Nation remembers Ambedkar, Shekhawat offers tributes

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) The nation today paid homage to the architect of the Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar on his 115th birth anniversary.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat offered floral tributes at the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Parliament House lawns here.

Prominent among others who paid tributes to the late leader were Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar, Deputy Speaker Charnjit Singh Atwal and several Members of Parliament.

Hundreds of people visited Parliament House Complex this morning to pay homage to the ''leader of the downtrodden''.

In Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy paid floral tributes to Dr Ambedkar's statue and said he had played an important role in adequate provisions in the Constitution to safeguard the interests of the weaker sections.

Several Ministers and Congress leaders also participated in the function.

Glowing tributes were also paid to Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Tamil Nadu with leaders of various political parties, including DMK Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy, Union Minister T R Baalu, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President M Krishnasamy and BJP State President C P Radhakrishnan paying homage to the late leader Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh visited 'Chaityabhoomi', memorial of the late leader in Dadar central Mumbai and paid homage. Congress and NCP leaders also recalled his contribution to the upliftment of the backward classes.

In Lucknow, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav garlanded Dr Ambedkar's statue at Hazratganj crossing on the occasion.

Mr Yadav said Dr Ambedkar was not only the leader of the dalit, but the entire nation. ''He was a mesiah of the backward and tried to create a uniform society in the country.'' BSP workers also held functions across Uttar Pradesh on the occasion.

In Pondicherry, state Agriculture Minister A Namasivayam, MLAs and senior officals garlanded the leader's statue at Bharathi Park.

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