NTR Marg reverberates with 'Jai Bhim' slogans

HYDERABAD: On any visit to the interiors, one cannot miss statues of Dr B.R. Ambedkar on the outskirts of the villages where Dalits reside predominantly. But Hyderabad has beaten them all with the tallest statue (all of 125 feet) of the architect of Indian Constitution lording over the vicinity in the heart of the twin cities.

It is the ultimate tribute to Dr Ambedkar, was the opinion of thousands of people who came from several states for the unveiling of the imposing statue by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, even as PVNR Marg and NTR Marg reverberated with 'Jai Bhim' slogans.

Enthusiastic youngsters, clad in blue, enjoyed the event and danced to musical numbers.

Among the visitors was 35-year-old Shyamala, holding her three-year-old daughter, and her husband Shanker, who came from Adilabad. She said her husband had secured a government job on reservation, which was possible only because of Dr Ambedkar’s vision. "His birth anniversary — April 14 — is a festival for us,” said Shanker.

Many came from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra as a mark of respect for Dr Ambedkar. The one who caught the eye was Satonsh from Bihar, who had a haircut with 'Jai Bhim' inscribed on his head.

"No one influenced us to come to Hyderabad. We received information from the media that the tallest Ambedkar statue is being unveiled here. It was our way of showing respect to the man who ensured social justice. We are grateful to the Telangana state government," Santosh said.

V. Venkatesh, a farmer from Marriguda in Munugode constituency, said that unlike in villages where Ambedkar statues are erected on the outskirts, Hyderabad has “done all of us proud by installing his tallest statue in the heart of the city."