RSS has been celebrating Dr.B.R.Ambedkar’s Birthday as Social Harmony day for several years. In Tamilnadu, Dr.Hedgewar Smarak Samithi (an affiliate of RSS) has been honouring people belonging to SC/STs who have done exemplary service in uplifting their society.
This year, Dr.Hedgewar Smarak Samithi organized an event on 15th April at Agarwal Vidyalaya, Vepery, Chennai to celebrate Dr.Ambedkar Jayanthi and honour three persons who did commendable work.
Shri I. V. Manivannan, IAS (Retd), who presided over the function highlighted the yeoman service rendered by Dr.Ambedkar. He recalled his days when he was the Dy.Collector he allotted land to Narikuravar community (gypsies), the first such instance in Tamilnadu and how those people still remember him.
Shri M.N. Saikrishnan, who was the guest of honour and who was running Nidarshan Trust (extending educational help to children belonging to the community of cobblers) was emotional in his speech said that he was very much honoured for having given an opportunity like this. He further added that whenever he faced challenges and disappointment during his course of service to the people, it was RSS volunteers who offered him support and encouragement.
Shri Dhanasekar, President of SC / ST Federation, Viluppuram, Shri Kaarai Rama Subramaniyan, Founder of Tamilnadu Narikuravar Federation and Smt. M. Seeniyammal, (Ex-MLA) were honoured by way of presenting them with a citation, memento and Rs.10000 as cash.
Accepting the honour Shri Dhanasekar said “Till few years ago, I was of the opinion that RSS is a radical outfit. But after seeing their self-less service and the way they treat everyone equally, I realized the truth that it is a patriotic organization, working to serve the people and society. Hence I have been working closely with RSS ever since to uplift our people.”
Shri Kaarai Rama Subramaniyan highlighted the works carried out by him and his team in building houses for many Narikuravas on his 2.5 acre land.
Smt. M. Seeniyammal said that the village in which she lives is a model village for community living and she derives immense pleasure in carrying out various service/religious activities.
Dr K. Kumaraswamy, State President of RSS on his key note address explained as to how RSS Founder Dr. Hedgewar and Dr. Ambedkar thought alike to develop our country, what changes they brought in the society, how they worked to uplift downtrodden people etc.
Two books – one on Dr. Ambedkar and a special issue of Kandeebam magazine of Desiya Chinthanai Kazhagam i.e., Penmaiyai Potruvom were released during the event.
Shri R.Vanniarajan, President of Kerala and Tamilnadu RSS, Shri G.Sthanumalayan, Organiser of Kerala and Tamilnadu, Shri L.Ganesan, M.P., were some of the important persons present in the function.
