Hyderabad: A 125-foot statue of BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, will stand in the heart of Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Chief Minister Naidu, who wants to develop Amaravati as a tourist attraction given its ancient connection with Buddhism, has now decided to develop a memorial garden for Ambedkar, who had practiced Buddhism, in the new capital city in order to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the great leader and thinker.
The State Assembly on Tuesday took up a short discussion on how to organise the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. While announcing his government’s plans to organise year-long celebrations to mark the occasion, Naidu said his government had decided to install the huge statute in a 15-acre site.
“We are planning to develop the memorial as garden which will have a convention centre and a Buddhist meditation hall. We are also planning to set up a museum and a library to make people know about the great leader’s teachings,” Naidu said. The proposed museum will depict the life and teachings of Ambedkar.
“We want to develop Amaravati as a tourist attraction for Buddhists from across the globe. BR Ambedkar’s proposed statue and memorial park would further add glory to the capital city,” Naidu added. As part of the celebrations, the chief minister said that various programmes will be organised to keep alive the memories of Ambedkar. “We are planning to organise Ambedkar Ideology Run, Ambedkar Sports Meet and other programmes for the entire year. We will translate all the works of Ambedkar into Telugu language,” Naidu said. According to Naidu, the state will also hold anti-discrimination week, besides holding an international Buddhist convention.
6 Lakh Houses for the Poor
Chief Minister Naidu said TDP founder NT Rama Rao had introduced several welfare schemes for the benefit of the downtrodden classes, after getting inspired by the teachings of BR Ambedkar. In order to further take forward NTR’s efforts to uplift the poor in the society, the State government will inaugurate as well as lay foundation stone for 6 lakh houses for poor people on April 14.
Heated Debate
Leader of the House Naidu and Leader of the Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy crossed swords with each other in the Assembly, when the House was debating on how to organise celebrations to mark the 125th birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. Jagan alleged that the TDP government in the State has utter disrespect for Dalits in Andhra Pradesh.
(This appeared in Express News Service on March 30, 2016)