For their leader

“We queued up on Saturday night and our chance came only in the morning at around 10,” said Chandrakant Gayakward from Nashik. “Till the time I can walk,I will come to pay tribute to my god,” said Sudha Gayakward,Chandrakant’s mother.

Hawkers did good business on the day by selling Ambedkar photos,religious books,banners and batches. A group of young volunteers from Dhamm Upasak Upasika informed people about the significance of the day.

“Many think that it is a day of celebrations. We put up banners telling people to wear white,” said Vaibhav Sonawane from the organisation.

Various social issues were raised by NGOs on electoral reforms,girl child and healthcare. Polio booths were set up for children below five who visited Chaityabhoomi.

“We all know that the government is doing nothing for Dalits. It is a shame that police inspector Manohar Kadam despite being proven guilty is out on bail,” said Datta Wankhede adding,”After Dr Ambedkar there hasn’t been a single leader who has done a thing for the Dalit cause.’

Politicians also paid homage to the leader. Among them were Chief Minister Ashok Chavan,state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre,Congress leader Chandrakant Handore and minister Naseem Khan. Deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal,RPI leader Ramdas Athavale and Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar also paid homage to Ambedkar. Functions were organised at the Congress and NCP offices and Vidhan Bhawan to mark the occasion.

Deputy Commissioner Police Milind Barambe (Zone 5) said,”The Chaityabhoomi event went without any mishaps. We had a force of more than 1,400 police personnel along with Quick Response Teams,State Reserve Police Force and combat vehicles. The total manpower deployed for the event at Shivaji Park was somewhere near 1,500.”