Describing Dr BR Ambedkar as a torch bearer for not only one community but for the entire humanity and society, Punjab Cabinet Minister Chunni lal Bhagat on Thursday said that all of us should learn from his life and contribute for taking the society into the right direction.
Bhagat, speaking during the state level function organised on the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar at Phagwara, said that Dr Ambedkar spent his entire life for bringing equality in the society and people from all communities should learn from his teachings.
The state level event was attended by Cabinet Ministers Daljit Singh Cheema, and Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Som Parkash Kainth, Mohinder Kaur Josh and Pawan Kumar Tinu, besides SAD MlAs Bibi Jagir Kaur, and Sarwan Singh Phillaur, among others.
Education Minister Cheema said that the Punjab government has chalked out year-long comprehensive programmes for educating the masses about the teachings of Dr BR Ambedkar.
“On the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary, the Punjab government would award cash prizes of Rs one lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh each to 125 merit holders of class X and XII respectively,” he said.
Cheema said that the Punjab government is also setting up a chair in Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar’s name. “For educating the youth about Dr BR Ambedkar, seminars would be organised in universities and colleges of the state. A special session, dedicated to Dr Ambedkar, would be held Punjab Vidhan Sabha and his statue would also be installed in the Vidhan Sabha,” he added.
Tourism Minister Thandal said that taking a cue from Dr Ambedkar’s teachings, Punjab government has started several welfare schemes for weaker sections of the society.
“For students, a post-metric scholarship scheme has also been started and for this purpose, the state government has kept Rs 100 crore separately so that the students don’t face any problem,” he said.
CPS Som Parkash said that Dr Ambedkar has always been a torch bearer for the society and that is why his 125th birth anniversary is also being celebrated by the United Nations. “Dr Ambedkar did not raise his voice for equality only of Dalits, but he fought for the rights of all communities,” he said.