SHILLONG: The Tribal Affairs and Local Self Government Department, MPCC held a one-day seminar to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar on Thursday at Congress Bhawan, with special reference to “Social Reforms in India has few friends and many critics”.
The meeting was chaired by John F Kharshiing, chairman, Tribal Affairs and Local Self Government Department, MPCC, in the presence of the chief guest Rowell Lyngdoh, Deputy Chief Minister, and guest of honour AL Hek, Minister, including Lakmen Rymbui, vice president, MPCC, AH Scott Lyngdoh, spokesperson, MPCC, Manash Das Gupta, general secretary, DCC presidents, frontal organisations and other party members.
The Seminar started with Hek releasing a compilation of thirty important quotes by Dr BR Ambedkar, which were extracted from the book “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches with special reference to “Social Reforms in India has few friends and many critics ( DBAWAS) and prepared by John F Kharshiing to help create awareness especially the youths of the State.
Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included AH Scott Lyngdoh, and Rowell Lyngdoh among others.
Meanwhile, the 125th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb B. R. Ambedkar was also celebrated in Geological Survey of India, NER, Shillong.
The programme focused on Ambedkar’s contribution of towards uplift of socially marginalized sections of the society. Amarjeet Singh, Additional Director General was the chief guest.
A donation of Rs 25000 was also made towards tuition fee of underprivileged children of St. Francis School, Smit to commemorate his birth anniversary.
Likewise, the ‘Rashtriya Samrasta Diwas’ was observed on Thursday by the Office of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh at its office premises. Pooja Pandey, Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi District administered the oath for maintaining social harmony and social equity whereas D. Hynniewta, ADC & Project Director, DRDA narrated the thoughts and struggles of Late Dr B.R Ambedkar.
Floral tributes were also paid to Dr Ambedkar’s image. Similar functions were also held in all the three C&RD Blocks of Ri-Bhoi District.
NEHU remembers Ambedkar
The birth anniversary of Dalit icon and architect of the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar was also observed at the North-Eastern Hill University on Thursday at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Hall. Conducted by the Department of Political Science, the programme saw a lively discussion on the contributions of the Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer. Some of his famous quotes were seen dotting the walls of the hall.
The programme was chaired by Dr. H. Srikanth from the Department of Political Science and attended by the officiating Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.C. Mohapatra, teachers, students and staff.
According to Prof. Xavier P. Mao from the Department of Philosophy, occasions such as these should not be a mere ritualistic exercise. The programme also saw the felicitation of winners of quiz competition organized on March 13. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the J.N. Nayak, Registrar.
