PM Modi pays tribute to Ambedkar, hails his contributions to nation's progress

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid rich tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 131st birth anniversary, stating that it is a day to "reiterate our commitment to fulfilling his dreams".

He hailed the key architect of India's Constitution for making indelible contributions to the country's progress.

"Tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti. He has made indelible contributions to India's progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfilling his dreams for our nation," PM Modi said in a tweet.

The prime minister also attached a video paying respects to BR Ambedkar which shows various aspects of Baba Saheb's life and struggle for democracy as well as the Central government's policies dedicated to him.

President Ram Nath Kovind also paid tributes to B R Ambedkar on the occasion and said that he being the architect of the Constitution laid the foundation of modern India.

"Humble tribute to Babasaheb on Ambedkar Jayanti! A strong advocate of social justice, Babasaheb laid the foundation of modern India as the architect of the Constitution. Let us do our part in building an inclusive society, following his ideals of 'Indian first, Indian later and Indian last'," roughly translated from President Kovind's tweet in Hindi.

Born in Maharashtra in a Dalit family in 1891, Dr BR Ambedkar was a jurist and economist who played an important role in India's freedom movement.

BR Ambedkar championed the cause of the Dalit community which faced deep-rooted discrimination. He was also India's first Law Minister.

April 14 is marked as Ambedkar Jayanti to honour Dr Ambedkar's countless contributions to the making of present-day India. Ambedkar Jayanti is also celebrated to remember the jurist's dedication to fighting social evils like caste discrimination and oppression.