INDIA. Mumbai: Even as the country commemorates the 132nd Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar on Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made an elaborate arrangement to provide civic amenities at Ambedkar Memorial near Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai.
Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow military cantonment at Indore (now Madhya Pradesh). Later his father, Ramji Ambedkar (who was in the British Army), shifted to Maharashtra. Dr Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956. He embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956, in Nagpur.
President, Prime Minister, and leaders of major political parties pay homage to Dr Ambedkar, considered a messiah of Dalits and an architect of the Indian constitution, on his birth anniversary. Similarly, in Mumbai, the Governor, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and other leaders visit “Chaityabhoomi”, his memorial.
In Mumbai, the leaders are also expected to visit “Rajgruha”, a memorial and house of Ambedkar at the Hindu Colony of Dadar and his earlier residence (Room No. 50/51 BIT Chawl) at Parel in South Central Mumbai.
Tributes
Lakhs of Ambedkar’s disciples throng the “Chaityabhoomi” every year. The BMC organised a laser show and an exhibition of artworks portraying Ambedkar’s life journey this year. Besides this, an orchestra has been organised by the Sangeet Kala Academy.
In addition, a performance by Mumbai Police Band has been organised. 05 LD screens have been set up for live telecast. BEST has pressed into additional buses to enable devotees to reach “Chaityabhoomi”, while Mumbai Traffic police have diverted many routes and banned car parking at nearly a dozen places.
Arrangement
Over 1000 BMC employees have been deployed to ensure 24-hour water supply through tankers. 10 Mobile toilets have been pressed into service, and services of some NGOs have also been procured to maintain cleanliness.
In addition to ambulances, the medical squads comprising a doctor and 16 nurses/assistants each and doctors from BMC-run medical colleges have been deputed to meet any emergency. BMC’s KEM Hospital will organise a blood donation camp on occasion. The BMC’s Health Department will also be making available face masks and sanitisers to visitors given the resurgence of Covid-19.
Precautionary measures
A fire tender and water tanker have been kept on standby by the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Besides, speed boats have been deployed in the adjoining Arabian Sea to avoid any mishap with visitors venturing into the sea despite an appeal by the BMC. CCTV cameras have been deployed as part of the watch and ward.
Memorial
Meanwhile, the Ambedkar memorial being built on a 12.5-acre plot at Dadar’s erstwhile “Indu Mill” is expected to be inaugurated next year. The cost of the project was Rs 425 crore when conceptualised in 2012. However, now the cost has escalated up to Rs 1000 crore.
Also Read: National Unity Day: Remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on His Birth Anniversary
