The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment & Chairperson of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Thaawar Chand Gehlot gave away prizes to the winners of the National Essay Competition for the years 2013 & 2014. The Minister congratulating the winners highlighted the contribution of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar both in the drafting of the Indian Constitution, which is considered as one of the best constitutions of the world and emancipation of the downtrodden. He emphasized that the relevance of the Constitution would remain forever. While quoting Dr. Ambedkar, the Minister highlighted that every citizen has a right for education. Education plays a key role in the development of the personality of a person. He concluded that the winners of the Essay Competition should be an inspiration for others.
Sudhir Bhargava, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment while mentioning the importance of education, highlighted the education of Dr. Ambedkar in Columbia University, USA and London School of Economics, UK and the ideology and philosophy of Babasaheb.The Minister also released the braille version of volume no.1, 5 ,7& 11 of Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, brought out by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation with the assistance of the National Institute of Visually Handicapped, Dehradun for the benefit of visually impaired people. Under the Scheme, the 1st prize winners in the senior category both in English and Hindi languages separately get the cash prize of Rs.1.00 lakh, the 2nd prize carries the cash prize of Rs.50,000/- and the 3rd prize carries Rs.25,000/-. In the junior category, cash prizes are given to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd winners @ Rs.25, 000/-, 15,000/- & 10,000/- respectively both in Hindi and English languages separately.The Essay Competition -2013 and 2014 were on Dr. Ambedkar, and Woman empowerment; Dr. Ambedkar a social reformer; Dr. Ambedkar on annihilation of cast etc.