Celebration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Chandigarh, 22^nd April 2016: The Government of India is celebrating the 125^th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar with full enthusiasm in all over the country from 14^th April to 24^th April 2016.

In the memory of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar the Government of India is celebrating with great enthusiasm all over the country. As a first step towards these celebrations, the Government has declared 14^th April 2016 as “Rashtriya Samrasta Divas”. The Government of India has proposed to undertake a “Gramoday se Bharat Uday Abhiyan” in all the Gram Panchayats and Gram Sabhas of the country. The objective of the Abhiyan is to encourage Social hormony, promote farmers’ progress, improve livelihoods of the poor and strengthen Panchayati Raj system by educating them about the various initiatives/programmes/schemes undertaken by the Government.

Strengthening the initiative taken by the Government of India, Chandigarh Administration is also conducting a campaign in this regard in the villages of Union Territory of Chandigarh that is undertaken by the Gram Panchayats covering the Social Harmony, Kisan Sabha and Gram Sabha.

As a part of the celebrations of 125^th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, today an essay competition was organized in the schools by the Director Social Welfare Department. A campaign was conducted to bring awareness between the people titled as “Samajik Samta se Gaon Ka Vikas/village Development through Social Equality” and a medical camp was also organized at village Kaimbwala in collaboration with Bharat Vikas Parishad.

A special function was organized at Punjab Kala Bhawan, wherein a skit, “Chhipne se Pehle” based on the time spent by Bhagat Singh in Jail was performed by Balkar Sidhu group. A gidha performance was also presented during the occasion. During the function Sh. Parimal Rai, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh - Chief Guest for the function and Sh. K. Narsimha, IAS, Secretary Agriculture & Rural Development, the Guest of honour also distributed awards to children and NGO’s. Among other senior officers present during the function were Sh. Ajit Balaji Joshi, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, UT, Chandigarh, Smt. Kriti Garg, IAS, SDM (south) and officers from the rural development department, Sarpanch’s and members from various Panchayats and councillors.

The 10 day long celebrations had begun with the Shobha Yatra on 12^th April 2016 followed by an oath taking ceremony on 14^th April 2016 in twelve Gram Panchayats of Union Territory of Chandigarh. A camp was organized regarding loan scheme/skill development training programme at village Dhanas by the Social Welfare Department.  A van was also deputed to display photographs and literature of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for spreading the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during the whole campaign by the Public Relations Department, Union Territory, Chandigarh.

 On 15^th April 2016 a camp was organized regarding loan scheme/skill development training programme at village Dadumajra by the Social Welfare Department. On the day a Nukkar Natak was played by the residents of village Sarangpur on untouchability. A medical camp was also organized at village Khuda Alisher in collaboration with Bharat Vikas Parishad.

On 16^th April 2016 A special camp was organized regarding loan scheme/ skill development training programme at village Dhanas by the Social Welfare Department. Besides a Culture programme, Mahndi & hairstyle competition was organized. A special sanitation drive was carried out by the Rural Dev. & Panchayats Department. A medical camp was also organized at village Khuda Jassu and a Chetna Rally was organized from Sector 29 to Sector 20, Chandigarh by the Sewa Bharti.

On 17^th April 2016 a camp was organized to bring awareness between the people regarding financial scheme, pension etc. at village Kajheri in collaboration with Senior Citizen Association. A special sanitation drive was carried out by the Rural Dev. & Panchayat Department and a medical camp was also organized at village Khuda Lahora in collaboration with the Bharat Vikas Parishad.

On 18^th April 2016 Early in the morning a Prabhat Pheri was organized and in the evening a culture programme was also organized. A meeting of Gram Sabha was also organized in which different issues were discussed. On this day a quiz programme was also held in the schools by the Social Welfare Department. A medical camp was also organized at village Mauli Jagran in collaboration with Bharat Vikas Parishad. Vichar Goshti was also held at Sewa Dhaam, Sector 29, Chandigarh by the Sewa Bharti.

On 19^th April 2016 Gram Sabha meeting was held in 6 villages. A poster making competition was organized for the students of category1 - Class VI to VIII & for category 2 -class IX to XII on the topic “Mera Adarsh Gram/My Model village”. On this day eye–dental-blood tests were conducted at village Raipur Khurd in collaboration with Bharat Vikas Parishad.

On 20^th April 2016 Inter village Sports competition were organized in Khuda Alisher by the Rural Dev. & Panchayat Department. A Medical camp was also organized at village Behlana in collaboration with Bharat Vikas Parishad.