Chaityabhoomi:Mahaparinirvan Din celebrated by lakhs of people; little national media attention

Mahaparinirvan Din celebrated by lakhs of people; little national media attention
December 06, 2010 04:15 PM |
Raj Pradhan and Abhishek Rajak

Click here to view more images 

As 1,50,000 people converge at Chaityabhoomi to pay homage to Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution on his 54th death anniversary

A sea of humanity descended from all over the country at Chaityabhoomi, Dadar, in central Mumbai, to pay homage to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, on his 54th death anniversary today.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, passed away on 6 December 1956. The day is observed as Mahaparinirvan Din. The last rites were performed at Chaityabhoomi near Shivaji Park, Dadar.

As has been the tradition, hundreds of people began coming to the city some days ago and today the queues were unending. This has become possible with the growing support of all political parties. While arrangements for hygiene and sanitation still leaves a lot to be desired, the crowd management and overall discipline of the people has been commendable.

The queues of people looking forward to a glimpse of the statue of Dr Ambedkar in the sanctorum stretched for a few kilometres, around the historic Shivaji Park nearby, to adjacent Worli and disappearing into the fishing village there. Moneylife photographed images of the awe-inspiring occasion on a walkabout along the route the queues had formed and right into the inner sanctum, this afternoon.

The civic departments made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the people converging at the Chaityabhoomi. Water tankers, wash rooms and about 200 toilets were set up and over 800 workers were engaged to maintan cleanliness in the area where the people have been camping.

Hundreds of volunteers were distributing food and water. Many were even busy helping families trace some members who were lost in the crowds.

With shops around Shivaji Park prudently opting to remain closed, the pavements were taken over by hawkers selling books, photographs, candles, flowers and a variety of charms and trinkets for out-of-town visitors.  Strangely, this gigantic annual gathering of over 1,50,000 (estimates by the police control room) found hardly a mention in the mainline English media this morning.

However, while the sponsored visit of the crowds to Mumbai may improve, it is clear that even the best civic and police administrators cannot prevent the accompanying chaos and hardship to those who live in the area. So, some residents even leave the area for a couple of days, to return after the crowds have departed. The one blessing this occasion does bring, is that during these days people in the area receive water supply round-the-clock.

Perhaps one solution that can be considered is to provide more space for this enormous gathering of people by developing a part of the neighbouring government-owned Indu Mills as a place of homage and remembrance for a leader, who seems to be growing in stature even decades after his demise. One blessing in the past year is the Worli-Bandra sealink that allows north-south commuters to skip the Veer Savarkar road, which runs through the area, and avoiding the previous nightmarish traffic jams on the day.

http://www.moneylife.in/article/78/11923.html

Politicians eye Dalit vote

Politics is all about hitting at the right time. Many political parties in the state have geared up to woo the Dalit community by becoming a part of the 54th death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Monday at Shivaji Park. Usually, all political parties show respect to Babasaheb on his death

anniversary, also known as Mahaparinirvan Din, but the presence of non-Dalit politicians is likely to be more this year in view of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections.

 

The entire cabinet, including chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, are likely to make a journey from Nagpur to pay homage to the Dalit leader.

Other political parties are also planning to make their presence felt amongst the five lakh Dalit devotees who throng Shivaji Park. The opposition parties have also prepared themselves to reach out to the community by deploying their members at the ground to assist the visitors.

“Our cadres will be at the ground to help the people. We will also set up food stalls for the visitors,” BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said.

Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has set up kiosks to sell literature on Dr Ambedkar, and also medical check-up camps for people coming to Chaityabhoomi on Monday. “Our cadres will be manning these stalls. This occasion gives us a good chance to serve the people,” MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said.

The Shiv Sena too has arranged for food for the visitors.

The 12 factions of the Republican Party of India, set up by Babasaheb, will also display their strength at the ground. Several Dalit leaders, including, Prakash Ambedkar, Ramdas Athavale, Jogendra Kawade, Namdeo Dhasal, Surekha Kumbhare, Rajendra Gavai, and T M Kamble, will be present there.

Incidentally, the strength of Dalit parties has been waning, as the RPI failed to win any seat in the assembly elections.

Political analyst Surendra Jondhale said: “It is a telling statement on Dr Ambedkar’s contribution to the Dalit community that even 54 years after his death, lakhs of people converge to pay tribute to him. At the same time, it also shows that Dalits have not been able to find a leader of his stature.”

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Politicians-eye-Dalit-vote/Article1-634888.aspx

 

NTC gives 4 acres for Chaityabhoomi project

 

MUMBAI: The National Textile Corporation (NTC), which owns the India United Mill No. 5, has agreed to part with a four-acre plot for the Chaityabhoomi expansion project. The Chaityabhoomi ground, next to Shivaji Park, is the final resting place of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. As part of the beautification project, the state will construct university for social justice named after Babasaheb Ambedkar, a Vipassana meditation centre, a Bhikkhu Nivas (for Buddhist monks), among other amenities.

A decision was taken in a meeting between the urban development department and NTC officials in Mantralaya on Thursday. The plot is located along the sea in Dadar.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan had requested Union textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran to allot land for the project. A senior state government official said, “The NTC wants to construct a hotel with a convention centre on the remaining eight-acre plot. We will give the entire floor space index (FSI) to the NTC.”

The state government will sign a memorandum of understanding in October with the NTC. Since the plot is next to the sea, the development will require a nod from the Union ministry of environment and forests.

The NTC has also agreed to hand over a plot for setting up of a vocational guidance centre for mill workers and their wards by December 31.

Read more: NTC gives 4 acres for Chaityabhoomi project – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/NTC-gives-4-acres-for-Chaityabhoomi-project/articleshow/6616544.cms#ixzz17JPOzwc4