Pics: Information Department
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 15: In association with city municipality council Udupi and Dalit organizations, district authority observed 125 years birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar at Ambedkar Bhavan, Adi here on Thursday, April 14.
District in charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake offered garland to the portraits of Ambedkar on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Sorake said, “We should put our efforts in realizing Ambedkar’s dreams of an equal and just society. We will observe ‘Panchayat Raj Day’ from April 14 to April 24 in order to commemorate Ambedkar’s birthday anniversary.”
“The Constitutional provisions made by Ambedkar should reach all panchayats and should not be restricted to welfare committee. We should strive hard in order to bring about equality in society. Nobody is superior or inferior by birth.”
“True freedom is when the deprived section of society is able to lead an independent life. Without peace, we cannot think about development,” he said.
Nearly Rs 44 lac were spent to renovate Ambedkar Bhavan in Udupi.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Pramod Madhwaraj said, “In 25% of BPL families in the nation, 50% are dalits. They have not been able to develop their life despite reservation. Ambedkar worked in supporting the deprived classes, women and labour class.”
He informed that there was a plan to build Ambedkar Bhavan at a cost of Rs 6 crore in the city soon and a grant of Rs 3.5 crore has been already released.
Minister and chief guests distributed scholarship to the students and allowance to the inter-caste couple on the occasion.
Lecturer, Rajendra S Naik delivered a special talk on ‘Ambedkar and His Personality’.
DC R Vishal conducted the oath taking ceremony.
Veronica Carnelio, chairman, Karnataka soap and detergent commission Limited, Meenakshi Madhava Bannanje, president, Sandhya Pai, vice president, CMC Udupi, Priyanka Meri Francis, CEO, zilla panchayat Udupi and others were present.
H S Premanath, vice president, social welfare department, Ramesh proposed vote of thanks.
Prashant Shetty Havanje compered the programme.