Mahakumbh on Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti in Mhow

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that it is a matter of pride for us that a great man like Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar took birth in the state. Baba Saheb was sharp, intelligent and talented. He was not just an individual but an institution in himself. He acquired higher education despite scarcity and difficulties and moved forward in life. His life is a source of inspiration for us. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was addressing the Rashtriya Ekta and Samajik Samrasta Sammelan organized at the Mahakumbh on Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar’s Jayanti in Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow). Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan started off the “Gramoday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan” on the occasion.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that followers who had arrived at the Mahakumbh from all over the state and the country were guests of the government. Today the government is playing the host. He said that when he had visited Mhow for the first time after becoming the Chief Minister, he noticed that people in a large number thronged the city to express their faith in Baba Saheb as if in a kumbh, but there was no proper arrangement of their food and shelter. At that time, he had decided that a Mahakumbh would be organized on April 14 every year on Dr. Ambedkar’s Jayanti and the government will ensure proper food and lodging arrangements for his followers. The Chief Minister said that he has got the opportunity to get a memorial constructed in Baba Saheb birthplace. Maharashtra government has also entrusted the Indu Mill land for setting up of Baba Saheb’s huge statue. Besides, Maharashtra and Government of India has purchased the building in London in which Baba Saheb stayed to pursue his education. He informed that five places connected with Baba Saheb’s life will be developed as ‘Panch Teerth’.

Chief Minister Chouhan said that our government is a government of all classes but it belongs to those who are the poorest and the lowest category. He said that Baba Saheb made persistent efforts for the upliftment of the poor and always talked about getting educated. The government has launched a scheme to provide free uniforms, books and cycles besides providing scholarship, hostel facility, arrangement for higher studies abroad and rooms on rent in cities for children belonging to Scheduled Caste/Tribes. Also there is a scheme in which government will bear the expenses incurred in getting such children admitted in private medical/engineering/management institutes. Schemes like Chief Minister’s Young Entrepreneur and Self-Employment Scheme for employment to youths belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Tribes have also been launched. State government ensures guarantee of bank loans in such schemes.

Forest, Planning, Economics and Statistics Minister Dr. Gaurishankar Shejwar said that people belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Tribe category have benefitted the most in Chief Minister Chouhan’s tenure. Maximum efforts have been made for social harmony. He said that the rate for scholarships given to children belonging to the SC/ST category has also been hiked. Number of hostels in the state has doubled.

Maharashtra MP and BJP Yuva Morcha National President Smt. Poonam Mahajan said that Baba Saheb was very farsighted. He gave us a Constitution that is convenient under all circumstances. He informed that Maharashtra government has given the Indu Mill land to set up the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar which will be ready very soon.

The Sammelan was addressed by Bouddh Sant Bhante Sanghsheelji. Minister of State for Narmada Valley Development (independent charge) General Administration and Aviation Lal Singh Arya gave the welcome address. District Panchayat President Smt. Kavita Patidar proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier Chief Minister Chouhan greeted Bouddh Sant Bhante Sanghsheelji with a bouquet and greeted him. MP Smt. Savitri Thakur, MLA Smt. Usha Thakur and several people’s representatives were present at the sammelan.-WTN