On the 125th Birth Jayanti of Dr. BR Ambedkar, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave his approval to launch ‘Dr. BR Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme’ for the brilliant students of 10th and +2 classes of Government Schools across the state.A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal while presiding over a meeting of 125th Dr. BR Ambedkar Janam Shatabdai Utsav Committee to finalize the year-long celebrations during 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. BR Ambedkar here at Punjab Bhawan this morning.The Chief Minister approved those 125 toppers each from class 10th and +2 from Government Schools would be awarded with ‘Dr. BR Ambedkar Scholarship’ carrying prize money of Rs. one lac and Rs. 1.5 lac respectively from all the districts. It was also decided in the meeting to organize a series of seminars on the life, philosophy and works of Dr. Ambedkar in the universities of the state. The Chief Minister also constituted a committee comprising Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, Mr. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal Chairman 125th Dr. BR Ambedkar Janam Shatabdai Utsav Committee and Vice Chancellors of State Universities besides Secretary Higher Education as a Nodal Officer of this committee.
The committee would prepare a detailed schedule for organizing the seminars in state and private universities simultaneously. Initially, the Punjabi University, Patiala would organize the seminar dedicated to the 125th Dr. BR Ambedkar Birth Jayanti in July, 2016 which would be attended by the eminent scholars, political thinkers and academicians of National and International repute to throw light on the varied aspects of Dr. Ambedkar’s multi-faceted personality and his vision. The Chief Minister also gave his nod to establish Department of Babasaheb Ambedkar Studies in the Punjabi University on the pattern of such Centre already established in Nagpur University, Maharashtra. Mr. Badal also asked the Departments of Higher Education and Schools Education to also hold declamation contests, quiz and paper reading competitions on the life and works of Dr. Ambedkar to motivate the students. The Chief Minister also gave nod to dedicate first two days of next Assembly Session exclusively to highlight the philosophy and vision on different facets of the Father of the Constitution besides as a role model to ameliorate the lot of unprivileged sections of society with a sharpened focus, on the pattern of recently held two-day session dedicated to Dr. Ambedkar in the Indian Parliament.Mr. Badal also gave approval to hold a state level function on the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar at Phagwara on April 14 this.The Chief Minister also entrusted the task of getting 47 volumes of Dr. Ambedkar’s writings and lectures translated from English to Punjabi to the Punjabi University and asked its Vice Chancellor to form a panel of experts so that this work could be accomplished in a time bound manner.
Prominent amongst who were present in the meeting included Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, State BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma, MLAs Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr. SS Phillaur, Chairman 125th Dr. BR Ambedkar Janam Shatabdai Utsav Committee Mr. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal Singh, Chairman Punjab State Backward Classes Commission Prof. Kirpal Singh Bandugar, Chairman Punjab State Schedule Caste Commission Mr. Rajesh Bagha, Chairman Dalit Bhalai Board Mr. Vijay Danav, Chairman Punjab State Safai Karamchari Commission Mr. Rajkumar Atikaye Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary Higher Education Mr. Anurag Verma, Director Information & Public Relations Dr. Senu Duggal, DPI (Secondary Education) Mr. BS Dhol, Director Cultural Affairs Mr. NPS Randhawa .