PGI Celebrates Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti

By 121 News

Chandigarh 14^th April:- PGI celebrated the birth anniversary of "the founding father of modern India" Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar today at the Lecture Theatre Complex, Nehru Hospital. This auspicious occasion commemorated the 124^th birth anniversary of one of the greatest personalities of modern India. The institute paid tribute to this great son of the Indian soil who is not only known to be an astute educationist, economist and administrator but also a social reformer, political thinker, parliamentarian and constitutionalist of exceptionally high order.

Prof Yogesh Chawla, Director PGI was the chief guest and Prof. Digambar Behera (Sr. Prof. and Head, Department of Pulmonology, PGI, Chandigarh) presided over the function. Dr S. P. Mandal (President) and Rishipal Gautam (Secretary) of the SC & ST Employees Welfare Association of PGI, Chandigarh was also present on the dais. The dignitaries paid homage to Babasaheb with flowers and by garlanding his photograph. Dr S. P. Mandal welcomed the audience and briefed about the event. Prof Behera enlightened about the contribution of this luminous patriot of India and his global contribution to the human existence. He said that despite being born in the lowest caste of the country and facing all kinds of oppression and the curse of "untouchability", but with his will power, dedication and love for the nation Dr Ambedkar rose to a position from which he could advocate a social democracy firmly established on the principles of liberty, equality, fraternity and humanity which was beyond caste, creed and gender. He not only became the father of the Indian constitution but also laid the economic foundation of the nation. Noble laurel Dr Amartya Sen claimed Dr Ambedkar to be his father in economics and Mr Barak Obama (President, USA) while addressing the Indian parliament in 2010 referred and paid tribute to Dr Ambedkar. Prof. Chawla also guided the august gathering on the pious occasion with his words of wisdom. He suggested taking inspiration from the challenges that transformed Dr Ambedkar into a national champion and a global personality. He highlighted the contributions of Babasaheb in nation building at various levels for which he was awarded the rare honour of "Bharat Ratna". He reiterated that the PGI was bound to abide and followed the path shown by the esteemed leader. Both Dr Chawla and Dr Behera were felicitated by the SC & ST employees of PGI with mementos.