Udupi: The 124th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar was celebrated at the Town Hall, Ajjarkad here on, April 14.
The programme began with an invocation. H S Premanath, district Social Welfare Development Officer, welcomed the gathering.
Vinay Kumar Sorake, Minister for Urban Development and district minister in-charge, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp and offering a floral tribute to Ambedkar’s portrait.
In his inaugural message, Vinay Kumar Sorake said that the messages given by great social and spiritual leaders, such as Ambekdar and Mahatma Gandhi, had relevance all over the world. Ambedkar had laid a strong foundation for the unity and integrity of India by framing the Constitution. He said that the constitution of India is considered one of the best documents in the world. The principles laid down by Ambedkar should be practiced, he added.
Expressing anguish over the poor attendance at the function organised by the district administration to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanthi, he said that it was the responsibility of leaders of all political parties to see that such events are celebrated by all.
Surendra Shetty Thekkatte in his talk on Dr B R Ambedkar said that Ambedkar always focused on moral values and education for rational thinking.
He had opposed oppression of the lower class by the priestly class. People should raise their voice against injustice committed in the name of discrimination. Stating that Ambedkar proposed to eliminate caste and class system, the academician said that there was a need for a revolution to uphold the values preached and practiced by Ambedkar.
Deputy Commissioner Dr R Vishal, Zilla Panchayat CEO Kanagavalli, City Municipal Council president Yuvaraj were present.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Dr R Vishal along with Zilla Panchayat CEOKanagavalli and RTO Arun Kumar Singh garlanded the statue of B R Ambedkarat the DC Office.