President Ram Nath Kovind led the nation in paying tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his 64th Mahaparinirvan Diwas today. He paid floral tributes at his Statue in Parliament House this morning. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in a series of tweets, said, humble tributes and respects to the architect of the Constitution. He said Ambedkar was a champion of democracy, he was a staunch patriot, a nationalist and a humanist to whom upliftment of poor and downtrodden was an essential precondition to development. The Vice President added, that Ambedkar strongly advocated dignity, unity, and freedom for all citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution and relentlessly campaigned for the rights of the marginalized. Naidu said, the tributes we pay him today will be meaningful only if we follow his ideals and uphold the values and ethics he propounded, in public life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid floral tribute at Ambedkar’s statue. Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari and Chief Minister UdhdhavThackeray paid tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Chaityabhumi in suburbanDadar in Central Mumbai. Maharashtra Chief Minister has said that the proposedmemorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indu Mills compound will serve as aninspiration for people seeking justice and equality. In his statement on the eve of Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Thackeray said his government will work on the principles of social justice andbrotherhood as prescribed by Babasaheb. Mumbai Police has made elaborate security arrangement in viewof huge congregations, expected at Chityabhoom today. Around 40,000 policepersonnel have been deployed for maintaining a strict vigil. While Western and Central Railway announced special trains toclear the extra rush apart from setting up additional facilities likehelpdesks, drinking water facility, medical aid, etc. Mumbai’s civic body toois ready to provide needful assistance.
