The Punjab Chapter of All India Confederation of SC/ST
Organizations hosted their Second Annual Meet on August 1, 2015 at Jalandhar. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss
the matters of interest to dalit employees both in the Government and Public
Sectors and also their social status in the society at large. The theme of the
meeting was “Philosophy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and its Relevance in the present
Scenario”. Hon’ble MOS for Social
Justice and Empowerment Shri Vijay Sampla was the Chief Guest at the function
in which Chairman of SC Commission of Punjab Shri Rajesh Bagha, Shri B.S. Bharti,
Shri K.P. Chaudhary, President and General Secretary respectively of the
Confederation also participated, apart
from a number of other intellectuals and office bearers of various SC/ST
organizations.
 |
| With MOS Shri Vijay Sampla |
Speaking at the meeting, Shri Ramesh Chander, Retired
Ambassador–IFS mentioned about his proposal submitted to Hon’ble Minister of
External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj to propose at the next UNGA in September,
2015 at New York to declare April 14 (Birth Anniversary) of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
as “International Day of Equality” in commemoration of 125th Birth
Anniversary of the greatest son of India who was the messiah of the down
trodden and the under-privileged masses of India and the world at large (Text
of the letter dated June 12, 2015) to EAM is appened below). The basic tenets
of the philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar were Liberty, Equality and Fraternity which
is not only a basic and fundamental feature of the Indian constitution but also
one of guiding principles of the United Nations. Ambassador Ramesh Chander
noted with satisfaction that the Government of India under the stewardship of
PM Narendra Modi has decided to commemorate Babasaheb Ambedkar in a befitting
manner at the 125th Jayanti of the great leader. He urged the audience at the meeting to
support and endorse his proposal and request PM Narendra Modi to kindly include
it in his address at the forthcoming UNGA at New York. It will go a long way in
paying befitting tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar but also in strengthening the
edifice of Equality and Empowerment, the lofty goals of the UN.
 |
| Ramesh Chander speaking at the function |
I hereby solicit understanding of my fellow countrymen
particularly the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar and request them to kindly
support my proposal to declare April 14, Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as the International
Day of Equality and request PM Narendra Modi to make a demarche to the UNGA in
this regard. It may be done through individual and personal communication to
Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj and PM Narendra Modi or
through ones organization/association to which one is affiliated.
 |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
APPENDIX: Text of Ambassador Ramesh Chander’s letter dated
June 12 addressed to Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj.
Dear Madam,
I am one among the IFS fraternity. After retirement in
December, 2010, I have come back to my roots in Jalandhar. As post retirement
activities, I engage myself in educational and social matters pertaining to the
socially and economically weaker sections of the society. I am a dalit and a
humble follower of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. After the Government’s decision to
observe 125th Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, I wrote to Foreign
Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar (copy enclosed for kind perusal) and offered my
services with regard to the programmes to be made and conducted by the MEA in
this regard.
The purpose of this letter is to make a humble suggestion for
your kind consideration. PM Narendra Modi’s government, particularly you as the
Minister of External Affairs, has given due weightage to India’s “Soft Power”
in diplomacy. The latest feather in your cap is the International Yoga Day
under the aegis of the UN. With a view to honour Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the
greatest sons of India, by celebrating his 125th Birth Anniversary,
the Government has taken a right and laudable decision. It will go a long way
in assuaging the ruffled feelings of millions of poor and socially backward
followers of the great leader. My humble
submission is that it will only be appropriate if India makes yet another
proposal at the next UNGA in September, 2015 to declare 14th April,
birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality. You would
agree, Madam Minister, that it would not only carry forward the UN goals of
“Empowerment” of the weaker sections of the world population but also instill
the democratic values of “Equality, Liberty and Fraternity” in the world order.
These democratic and humane values were dear to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his
spiritual Guru Mahatma Buddha, the greatest son of India.
I am confident that this decision and action of the
Government will be much appreciated by the weaker sections of the society. It
will also be a befitting tribute to the memory and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,
messiah of the under privileged and neglected sections of humanity at large.
Yours sincerely,
(Ramesh Chander)
Smt. Sushma Swaraj,
Minister of External Affairs,
South Block, NEW DELHI - 110011
No comments:
Post a Comment