Nagpur: Thousands of followers gathered at Deekshabhoomi on Friday to pay homage to Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 68th Mahaparinirvan Din. Clad in symbolic white attire, carrying Panchsheel flags, and chanting slogans of equality and unity, they thronged the sacred site throughout the day, with crowds swelling by the evening.
The atmosphere at Deekshabhoomi was both sombre and vibrant. Foot marches, resonating with the values championed by Babasaheb, were a common sight as young and old alike walked with purpose and pride. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti and Samata Sainik Dal organised the fourth edition of the ‘Blood for Babasaheb' campaign. A blood donation camp at Yatri Niwas collected contributions for the govt blood bank, furthering Ambedkar's ideals of selfless service and social welfare.
The day began solemnly with garlanding ceremonies across the city. At Samvidhan Chowk, Regional Deputy Commissioner Babasaheb Deshmukh laid a wreath at the statue of Dr Ambedkar on behalf of the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department. Floral tributes at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Samajik Nyaya Bhavan witnessed participation from key officials, including Sukhdev Kaurti and Bharat Meshram, who highlighted Ambedkar's enduring legacy of equality, liberty, and fraternity.
Addressing a gathering at Samvidhan Chowk, former minister and North Nagpur MLA Nitin Raut emphasised Babasaheb's monumental contribution to shaping modern India. "Dr Ambedkar's Constitution is a beacon of hope, laying the foundation of equality, liberty, and fraternity," he said, inspiring attendees to uphold these principles in their daily lives.
Deekshabhoomi also hosted a special programme at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Law College, where social activist Varsha Shamkule spoke about the universal relevance of Ambedkar's thoughts. "Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar belongs to every individual who seeks justice and dignity. His ideas are the bedrock of our progress," Shamkule remarked.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation, led by Additional Commissioner Ajay Charthankar, also paid tribute to Dr Ambedkar.