Address Governor at the presentation of the Dr Ambedkar Ratna Awards at BSE Convention Hall, Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai
Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the presentation of the Dr Ambedkar Ratna Awards at BSE Convention Hall, Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai at 5.00 PM on Saturday 2 July 2016
Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Hansraj Ahir, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Ramdas Athavale, President, Republican Party of India (A), Shri Babanrao Pachpute, former Minister, Padmashree Smt Kalpana Saroj, President, Kalpana Saroj Foundation, Shri Ashish Chouhan, MD & CEO, Bombay Stock Exchange, all the distinguished awardees, invitees, ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon and greetings to you.
I am indeed very happy to associate myself with the presentation of the Ambedkar Ratna Awards organized by the Kalpana Saroj Foundation.
At the outset, I would like to congratulate the Foundation for instituting the Ambedkar Ratna Awards and for presenting these awards to deserving personalities from various walks of life.
This year the nation is celebrating the historic occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. It was very thoughtful of Smt Kalpana Saroj and her Foundation to have organized the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Ambedkar at the United Nations headquarters. I would like to congratulate Smt Kalpana Saroj for her initiative in taking the Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations at the global level.
It is only appropriate that this function, commemorating the life and work of a global icon is taking place in the Bombay Stock Exchange, which is itself regarded as an icon in the Indian capital market.
I congratulate all the distinguished personalities who have been honoured with the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Ratna Awards.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A majority of the people of India know Dr Ambedkar as the Architect of the Indian Constitution. However, Dr Ambedkar was also a brilliant scholar, journalist, educationist, a legal luminary, social reformer, political stalwart and a statesman. Dr Ambedkar dedicated his life to lead the crusade for the rights of the down-trodden and the voiceless millions. He was adored by millions as the messiah of the oppressed classes. If you ask me to name the ‘Man of the 20th Century in India’, my answer will be only one : Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
The Indian Constitution drafted under his guidance and leadership has served as the most effective instrument of socio-economic empowerment of the most vulnerable communities of India.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dr Ambedkar was also a brilliant economist. Dr Ambedkar had rightly said that industrialization will give maximum benefit to our Dalit sisters and brothers. I am pleased to note that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has reiterated the commitment of the Government of India to achieve the goal of financial inclusion.
The newly launched Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has so far provided loans worth Rupees one lakh crore to small enterperneuers, many of whom come from the backward castes. The Government expects that the number of Dalit enterpreneurs will double in the next two years.
The Government of India has also launched the ambitious ‘Start Up India, Stand Up India’ programme to promote enterprise. I do feel that organizations like the Kalpana Saroj Foundation, the Dalit Chamber of Commerce and Industries – DICCI – and others must organize expert talks and guidance seminar for the benefit of youths and motivate them to become enterperneurs. They should be advised on various government programmes and schemes, and how to benefit from these schemes.
Real empowerment of Dalits will happen only when they become job creators and creators of wealth. We have to produce job creators, not job seekers.
Smt Kalpana Saroj is an example of grit and determination. She is a successful enterpreneur herself. I will call upon her to create India’s first Dalit Women Enterpreneurs’ Chamber in Maharashtra.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Maharashtra, and particularly the city of Mumbai was Karmabhumi for Dr Ambedkar. It was in this great city that Dr Ambedkar spent nearly four decades of his life. There are many places in the city associated with his life and work. I do feel that we must create and develop ‘Dr Ambedkar Circuit’ in Mumbai for the benefit of the people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Even though there are laws and regulations guaranteeing the rights and dignity to the Dalits, it is a fact that the Dalits continue to suffer oppression, discrimination and even humiliation in towns and villages and even in office spaces. Women in particular are more vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination.
Even today we hear stories of social boycott and honour killings. And therefore, all right thinking people must unite and strive to create a society based on the principles of equality, justice and dignity. It will be a real tribute to Dr Ambedkar.
It is said that when Bhagwan Buddha was dying, he gave a very important message to his disciple. The message was Atta Deep Bhava. Which means, Be your own light, Swayam Deep Bhava. Real emancipation of the Dalits will happen only when they help themselves.
With these words, I once again congratulate all the recipients of the Dr Ambedkar Ratna Awards and wish them success in their future endeavours.
I pay my respects to the memory of late Dr Ambedkar on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary and convey my appreciation to the Kalpana Saroj Foundation for organizing the felicitation function.
Thank you
Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!