The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today laid the foundation stone for the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial, to be built at 26, Alipur Road in Delhi, the place of Mahaparinirvan of Dr. Ambedkar.
The plaque for the foundation stone was unveiled by the Prime Minister at Vigyan Bhawan. Later, delivering the sixth Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture, the Prime Minister categorically asserted that no changes will be made to the Union Government's reservation policy, so as to deprive the weaker sections of society, of their existing entitlements. He strongly condemned those who he said were spreading lies and misinformation in this regard. He recalled that such misinformation had been spread even when Shri Vajpayee was the Prime Minister.
Recalling the contributions of Dr. Ambedkar, the Prime Minister said that the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial would soon become one of the iconic buildings of Delhi, and declared that he would himself inaugurate it on Babasaheb's birthday – April 14th – in 2018.
The Prime Minister explained that five places were being developed as "Panchteerth" in honour of Dr. Ambedkar. These included his birthplace in Mhow, the place in London where he stayed while studying in the UK, Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi, and Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai. In addition, the Prime Minister also referred to the building for the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation being built at Janpath in New Delhi.
Describing Dr. Ambedkar's contributions for the nation, he said that while Sardar Patel had united the country politically, Dr. Ambedkar had united it socially through the Constitution. He recalled how Dr. Ambedkar had advocated equal rights for women, even in an era where this idea faced stiff political opposition. He said that it is an injustice to Dr. Ambedkar to limit his contributions to just the Dalits, or even just to India. He said Dr. Ambedkar raised his voice for all those who suffered injustice, and had a global stature, much like Martin Luther King in the US. Dr. Ambedkar was a Messiah for all labourers – not just Dalit labourers – the Prime Minister said, explaining how he had contributed to limiting working hours to eight.
Talking of recent policy initiatives and legislative measures, the Prime Minister said the vision for developing India's maritime potential, and indeed for Inland Waterways, was first conceived by Dr. Ambedkar. Similarly, the vision for providing electricity to all unconnected villages, which the Union Government has promised by 2018, is also a step towards fulfilling Dr. Ambedkar's vision, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister recalled his recent meetings and interactions with Dalit Entrepreneurs, and the suggestions made by them. He said all these suggestions had been implemented by the Union Government in the recent Union Budget.
The Prime Minister said that the National Agriculture Market, an e-platform for farmers to get the best possible price for their produce, would be launched on 14th April this year.
PM recalls the efforts and role played by former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in remembering Dr. Ambedkar. Watch https://t.co/Iy8hu3Nre5
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
26, Alipur Road will be an iconic building of Delhi and for us it will be a source of inspiration: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/Iy8hu3Nre5
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Babasaheb was the voice of the marginalised. He is a Vishwa Manav. Only talking about him with respect to India is injustice to him: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Why was it that Dr. Ambedkar had to resign from the ministry? This part of history is either forgotten or diluted: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
When issue of equal rights to women came up, Babasaheb was clear that if women don't get equal rights I cant be a part of the ministry: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
There is a bill on waterways in Parliament but let me tell you this vision is of Dr. Ambedkar's.He believed in India's maritime strength: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Dr. Ambedkar told society one thing- to get educated. It is like the inner power and he showed the way in that regard: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Bihar governor went to Vadodara & he honoured Gaekwad family. This family had a strong influence on Dr. Ambedkar's life: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
When Vajpayee ji became PM, sections started saying reservation will go. He was PM for two terms nothing of that sort happened: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Nothing has ever happened to the reservation for Dalits, tribals, where we are in power but still this lies is spread to mislead: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
This is a right that nobody can snatch: PM @narendramodi on reservations for Dalits, tribals and marginalised communities
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Dr. Ambedkar called for labour reform and at the same time thought of industrialisation for the progress of India: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
What was the reason the decision on Indu Mills was kept pending so long? Same for the place where Babasaheb stayed in London: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
Wherever we have got the opportunity to serve, we have taken decisions out of Shradha of Dr. Ambedkar: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 21, 2016
