Nagaland celebrates Dr. B R Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 14

Nagaland today paid homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on the occasion of his 125th Birth Anniversary. A State level celebration was organized in Kohima to commemorate the birth of the architect of Indian Constitution, pledged to strengthen social harmony and equity, which was the dream of Dr. Ambedkar.
Social Welfare Minister Kiyanilie Peseyie and Rural Development Minister C.L. John garlanded Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait as a mark of respect to the leader.
Addressing the gathering, Peseyie said that the life of Ambedkar is an inspiration to those growing up in a challenging environment, and his contribution in drafting the constitutions and his vision for women empowerment paved the way for advancement of our nation. The minister appealed to all sections of the people towards maintaining social harmony and equity so that ‘we are able to create on equitable society which was the dream of Dr Ambedkar’.
Minister for Rural Development, C.L. John mentioned that the contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and others have led to the acceptance of welfare state in our constitution, and which led to passing of the landmark legislation in the form of MGNREGA Act in 2006, providing employment and development to rural mass. Marking the occasion series of programmes are being held across the State in all villages which will culminate on Panchayati Raj Day on April 24.
Citing ‘Federalism’ as another important aspect of the Constitution, which is of paramount importance to maintain healthy Centre-State relation without infringing upon each other responsibility defined by Constitution, CL John referred to the unique formation of Nagaland State under Indian Union as a classical case.
Nagaland, he said came into being out of political compulsion, with unique history and through various agreements and Article 371 A of the Constitution exclusively deals with Nagaland wherein it states that any Act passed by the Parliament shall not be applicable to Nagaland unless same is passed by the State Assembly.
Highlighting on the significance of April 24, the day the constitutional Amendment for Panchayati Raj came into force, Kelei Zeliang, IAS, Secretary, Rural Development said the success of the VDB also contributed to the basic formation and concretization of the Panchayati Raj Act, which came into force to provide constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions.
More on page 5
He also gave a brief insight on why decentralization has been necessitated to key government functions and the significance of the 73rd constitutional amendment and of the powers given to the panchayats.
The programme was chaired by Pankaj Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary who also led the oath taking while the Delirose Sakhrie, IAS, Secretary, Social Welfare presented a brief life sketch of Dr BR Ambedkar.