Tributes paid to Dr BR Ambedkar; followers throng 'Chaityabhoomi'

MUMBAI: Rich tributes were on Friday paid to Dalit icon Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary, observed as 'Mahaparinirvan Din' by thousands of his followers from across Maharashtra who converged here at his memorial 'Chaityabhoomi' in suburban Dadar.

The anniversary is being observed in the backdrop of the Centre's decision to hand over the India United (Indu) Mill land here for the construction of Ambedkar memorial here, a demand by his followers which had been pending for long.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who was among the leaders who paid homage to the late leader said, "the state as the Central governments were committed to set an international level Ambedkar memorial."

At Mantralaya, the state secretariat, floral tributes were offered to Ambedkar, who was the prime architect of the Indian Constitution. At Vidhan Bhawan, Legislature staff also paid tributes to Ambedkar.

The city's public transport wing, BEST undertaking, ran special buses between Dadar and Shivaji Park, an official said, adding that food stalls were also being put up to provide free snacks there.

The BMC set up temporary sheds, mobile toilets and six medical stalls at Shivaji Park, Dadar Station, at Rajgriha (Ambedkar's residence) and Kurla Terminus. Arrangements were also made to provide drinking water at Shivaji Park, they said.