Embassy of India
Thimphu
Press Release: Mahaparinirvana Diwas
On the occasion of 66th death anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Government of India will celebrate Mahaparinirvana Divas on 6 December 2021 as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. In line with the original spirit of the famous slogan "Baba Saheb Amar Rahe", cultural programmes will be held at Sansad Bhawan, Dr. Ambedkar International Center, Panchteerth sites associated with Babasaheb, and other locations such as Ambavade, Symbiosis International University, Pune, Ambedkar Bhawans, and Ambedkar Parks to pay tribute to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on the occasion of his 66th death anniversary.
Babasaheb was regarded as a Buddhist guru because of his great influence in India to eradicating the social scourge of untouchability. Ambedkar's admirers and followers believe he was as influential as Lord Buddha, which is why his death anniversary is celebrated as Mahaparinirvana Divas.
The programmes will begin at the Parliament House, where the Hon'ble President and Prime Minister will pay floral tributes to Baba Saheb's statue, followed by Buddhist monks reciting Dhamma Puja, and then special songs dedicated to Dr. Ambedkar will be performed in the Parliament by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's Song and Drama Division.
Honorable Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, speaking at a press conference for the Mahaparinirvan Divas programme at Dr. Ambedkar International Center, recalled Babasaheb and stated, "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has declared five important places related to Babasaheb's life as Panchteerth, highlighting the importance of these five places, a documentary film has been produced by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation which will be displayed on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Divas at Dr. Ambedkar International Center as well as other places.”
The organizer of the program, Shri Vikas Trivedi, Director, Dr. Ambedkar International Center and Foundation said, “Invited as the Chief Guest at the Center for Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Hon'ble Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar along with Guest of Honour, Hon'ble Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijuju and Hon'ble Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri. Kaushal Kishore, will inaugurate the program of Mahaparinirvana Divas by paying floral tributes to Dr. Ambedkar's statue, in the gracious presence of Shri R. Subramaniam, the Ministry’s Secretary.
Sharing the information, he further said, "After paying floral tributes to the statue of Baba Saheb, Buddhist monks will recite Dhamma Puja and then our chief guest, Hon’ble Dr. Virendra Kumar will launch the special book published by Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, named, “Social Justice and Empowerment: Reflections from Dr. Ambedkar Chairs" and he will continue to release the brochure based on Dr. Ambedkar's Panchteerth, schemes and scholarships for Scheduled Caste students by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment."
Programs relating to Mahaparinirvana Diwas will be held at various Ambedkar Chairs, Ambedkar Bhawans, and Ambedkar Parks, in addition to Parliament House and the Dr. Ambedkar International Center and Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial, where Ms. Pratima Bhowmick Hon'ble Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment will preside..
Along with this, on the gracious day, Ambedkar Chairs will organise panel discussions/memorial lectures on various aspects of Dr. Ambedkar's philosophy, ideology, and mission in various universities and institutions across the country.
Programs will also be held by the Ministry of External Affairs at the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial in London, District level programmes across the country shall also be held as per communication to Chief Secretaries/Principals/Secretary / DM / DC. The documentary film based on Panchteerth will also be screened live by the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
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5 December 2021
