Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: The 133rd birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar was celebrated today with great enthusiasm by civil society as well as political, social and educational organizations across Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by its senior leaders paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar at various places, as it observed the birth anniversary of the tall leader in Jammu as well as in Kashmir. J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina while paying tributes to Dr Ambedkar said that will remain a source of inspiration to all of us for centuries and India can never forget his great contributions. General secretary (organization) Ashok Koul paid tributes to Ambedkar at Hiranagar and Kathua while MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, general secretary Dr Devinder Manyal and Kavinder Gupta paid tributes at Ambedkar Chowk (near Railway Station, Jammu). Sat Sharma paid tributes in Jammu West Assembly Constituency.
Paying glowing tributes to Dr Ambedkar, National Conference (NC) former minister and central zone president Babu Rampaul described the architect of the Constitution of India as a great visionary, saying the legendary leader worked tirelessly to foster egalitarian society and shed caste discrimination across the country. Sheikh Bashir Ahmed (provincial secretary, Jammu) said the best tribute to the great leader would be to imbibe the spirit of oneness which alone can lead the nation towards peace, progress and prosperity.
Congress party leaders paid tributes to Baba Saheb Bhim by organizing a tribute ceremony at Chak Manga Rakwal in Samba. On the occasion, Youth Congress chief spokesperson Sandeep Sharma, Scheduled Caste vice president Surinder Attri, former Municipal Council vice president Kamer Singh, former councilor Sudesh Kumari, congress leader Gambhir Singh and many local people were present. Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep Sharma said that after independence, Baba Saheb had given equal rights to the suppressed people in the society. He urged everyone to follow the path shown by Baba Saheb.
The J&K Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) general secretary and media head Rajesh Gupta paid floral tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar at Vidan Sauda, Bengaluru. While interacting with media, Rajesh Gupta said that Baba Saheb’s dreams have to come true as he spent his life for the welfare of the poor. He appealed the BSP workers to be united to give a big defeat to their opponents.
To celebrate the Day, the OBC, SC, ST & PWD Cells, in collaboration with the Directorate of Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) organized a special lecture (online) on Dr B R Ambedkar. Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof A Ravinder Nath, Dean Academic Affairs Prof Shahid Rasool, keynote speaker, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, Prof N Sukumar, Dean DSW, Dr Irfan Aalam, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of the Departments, faculty members, administrative staff and other employees of the varsity participated in the lecture through the online mode. Addressing the participants, the VC underscored the need to inculcate and imbibe the values as enshrined in the Constitution of India, among the youth, in order to realize and fulfill the dream of Dr Ambedkar.
Ex-chief secretary of J&K, BR Kundal paid homage to Dr Ambedkar while terming him a great visionary of the century, an economist par excellence, a great social & political reformer, educationist and chief architect of Indian constitution. He said to describe Ambedkar a leader of Dalits shortens his personality as all his thoughts expressed in various speeches and articles articulated from time to time proves that he had something for every section of the society. “Let’s seek the guidance from the Constitution and his thoughts expressed through numerous articles and speeches for making our nation great,” Kundal added.
To mark the occasion, a grand rally was taken out by Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti Celebration Committee, R S Pura (Suchetgarh). Hundreds of people including men and women participated in the rally which reached R S Pura town via Chak Bala, Rathana, Jinder Mehlu, Chak Aslam and Chauhala, where homage was paid to Baba Saheb. Paying tribute to Dr Ambedkar, social activist Dr Preeti Bhagat recalled the contribution of Dr Ambedkar in the freedom struggle and post-independence era. She said that Dr Ambedkar will be remembered for ages for his tireless efforts for the rights of the deprived sections of the society.
Mission Ambedkar Society Khour along with different sabhas of Scheduled Caste communities celebrated birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar in the premises of Gurudwara Shri Guru Ravi Dass ji Maharaj, Khour. People from all walks of life participated in the function and paid tributes to Baba Saheb. The students delivered speeches on life and mission of Baba Saheb. Those spoke and honoured on the occasion were Sham Lal Basson (ex corporator), Darshan Lal (financial joint director) and others.
Members of All J&K SC Welfare Association paid homage to Baba Saheb by garlanding his statue at Dr B R Ambedkar Chowk, Gandhi Nagar (Jammu). They also paid floral tributes to Baba Saheb at Association’s head office located in Old Janipur. Patron of the Association, R L Bharti and several other office bearers recalled contributions of Baba Saheb for the society and upliftment of the downtrodden.