Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar, to be chief guest at 125-ft statue inauguration: KCR

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao asked officials to make elaborate preparations for the unveiling of a 125-foot-tall bronze statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on NTR Marg on April 14, the anniversary of Ambedkar's birth, during a high-level review meeting with ministers and officials on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister made it clear to the ministers and officials that the unveiling of the 125-foot Ambedkar statue should be carried out on a grand scale, with the entire Telangana people and nation celebrating the occasion with great joy.

KCR said that the tallest statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar in India, which is located next to the State Secretariat, opposite Buddha status, and next to the Telangana Martyrs memorial, would inspire people every day and motivate the entire state administration.

The Chief Minister issued several orders to officials and ministers on this occasion to make elaborate preparations for all of the supporters who would be coming from all over the country to see the statue after it was unveiled.

The Chief Minister asked that the Telangana State Government's programme be carried out with caution in such a historic setting. KCR made it clear to the ministers and officials that all arrangements for the comfort of the guests and people coming from all over the state for the unveiling of the statue should be made.

He said Prakash Ambedkar, BR Ambedkar's grandson, would be honored as the chief guest for the unveiling ceremony on April 14, 2022.

He stated that since it is summer, tents should be set up and preparations made for drinking water, buttermilk, and so on. The Chief Minister asked that all of these plans be carried out for another month.

A massive garland of roses, white chrysanthemums, and betel leaves would be made for the statue. A massive crane would be used to take the massive curtain from BR Ambedkar's statue and replace it with a massive floral garland.

Only Buddhist monks would be invited to participate in this program, which would take place in the traditional way. The Ambedkar statue unveiling meeting would be attended by 35,700 individuals from all 119 constituencies, with 300 from each constituency.

The Chief Minister recalled that it took at least two years after the decision to erect the Ambedkar statue to complete technical and manufacturing measures. KCR expressed his appreciation for the fact that many nations and regions were consulted, information was collected, and the statue was created with full indigenous knowledge.

"The statue installation is more wonderful than I could have imagined," KCR expressed his joy and satisfaction. On this occasion, Chief Minister KCR praised the 98-year-old Padma Bhushan, Ram Vanji Sutar, for his efforts. He said that we would honour him by giving him a special invitation.

"We are going to unveil the great statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar, who is the pride of the nation," said the Chief Minister. "Ambedkar's dedication and struggle as a warrior fighting for social justice will live on in the hearts of future generations of Indians. Ambedkar's goal is realised not only for Dalits, Tribals, Backward Classes, and Indians, but for all people who face discrimination. Ambedkar is known as the Universal Man. The installation of the Ambedkar statue is a constant inspiration to pursue his highest ambitions," the Chief Minister said.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao hailed Dr. BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, for bringing social and economic justice to all parts of society through his vision. Ambedkar made India proud around the globe by sacrificing his entire life for a great cause, he said.

KCR said, "Ambedkar incorporated Article 3 for distinct states during the drafting of the constitution. Ambedkar paved the path for the creation of the state of Telangana".

KCR said that the state secretariat is called after Ambedkar in recognition of the great determination of public representatives and the complete government machinery to work towards Ambedkar's aspirations.

*Decisions taken in the review meeting*

Flowers would be showered by a special helicopter to pay tribute to the Proud of India and the founder of the Constitution of India in a grand manner.

A huge garland with roses, white chrysanthemums and betel leaves would be prepared for the statue.

A huge crane would be used to remove the huge curtain on the statue of BR Ambedkar and decorate it with a giant flower garland.

Only Buddhist monks would be invited for this program and the program would be conducted in their traditional way.

Arrangements would be made to ensure that 35,700 people from all 119 constituencies attend the Ambedkar statue unveiling meeting with 300 people from each constituency.

750 RTC buses would be booked for public transport. Food arrangements would be made for the people who come to the assembly within 50 km before reaching Hyderabad.

Arrangements for dinner should also be taken care of while returning after the meeting.

In addition to Secretariat staff officers HODs of all departments, District Collectors, State Ministers, MPs (Rajya Sabha Lok Sabha), MLCs, MLAs, State Corporation Chairman should attend this program.

Arrangements would be made to ensure that 35,700 people from all 119 constituencies attend the Ambedkar statue unveiling meeting with 300 people from each constituency.

One lakh sweet packets, one and a half lakh butter milk pockets, and one and a half lakh water packets will be distributed to the general population.

Since a large crowd is expected, the full area surrounding the statue should be used. Tents would be set up to shield the people from the heat.

The Hyderabad Commissioner should be in control of trouble-free vehicle parking. A suitable parking area would be identified.

Police administration should consider alternative routes to prevent causing inconvenience to regular commuters on the day of the statue unveiling.

HMDA Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar, GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar, DGP Anjan Kumar, Commissioner CV Anand, Roads and Buildings Department Secretaries were given the responsibility for the arrangements.

Cultural programs would be organized in a grand manner with songs. The Chairman of Cultural wing Rasamayi Balakishan along with Chairman of Warehousing Department and singer Saichand would design the cultural programs. Balakishan would take the responsibility of rehearsals and other preparations for this.

Chief Secretary to Govt Shanthi Kumari would review the arrangements of all programmes .

Ambedkar grandson Prakash Ambedkar would be invited as chief guest for the unveiling ceremony.

Advertisements would be issued to print and electronic media all over the country to highlight the greatness of Ambedkar Mahasaya.

A committee consisting of Ministers Harish Rao, Koppula Eshwar and Prashant Reddy should take appropriate action in this regard. Apart from this, this committee also supervises the arrangements related to the unveiling of the statue and the meeting.

LED screens would be arranged for the audience on this occasion.

• 40,000 chairs would be arranged for the audience.

• Passes would be prepared and issued for the selected invitees, intellectuals and other dignitaries concerned.

• Ambedkar statue architect Ram Vanji Sutar from Maharashtra would be felicitated on behalf of the state government.

The meeting would start at 2 PM and end at 5 PM on April 14, 2023.

Shanthi Kumari, the Chief Secretary to the Government, would deliver the opening remarks. Following that, Koppula Eshwar, the state Welfare Minister, and Prakash Ambedkar will speak. Later in the gathering, CM KCR would speak. Rahul Bojja, Secretary, Welfare Department, will present a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the meeting.