After a foundation stone was in March 2016, Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial in New Delhi on Friday.
The work was completed swiftly. Sadly, however, his home state reeling under negligence after he inaugurated the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Library in Ranip in 2007. Modi, the then CM of Gujarat inaugurated the museum.
Even after 11 years of opening, there is nothing but a library that the monumental project could offer.
A day before the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, the building was being cleaned on Friday.
Despite lights being installed at several places, all that the building dons is gloom at its heart.
“It’s sad that despite being a museum, it is not. The government and the leaders are not sensitive to the developing it,” said Chandu Maheria, Dalit poet and leader.
“There could be a collection of books, photographs and infographics. The government should not take much of the time for this,” added Maheria. Dalit MLA of Congress Shailesh Paramar alleged the ruling BJP government as ‘vote seekers’.
“The ruling party focuses only on votes. They made announcements to woo voters, but there is not real work happening. It’s sad that BJP MP Kirit Solanki’s resident is just opposite to the museum, and yet the work has been ignored,” said Parmar.
“We will initiate the work of the museum. We’re in the process to invite tender for the set up of the museum,” KD Kapadia, director of schedule caste welfare.
Currently, students, who are preparing for competitive exams, mostly visit the library.
“Around 70 to 80 students come to the library daily. The higher authority has promised to set up the museum soon,” said Hardik Patel, in-charge of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Library, said.
IN A BAD STATE
- The building also has an open-air theatre, used for the social events held by Dalits. It was constructed at Rs 9.66 crore.
- Even after 11 years of opening, there is nothing but a library that the monumental project could offer. Currently, students, who are preparing for competitive exams, mostly visit the library.
