Ambedkar espoused welfare of all, says President Kovind

LUCKNOW: Laying the foundation stone for a cultural and research centre dedicated to Dr BR Ambedkar in Lucknow on Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovid hailed the architect of the Constitution as an educationist, economist, jurist, politician, journalist, sociologist and social reformer who also contributed to culture, religion and spirituality.
“A message strongly espoused by Ambedkar in his life and work was that in a democracy, it is the responsibility and duty of the government to ensure the welfare of every single person. I am happy to say that the current government is working on realising the basic principle behind this,” the President said.
Kovind said that important places associated with Ambedkar have been developed into pilgrimage sites. He pointed out that Lucknow was his ‘sneh sthal’ as Bodhanand, whom he revered almost as much as his Guru and Pragyanand, who gave Amabedkar his diksha, both lived in the city. “Ambedkar used to visit Lucknow frequently to see them. I thank the UP government for choosing this day to lay the foundation stone for his memorial as this was the day in 1928 that he launched the weekly paper 'Samta'. His life was focussed on establishment of a samta mukul, a sentiment which is present even in the Preamble. His contribution to nation-building and his well-rounded personality give us an introduction to his extraordinary capabilities,” the President said.
Governor Anandiben Patel credited Ambedkar for ensuring that the Constitution was not just a legal document but also a social document. She said that she hoped the cultural centre would be an inspiration for the youth.
“He was of extraordinary character and his life as an inspiration for all of us. His contribution in working for India’s independence and in the making of the Constitution will be written in golden letters. Ambedkar fought for Dalits, backward classes, equality for women and against ignorance and superstition,” she said.
The Governor added that Ambedkar’s focus on ensuring that education brings light to the lives of people helped in the construction of the nation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Ambedkar was not just revered in India but every time when Dalits, backwards and marginalised societies were discussed anywhere in the world, Ambedkar’s contribution is remembered.
“In 1928, 93 years ago, he started the weekly paper 'Samta', aimed at a samta muluk. The fight for independence was on then and despite all hurdles, he completed his education and also contributed immensely to what India is today. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring that all sites associated with him, like his birth place in Mau, the centre of his social life in Delhi, Mumbai and even the house in which he lived while he was in London, have been converted to memorials,” he said.
The Bharat Ratna Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Centre, located in Lucknow’s Aishbagh, will feature a 45-foot statue of Ambedkar, an urn containing his ashes, a library, auditorium, research centre etc. The project is expected to cost around Rs 50 crore and sources indicated that a portion of the Centre may be completed by the first week of December so that it can be inaugurated on Ambedkar’s death anniversary on December 6, just ahead of the 2022 UP assembly elections.