Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, CM Devendra Fadnavis and minister Vinod Tawde pay their respects to Dr Ambedkar on Thursday. (Photo: Shripad Naik)
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the contribution of Dr B.R. Ambedkar to the nation was unparalleled and his vision while framing the Indian Constitution is the main reason behind the nation being together. While speaking at the inauguration of an international seminar on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar being hosted by the University of Mumbai on Thursday, Mr Fadnavis said that and the Constitution of India was also treated as a benchmark by developing countries and was applauded by the entire world. Social justice minister Rajendra Badole, who was also present, said that around 50 places that Dr Ambedkar stayed would be turned into memorials and monuments by the state.
Mr Fadnavis said that the Constitution penned by Dr Ambedkar ensured that the rights of people in the lowest strata of the society were identified and were incorporated into the Constitution. He also said Dr Ambedkar promoted the concept of equality to the nation and also freed people stuck in the caste-based system by teaching the concepts of brotherhood and equal rights that are enshrined in the Constitution.
The chief minister further added that Dr Ambedkar had promoted the formation of states based on language, which had resulted in the growth and prosperity of people in different regions, as a result of which they have developed ingeniously. Mr Fadnavis said that it was due to Dr Ambedkar that people from any part of the country are able to migrate to other parts and live there without any problem.
On the current drought situation in Maharashtra, Union minister Piyush Goyal said Dr Ambedkar had envisioned the problem almost seven decades ago. “Whether it be drought or the water problem, Dr Ambedkar had conceptualised a solution to the problem in 1944 but the indifference of the government at the time resulted in his suggestions and plan not seeing the light of the day. Had the government paid attention to it, Maharashtra would not be going through such a period of drought,” said Mr Goyal.
