Seeking to appropriate the legacy of dalit icon B R Ambedkar, the BJP-led NDA government will develop five places as "Panchteerth" in his honour and laid the foundation stone of a memorial to be built at Alipur Road where he spent his last days.
After unveiling the plaque at a function at Vigyan Bhawan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the "Panchteerth" include Amedbkar's birthplace in Mhow, the place in London where he stayed while studying in UK, 'Deeksha Bhoomi' in Nagpur, where he took education and 'Mahaparinirvan Sthal' in Delhi, and 'Chaitya Bhoomi' in Mumbai.
He said, in addition, the government is also building the Dr Ambedkar Foundation at 15, Janpath in Delhi.
Modi said on Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14, the government will launch the National Agriculture Market, an e-platform for farmers to get the best possible price for their produce.
Highlighting the vision of Ambedkar, he said the icon had not just drafted the Constitution but has envisioned a power structure for electrifying every village in the country, harnessing the country's maritime strength and was a messiah of labourers in the country as he brought about labour reforms, apart from being a strong votary of women equality.
Talking of recent policy initiatives and legislative measures, the Prime Minister said the vision for developing India's maritime potential, and indeed for Inland Waterways, was first conceived by Ambedkar.
On his birth anniversary, the Prime Minister said, India would host an international event at Mumbai to help harness maritime strengths and create waterways.
Ambedkar also had a vision for providing electricity to all unconnected villages, which the Union Government has promised by 2018, he said, adding that it is also a step towards fulfilling his vision.
The Prime Minister also recalled his recent meetings and interactions with Dalit entrepreneurs and the suggestions made by them. He said all these suggestions had been implemented by the Union Government in the recent Union Budget.
He also took a dig at the media for not highlighting such initiatives as the "media never highlighted the good things".
