As a tribute and mark of respect to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Father of Indian Constitution and a leading social reformer, the National Monuments Authority has recommended two major sites associated with him to be declared as Monuments of National importance.
The sites recommended are the Sankalp Bhumi Banyan tree campus located in Vadodara. This is where Ambedkar had taken a resolve on September 23, 1917, to eradicate untouchability. This place is more than 100 years old and is a witness to the beginning of the social respect revolution heralded by. Ambedkar.
The other site recommended by NMA is in Satara, Maharashtra, where Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar received his primary education. This is the Pratap Rao Bhosle High School. The school register in this institution still shows with pride the signatures of the child student Bhim Rao in Marathi. At present the school is under Zila Parishad and is in a dilapidated condition.
These recommendations have been placed before the Minister of State, Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal by the NMA.
The Chairman of NMA, Tarun Vijay described the two sites as “priceless heritage in the region of social harmony and equality”, which “must be declared and preserved as a Monument of National importance”.