By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Feb 13:
President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday suggested that November 07 should be celebrated as a National Students’ day across the country to commemorate Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s enrolment in the school on that day.
The president who visited Dr.Ambedkar’s ancestral village Ambadawe in Mandangad taluka in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, stated that Ambedkar had enrolled in the school in 1900 and as such November 07 is celebrated as Student’s Day in Maharashtra. “Every program associated with Ambedkar inspires us to realize the vision of a compassionate and egalitarian society. Hence we could consider celebrating November 07 as Student’s Day across the country.
He said that April 14 is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti day (birth anniversary), November 26 as a Constitution Day, and December 06 as “Mahaparinirvan day”(Ambedkar death anniversary). In addition, November 07 could be the National Students’ Day in memory of Ambedkar.
The President said that Ambedkar’s birthplace is at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, his Deeksha Bhoomi is in Nagpur(where he embraced Buddhism), the Parinirvan Sthal is in Delhi, Chaitya Bhoomi (the cremation place) is in Mumbai, and Ambedkar memorial house is in London. Similarly, the Ambawade village should be declared as “Sphurtibhoomi” ( a land of inspiration) since Ambedkar contributed with full energy in various fields throughout his life.
The President was happy to note that the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), in association with Khadi Village Industries Corporation, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University, and Bank of Baroda has undertaken initiatives to make Ambadawe village self-reliant, apart from doing relief work for villagers affected by the Nisarga cyclone in June 2020.
On the occasion, the President visited the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial at the Ambadawe village, which is his ancestral home converted into a monument and where his articles have been preserved.
The President said that Babasaheb advocated self-employment and set up a firm to do business as a consultant in the trading of stocks and shares. He submitted a memorandum to the then Viceroy Linlithgow in 1942, demanding the participation of the underprivileged in the tenders of CPWD. But Babasaheb himself could not give time to his entrepreneurial side. But the Constitution drafted by him stipulates the opportunities to the youth in every field.
In his address, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said that Babasaheb gave a new direction to the country with the Indian Constitution. He was a prolific student and a scholar. He came from a humble family but overcame all obstacles and continued his studies. His commitment to eradicate the social evils and his dedication to unify the society is simply unmatched. He said that he would donate Rs. 30 lakh from Governor’s Discretionary Fund to build a library for students in the Ambadawe village.
President’s wife Savita Kovind, the Supreme Court Judge Bhushan Gavai, Maharashtra Ministers- Anil Parab and Sanjay Bansode, NCP MP Sunil Tatkare, National Commission For Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Chairman Bhiku Ramji Idate, Ratnagiri Collector Dr. B N Patil, Divisional Commissioner Vilas Patil, DGP Sanjay Pande, Special IGP Sanjay Mohite, and others were present on the occasion. The police band played the national anthem at the beginning and the conclusion of the program.Celebrate November Seven as a National Students’ Day: Prez
