INDIA: President Ram Nath Kovind proposed on Saturday that November 7 be observed as National Students’ Day throughout the country to commemorate Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s enrolment in school on that day.
The president stated during his visit to Dr. Ambedkar’s ancestral village Ambadawe in Mandangad taluka in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra that Ambedkar enrolled in the school in 1900 and that November 7 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 7 as Student’s Day across the country,” he added.
He said that April 14 is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti day (birth anniversary), November 26 as a Constitution Day, and December 6 as “Mahaparinirvan day”(Ambedkar death anniversary). In addition, November 7 could be 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 pleased to note that the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), in collaboration with Khadi Village Industries Corporation, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University, and Bank of Baroda, has launched initiatives to make Ambadawe village self-sufficient, in addition to providing relief to villagers affected by the Nisarga cyclone in June 2020.
On this 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.
According to the President, Babasaheb advocated for self-employment and established a firm to work as a consultant in stock and share trading. In 1942, he sent a memorandum to then-Viceroy Linlithgow demanding that the underprivileged be included in CPWD tenders. However,
Babasaheb was unable to devote time to his entrepreneurial side. But the Constitution drafted by him stipulates the opportunities to the youth in every field.
In his speech, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari stated that Babasaheb gave the country a new direction with the Indian Constitution. “He was a gifted student and scholar. He came from a poor family, but he overcame all obstacles to continue his education. His dedication to eradicating social evils and unifying society is simply unparalleled,” he added.
He further stated that he would contribute Rs. 30 lakh from the Governor’s Discretionary Fund to the construction of a library for students in 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.
Also Read: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Lesser-Known Stories Of His Life (Part 1)
