Published On : Tue, May 28th, 2013

NMC, other prominent leaders salute Bhim Sainiks who laid down their lives for ‘Namantar’ Movement

Advertisement

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation erected the gigantic and beautiful Namantar Shahid Smarak (Martyrdom Memorial) in memory of those Bhim Sainiks, who gave their supreme sacrifice for naming Marathwada University after Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, which was dedicated to the people fittingly on the eve of auspicious Buddha Jayanti at Indora Bridge 10 on Kamptee Road, Nagpur

Nagpur News: Dr Jogendra Kawade, a former MP and the pioneer of a long march launched by him 16 years ago for Namantar Movement (Naming Movement) for Marathwada Unversity  after Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, said the fight for Namantar was for pride of India. Dr Babasaheb dreamt of a powerful  India by getting rid of untouchability and casteism prevailed during ancient period.

“A nation stands after sacrifice and laying lives for a nation’s cause. The fight for naming Marathwada University after Dr Ambedkar was not a single person’s fight but was a movement launched with massive support of people which bore the fruits after 16 years of continuous struggle. The Indora Bridge No. 10 which inspired thousands of Bhim Sainiks to launch the long march which witnessed bloody sacrifice by the Bhim Sainiks, now, stands as Shahid Smarak (Martyrdom Memorial) in a glorious and magnificent way fittingly saluting the sacrifice of Bhim Sainiks,” said an emotional Kawade. “This Memorial would continue to inspire the present and future generations as well,” Jogendra Kawade asserted.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC,  saluting the bloody sacrifice by Bhim Sainiks for the cause of Namantar, erected the gigantic and beautiful Namantar Shahid Smarak (Martyrdom Memorial) which was dedicated to the people fittingly on the eve of auspicious  Buddha Jayanti (Buddha Birth Anniversary) at Indora Bridge 10 on Kamptee Road, Nagpur.

The prominent personalities who graced the function and were seated on the dais include Nitin Gadkari, former BJP President, Devendra Fadnavis, South-West Nagpur MLA and State unit BJP President, West Nagpur MLA Sudhakar Deshmukh, Central Nagpur MLA Vikas Kumbhare, East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde, Chandrapur MLA Nana Shyamkule, former MLA and senior Republican leader Upendra Shende, another senior Republican leader Haridas Tembhurne, Deputy Mayor Sandeep Jadhav, NMC Standing Committee Chairman Avinash Thakre, Ruling Party Leader in NMC Praveen Datke, NMC Commissioner Shyam Wardhane, BSP leader and Ward Corporator Murlidhar Meshram, Shiv Sena Party leader Sheetal Dharat, NCP leader and Corporator Prakash Gajbhiye, Muslim League Corporator Aslam Sheikh, Aasi Nagar Zone Chairman Goutam Patil, Corporators Pragati Patil, Manisha Ghodeswar, Savita Sangole, Avinash Shambharkar, Sandeep Joshi, Dr Ravindra Bhoyar, Ramesh Shingare, former Corporators Manoj Sangole, Prabhakar Yewale, Raju Bahadure, Ambedkar Bank’s Chairman Janrao Gajbhiye, RPI leader Golghate, Arun Gajbhiye, NMC’s Superintendent Engineer Prakash Urade, Development Engineer Rahul Varke, Assistant Engineer Ashok Patil and others.

Nitin Gadkari in his speech said, the society learns from history of the past. “We should not forget the history even though our thinking and culture ponder over future. The nation is inspired by the history of great personalities. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shivaji Maharaj, Swatantryavir Savarkar, and others were not leaders of a specific community. Dr Ambedkar was visionary personality therefore we should not see politics in everything. There is need to change the thinking of society in this regard. The Namantar Shahid Smarak would prove a pride of the nation and, the most important and happy aspect of this occasion is Jogendra Kawade was present during “Bhumipujan” (Ground breaking ceremony) of this memorial and, also, during its inauguration today,” Gadkari elaborated in his speech.

The Mayor Anil Sole said the “Namantar Movement” was a fight for pride of the nation and, would continue to inspire the present and future generations as well. However, the bloody incidents which took place during the 16-year movement and many Bhim Sainiks laid down their lives for the glorious cause should not happen again, the Mayor urged. Devendra Fadnavis, too, termed the inauguration of Shahid Smarak marked the end of successful fight for which Jogendra Kawade and other thousands of Bhim Sainiks strived hard, and, some of them laid their lives.

On the occasion, the sculptor of memorial Uday Gajbhiye, contractor Sunil Sharma, the creator of representative sculptures of 27 Bhim Sainiks who laid down their lives Ingle were felicitated.

Deputy Mayor Sandeep Jadhav proposed a vote of thanks while NMC Public Relations Officer compered the function in a brilliant way.