Badal approves scholarship scheme named after Dr Ambedkar

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today approved the launch of 'Dr B R Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme' for meritorious students of Class X and XII of government schools.
The decision was taken by Badal while presiding over a meeting of 125th Dr B R Ambedkar Janam Shatabdi Utsav Committee to finalise the year-long celebrations.
As many as 125 toppers each from class X and XII from government schools would be awarded the scholarship of Rs one lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively.
It was also decided to organise a series of seminars on the life, philosophy and works of Ambedkar in universities of the state.

The Chief Minister constituted a committee comprising Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash, 125th Dr B R Ambedkar Janam Shatabdi Utsav Committee Chairman Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal and vice chancellors of state universities.
Secretary Higher Education will be the Nodal Officer of the committee which would prepare a schedule for organising the seminars.

Punjabi University, Patiala, would organise the seminar in July which would be attended by eminent scholars, political thinkers and academicians of national and international repute to throw light on the varied aspects of Ambedkar's personality and his vision.
Badal also approved establishment of Department of Babasaheb Ambedkar Studies in Punjabi University on the pattern of such a Centre in Nagpur University.

He also asked the Departments of Higher Education and Schools Education to hold declamation contests, quiz and paper reading competitions on 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 of Ambedkar, on the pattern of recently held two-day session in the Parliament.
Badal also gave approval to a state level function on the birth anniversary of Ambedkar at Phagwara on April 14.