Nation offered tributes
to Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 47th
Mahaparinirwan Diwas today.
The
Vice-President of India Shri Bhairo Singh Shekhawat, the Prime
Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri
Manohar Joshi, the Leader of Opposition Smt. Sonia Gandhi and
several Union Ministers including Minister of Social Justice and
Empowerment Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya and Union Minister of Oil
and Natural Gas, Shri Ram Naik, former Prime Ministers Shri V.P.
Singh and Shri H.D. Deve Gouda, Members of Parliament and a host
of other dignitaries and leaders from all walks of life offered
floral tributes to the architect of Indian Constitution at Dr.
Ambedkar’s statue at Parliament House lawns this morning. The
function was organised by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation of Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India.
Later, talking to
the mediapersons about the Government’s efforts to disseminate
the ideals of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar, Union Minister of Social
Justice and Empowerment Dr. Jatiya said that Dr. Ambedkar Foundation
has been set up to establish Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial and
Dr. Ambedkar National Public Library, besides giving Dr. Ambedkar
National and International Awards and for establishing Dr. Ambedkar
Chairs in Universities/Institutions for carrying out research
on the thoughts and ideals of Baba Saheb. Publication of the Collected
Works of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar into Hindi and other Indian languages
is already in advanced stage, the Minister added.
Dr.
Jatiya also said that "Dr. Ambedkar National Scholarship Scheme"
has been introduced to help meritorious students of Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes for pursuing higher studies. The scholarship
will be given as one-time grant as follows: students securing
highest marks --Rs. 60,000, students securing 2nd highest
marks-- Rs. 50,000, students securing 3rd highest marks
--Rs. 40,000 and girl student securing highest marks-- Rs. 40,000,
in case she is not in the above three categories. This award amount
will be payable over and above any other scholarship/award.
