By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Dec 6:
A sea of humanity from all over the country, thronged the Chaityabhoomi at in Dadar, in central Mumbai, to pay homage to the messiah of dalits and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar, on his 66th death anniversary on Tuesday.
Born on April 14, 1891 at Mhow in then Central province (now Madhya Pradesh), Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, devoted his life for uplift of the Dalits and fought against caste system and untouchability prevalent in the Indian society. He was a jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who headed the committee set up to draft the Constitution of India.
Ambedkar renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956, in presence of lakhs of disciples in Nagpur in Maharashtra. He passed away on December 06, 1956 at his residence in New Delhi. The last rites were performed at Chaityabhoomi. His death anniversary is observed as “Mahaparinirvan Din” (a death or the freedom from the cycles of life) every year on December 06.
As has been the tradition, hundreds of people began coming to Mumbai some days ago and the queues were unending on Tuesday. The queues of people looking forward to a glimpse of the statue of Dr Ambedkar in the sanctorum stretched for a few kilometres, around the historic Shivaji Park. The crowd management by Mumbai Police and overall discipline of the people was commendable.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Ambedkar’s grand son Advocate Prakash Ambedkar, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, NCP leaders-Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil and others paid homage and offered floral tributes at Chaityabhoomi.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC had made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the people converging at the Chaityabhoomi. Water tankers, wash rooms and about 200 toilets were set up and nearly 1000 workers were engaged to maintain cleanliness in the area where the people have been camping.
Hundreds of volunteers were distributing food and water. Many were even busy helping families trace some members who were lost in the crowds. The make shift shops were set up selling books, photographs, candles, flowers and a variety of charms and trinkets for out-of-town visitors.
President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge paid tributes to Ambedkar at Parliament House in New Delhi.
Memorial at Indu Mill
The crowds were also seen at Ambedkar memorial being set up at an estimated cost of Rs. 1090 crore, on a sprawling 12 acre land of erstwhile India United Mills (Indu Mill) in Dadar. The memorial will have a 350 feet high bronze cladded statue of Ambedkar placed on pedestal of 100 feet height (total Height 450 feet). It will be accessed by a spiral ramp. The memorial will have 1000 capacity Auditorium, Exhibition Halls, Research Centre, Lecture Halls, Library, Conference Halls, Meditation Centre, Souvenir Shops, Canteen, Administrative Office and Gardens. The memorial being set up by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, is expected to be completed by March, 2024.
