In a move that is bound to irk the Bahujan Samaj Party, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has decided to hand over the sprawling Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan to the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BB
In a move that is bound to irk the Bahujan Samaj Party, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has decided to hand over the sprawling Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan to the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) that lies opposite to the Maidan.
Mr Yadav said, “Yeh university Ambedkar ke naam ki hai aur isi ke paas Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan bhi hai... inko jodne ka kaam to main zaroor karoonga.” Ramabai Ambedkar was the wife of Dr Ambedkar and Ms Mayawati, when she was chief minister, had named the sprawling ground after her. The ground is used for fairs and rallies in the state capital.
BBAU vice chancellor R.C. Sobti told reporters that the Ramabai Maidan will be used for routine events taking place in the university. “It is proposed to set up a sports complex and host a national level sports competition in Ramabai Maidan. Besides, students will also be able to use the swimming pool there. If the government hands it to the university, the ground will be maintained by the university,” he said.
The vice-chancellor added that the ground is barely used for five to six days in a year. All other days, it is closed and vacant and added that since it is near the university, it can be part of the campus as north and south campus.
The CM has assured the V-C of extending full support to him for the ongoing work of setting up botanical garden on the university campus. “This will be one of the few universities to have a botanical garden of its own,” he said.
Spread across 60 acres, the botanical garden will have 11 different sections, dedicated to aquatic plants, fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants and various others. There will be separate section of religious plants. “These plants will be those used for religious purpose. The botanical garden will be a study centre and research place for students of the university and from out of it. Common public will also be allowed to visit, but entry hours will be restricted,” the vice-chancellor added.
The BSP reacted sharply to the proposal. “If the CM wants to demolish the identity of the Ramabai Maidan, it just shows that he is indulging in political vendetta. We will definitely protest against the move because the Ramabai Maidan is the biggest rally ground in Lucknow and fairs,” said a former BSP minister.
