City pays tribute to Ambedkar

Mayor R. Lingappa, Vasu, MLA, and senior officials of the district administration garlanding the statue of B.R. Ambedkar in front of Town Hall in Mysuru on Saturday. Photo: Anurag Basavaraj

The city, on Saturday, paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his ‘Mahaparinivana Day’.

While the district administration garlanded Ambedkar’s statue outside Town Hall on his 58th death anniversary, a photo exhibition was held at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre at Manasagangothri.

A seminar and interaction programme was also organised at Buddha Vihar in the city.

Elected representatives, including Mayor R. Lingappa, Vasu and Tanvir Sait, MLAs, and government officials Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha and Police Commissioner M.A. Saleem garlanded Dr. Ambedkar’s statue and offered floral tributes.

Meanwhile, several students viewed a rare collection of photographs of Ambedkar that were displayed at the exhibition at the research and extension centre. The film Balaka Ambedkar was screened at the centre to help acquaint students with Ambedkar’s movement against social evils.

Speaking on the occasion, activist P. Mallesh said Ambedkar belonged to the entire humanity.

His movement, which stood apart from all other movements that took place during his time, gave the oppressed classes strength and confidence.

Against social evils

Ambedkar opposed not only the caste system and untouchability, but also paved the way for progress, he said. However, Mr. Mallesh regretted that the social evils continued to prevail in the society. He warned that the social ill posed a threat to the harmony and social fabric in the society.

Meanwhile, at a seminar at Buddha Vihar, retired professor M.N. Javaraiah said Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals, which were still relevant, showed the path of progress for the depressed sections of society.