President Ram Nath Kovid on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a memorial in the name of iconic Dalit leader Dr Ambedkar that will be built in Lucknow by the Uttar Pradesh government.
The function took place virtually, with Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Adityanath and his two deputies, among those in attendance.
The UP government’s move to build a memorial dedicated to the Indian constitution is politically significant with an Assembly election due in just a few months.
President Kovid, whose hometown is in Uttar Pradesh, is the second Dalit President of India and is currently on a three-day visit to the state. Today is the third day.
In a presentation at the function, the UP government said, ‘Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Centre’ would be built on 1.34 acres of land and include a statue of Dr Ambedkar, a museum and a research centre, as well as other facilities.
“Babasaheb used to say that in every democracy it is the government’s duty to work for everyone. Various political parties use different slogans – Sab ka Saath Sabka Vikaas’, which is the ruling BJP’s slogan for instance – and that is ok. However, I am happy the current government is working for the benefit of everyone,” President Kovid said in his address.
Before the president’s address, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke about furthering Dr Ambedkar’s legacy. “Whenever one speaks of the poor and the downtrodden in India, Dr Ambedkar’s name is remembered as someone who did a lot for their upliftment,” he said.