fact that Ambedkar was not in favor of reservation beyond the time frame of 10 years. His contribution as law Minister, social reformer and economist were also highlighted. Chancellor of the University Prof MP Jain reminded that promise made by Ambedkar to discontinue Reservation after initial 10 years has not been fulfilled. It is high time that whole reservation policy should be reviewed, he remarked.
Dean, School of law Prof MK Bhandari narrated that Ambedkar was a creative genius. He had to struggle hard against the oppressive caste system which sought to boggle him down into the marshes of the caste division deeply inherent in the society. “He not just drafted the text of the Constitution, but got it passed by the Constituent Assembly following 4000 amendments,” he added.
Another speaker said that Ambedkar held the view that the rural economy should be strong and the social environment should be healthy. Social equality, harmony and the feeling of brotherhood were important to Ambedkar, he said, adding that the rural people should be economically and socially empowered and equal opportunities should be given for a harmonious progress of all, irrespective of caste and creed.
Ambedkar was also remembered at Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre with the speakers speaking volume of his enormous role in nation- building with particular reference to his focus on building India on egalitarian norms.