'Emulate values of Ambedkar'

Addressing the 120th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar at Kaveri Kalakshethra in Madikeri on Thursday, he said that Dalits should strive to come to the mainstream of the society and live with dignity.

“Dr Ambedkar had several bitter experiences during his childhood but he never let himself get affected by such experiences. He took it as a challenge, educated himself and later went on to become the voice of the suppressed classes,” he said calling upon the Dalits to learn from the life of Dr B R Ambedkar.

He said that each and every citizen of the country should imbibe the thinking and principles of Dr B R Ambedkar so as to live in harmony in the society. “Government has chalked out several programmes for the welfare of the Dalits. BJP government at the State has set aside Rs 7,000 crore for the welfare of the Dalits,” he said.

The programme was inaugurated by Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah. He said that Ambedkar spoke of both rights as well as duties of the citizens in the Constitution, thereby implying to the citizens that each one of them have a role to play in the progress of the country.

“Ambedkar has written a Constitution taking into consideration every person and every walk of life. Though amendments have been made to the Constitution, the core essence still remains to be the same,” Bopaiah said. FMC College Kannada Professor Dr Somanna Hongalli spoke about the life Dr B R Ambedkar.

Town Municipal Council President Nandakumar presided over the programme. Deputy Commissioner K H Ashwathnarayana Gowda, ZP CEO Shashikumar, Kodagu circle forest conservator Krishnegowda among others were present.