CABINET DECISION: Cabinet apprised of constitution of Committee under Chairpersonship of Prime Minister and activities to mark 125th Birth Anniversary year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

On May 30, 2015

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been apprised about the constitution of a Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Prime Minister to suggest different programmes / activities to be undertaken by various Ministries/Departments and States/UTs to celebrate the 125^th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B. R Ambedkar. The activities and celebrations will aim to spread the thoughts and ideas of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The constitution of the committee is as follows:-

(i) Prime Minister – Chairperson

(ii) Minister of Home Affairs – Member

(iii) Minister of Finance – Member

(iv) Minister of External Affairs – Member

(v) Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment – Member

(vi) Minister of Urban Development – Member

(vii) Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution – Member

(viii) Minister of Law and Justice – Member

(ix) Minister of Railways – Member

(x) Minister of Human Resources and Development – Member

(xi) Minister of Tribal Affairs – Member

(xii) Minister of State for Culture (I/C) – Member

(xiii) Sardar Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha- Member

(xiv) Dr. Narendra Jadhav – Member

(xv) Dr. Siddalingiah, Kannada Poet and Writer – Member

(xvi) Shri Milind Kamble, Founder DICCI – Member

(xvii) Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate, Chairman, NCDNT – Member

(xviii) Shri Rahul Bodhi – Member

(xix) Secretary, D/o Social Justice and Empowerment – Member Secretary

The Committee can co-opt other members with the approval of the Chairperson. The National Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Hon’ble Prime Minister will provide guidance, advice and direction to the celebration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar.

The Cabinet has also been apprised about the following 16 major activities being undertaken by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in order to promote Dr. Ambedkar’s ideologies and philosophy. The major programmes/activities undertaken by the Ministry are as follows:-

S. No.	Activity
1.	To observe 14^th April each year as “National Bandhutva Bhav / Samrasata Diwas”.
2.	To issue a commemorative postal stamp and a Coin on Dr. Ambedkar.
3.	To establish ‘Dr. Ambedkar International Centre’ at 15, Janpath, New Delhi for which a foundation stone has been laid by the Prime Minister on 20th April 2015. (The cost of the project is over Rs. 197 crore and it will be completed before March, 2017.
4.	To set up a Dr. Ambedkar Memorial at 26, Alipur, Delhi where Dr. Ambedkar lived from 1st November, 1951 till he breathed his last on 6th December, 1956. (The cost of the project is about Rs. 99 crore)
5.	Bringing out a commemorative publication containing articles on Dr. Ambedkar by renowned personalities.
6.	Organising a series of 12 lectures through existing Dr. Ambedkar Chairs set up by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
7.	To organise Dr. Ambedkar essay competition under the relevant scheme of the DAF.
8.	To finalise a plan for developing at least two (like Nagpur, Vadodara, Mhaow etc.) prominent places associated with Dr. Ambedkar.
9.	To organize seminars on contribution of Dr. Ambedkar and sponsor 100 students for study tour to Universities of Columbia (USA) and London School of Economics (UK), where Dr. Ambedkar studied.
10.	To organise a run for national unity at major places all across the country
11.	A digital exhibition displaying important photographs, works and other articles associated with Dr. Ambedkar.
12.	To organise “Nukkad Nataks” all over the country depicting life events of Dr. Ambedkar.
13.	To convert all volumes of collected works of Baba Saheb Ambedkar into Braille
14.	To release audio CDs of the collected works of Dr. Ambedkar, in various languages.
15.	To organise “Mock Parliament Sessions” for Higher Secondary class students with special emphasis on Constituent Assembly debates.
16.	To present a Tableau on Dr. Ambedkar in the Republic Day Parade, 2016.

The above mentioned activities are part of the preliminary plan, which will be further expanded, modified and implemented under the guidance of the National Committee.

Background:

This year marks the 125^th Birth Anniversary year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in social, political and economic sectors is enormous and he is one of the key founders of Modern India. The life of Dr. Ambedkar is an inspiration to millions. Growing up in a very challenging environment and having faced many difficulties in childhood, Dr. Ambedkar completed his higher education in best universities of the world, only due to his sheer determination, tremendous hard work and humility.

He is known as the architect of Constitution of India. The hard work done by him in the drafting of the Constitution, made it a powerful tool for social and economic empowerment of the downtrodden, which is praiseworthy. Dr. Ambedkar ensured that there are appropriate checks and balances in the democratic system of Government and ensured that the three wings of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, function independently with accountability to one another.