Ambedkar inspires us to realize the vision of a compassionate society: Ram Nath Kovind

President of India Ram Nath Kovind has said that the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar inspires us to realize the vision of a compassionate and egalitarian society.

Kovind made this statement when he visited Ambadawe village, which is the ancestral village of Dr B.R. Ambedkar in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. He performed Pooja and offered flowers to Lord Buddha, Dr Ambedkar, Smt Ramabai Ambedkar and Ramji Ambedkar.

What impressed Kovind is the fact that in schools of Maharashtra, 7th November, the day on which Babasaheb had enrolled in the school in the year 1900, is celebrated as Student's Day.

“We could consider celebrating 7th November as Student's Day across the country to commemorate Babasaheb Ambedkar's devotion and importance he attached to education,” President Kovind said.

The Maharashtra government has named Ambadawe village 'Sphurti-Bhoomi'.

“It is apt to call the ancestral village of Babasaheb 'Sphurti-Bhoomi' as he contributed in various fields throughout his life with full energy. According to the ideal of 'Sphurti-Bhoomi', there should be a social system in every village based on values like harmony, compassion and equality that Babasaheb always cherished,” he said.

He added, “Babasaheb advocated self-employment. He set up a firm to do business as a consultant in the trading of stocks and shares. He submitted a memorandum to Viceroy Linlithgow in 1942, demanding the participation of the underprivileged in the tenders of CPWD. Due to his extensive social and political responsibilities, Babasaheb could not give time to his entrepreneurial side. In the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb, opportunities are available to the youth of every section in every field.”