(a) the details of various activities organised by the autonomous organisation, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry;
(b) the date on which and by whom the Foundation has been set up;
(c) whether the Foundation also seeks to inspire the principles of Baba Saheb Ambedkar; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) to (d): A statement is annexed.
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO REPLY TO LOK SABHA QUESTION NO. 1940 TO BE REPLIED ON 14.03.2017
Dr. Ambedkar Foundation was established by the Government of India on March 24, 1992 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The main objective of the Foundation is to carry out the programmes and activities for furthering of Dr. Ambedkar’s ideology and spread his message of social justice to the masses, not only in the country but also abroad. Details of these activities are given below.
I. Every year, the Foundation celebrates the Birth Anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar on 14th April, and observes Mahaparinirvan Day on 6th December in a befitting manner in the Parliament House lawns.
II. With an intention to provide well-equipped centres of learning to intellectuals, academicians and students to undertake studies and research with an intention to understand, assess and disseminate ideas and thoughts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and also to undertake research and higher studies concerning the socio-economic and cultural life of the marginalized groups and other weaker sections of the society, ten Dr. Ambedkar Chairs were initially instituted on subject like Economics, Political Science, Religion, Philosophy, Constitutional Studies, Education, Social Work, Human Rights as well as other disciplines considered relevant for attainment of our National Goal of Social Justice in various Universities / Institutions. As a part of the year long celebrations and the identified activities of the 125th Birth Anniversary year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar eleven new Dr. Ambedkar Chairs in the various Universities/Institutions in India have been approved on 17.03.2016.
III. As a part of celebrations of 125th Birth Anniversary year of BabaSaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, commemorative coins on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar of Rs. 125 and Rs. 10 denomination were released on 6th December, 2015 by the Hon''ble Prime Minister. A Commemorative Postal Stamp of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was also released on 30.9.2015
IV. Under the Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme financial aid is provided to poor SC and ST patients with annual family income of less than Rs. 2.5 lakh, suffering from serious ailments requiring, surgery of Kidney, Heart, Liver, Cancer and Brain or any other life threatening diseases including organ transplant and spinal surgery.
V. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is implementing the Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Award Scheme for Secondary (Class 10th) Examination and Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Award Scheme for Senior Secondary Examination (Class-12th), to recognize merit, financially assist, encourage and motivate students belonging to Scheduled Castes
VI. Under the Dr. Ambedkar National Relief Scheme for SC victims of atrocities the Foundation provides instant monetary relief to the victims of heinous offences of atrocities under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The relief amount up to Rs. 5.00 lakh is paid to each victim, with the approval of the Chairperson of the Foundation. This amount is in addition to the minimum amount of relief as prescribed under Rule 12 (4) of the Prevention of Atrocities Act and Rules.
VII. The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation National Essay Competition is held for Students of recognized Schools (secondary & senior secondary schools i.e. from class 9th to class 12th) and colleges / Universities / Institutes. Prizes to the over-all best three entries in Hindi & English are given as part of this scheme. The aim of this annual Essay Competition is to encourage writing on social issues, among the Students of Schools / Colleges / Universities / Institutes and arouse their interest in Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts on fundamental social issues like social justice, removal of untouchability, caste based prejudices, removal of inequality and discrimination, social democracy, national integration, communal harmony etc.
VIII. Under the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for celebration of Birth/Death Anniversary of Great Saints- the Foundation provides grant-in-aid to the tirelessly worked for promoting social justice, removal of inequality & discrimination and for amelioration of the conditions of weaker sections of the society. The Scheme covers the birth anniversary of Great Saints like Sant Kabir, Guru Ravidas, Guru Ghasidas, Chokhamela, Nandnar, Narayan Guru, Namdev, Mahatma Phule & Savitri Bai Phule etc. as approved by the Foundation from time to time.
IX. The translation and publication of Collected Works of Babasaheb Ambedkar (CWBA) Project is one of the projects being implemented by the Foundation. These works are translated into Hindi and 8 regional languages viz. Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, Urdu & Gujarati. The Audio Book (CD) Edition of CWBA Volumes (English) has been brought out through National Institute for Visually Handicapped, Dehradun. Braille Edition of the CWBA volumes (Vol. No. 1-17 in English) have been brought out with the help of NIVH, Dehradun.
X. On the 125 birth anniversary of Baba Saheb, Govt. of India arranged for a study tour to Columbia University, New York and London School of Economics, London for about 100 deserving research scholars from all over India who are either working on or are interested in making an intervention into the issues of social justice in India and Ambedkar’s social, political and Economic thought.
XI. On behalf of the Dr Ambedkar Foundation, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University, Lucknow organized an on-line quiz competition on 16.01.2016 on the Indian Constitution, the Constituent Assembly and the life and work of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar all over India.
XII. Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Dr. Ambedkar International Centre on 20th April 2015 and the foundation stone of Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial, 26, Alipur Road, Delhi.