Latest news with #BRAmbedkar
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Collector receives ODOP award for Bobbili Veena
Vizianagaram: Vizianagaram district made a mark on the national stage as the iconic Bobbili Veena was awarded the First Prize under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. District Collector Dr BR Ambedkar received the prestigious award at a ceremony held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on Monday. Under the ODOP initiative, sevenproducts from various districts across Andhra Pradesh were selected, with Bobbili Veena emerging as the top winner in the district-level category. The handcrafted musical instrument, known for its cultural and artistic heritage, brought significant recognition to Vizianagaram. Alongside Bobbili Veena, Bapatla cotton sarees and Venkatagiri sarees also jointly received the first prize in the same category. Awards were presented across four different categories at the event. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal presented the ODOP award to Collector Dr Ambedkar during the grand ceremony. The event was also attended by Delhi Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Minister of Industries Jitin Prasada, Andhra Pradesh BC Welfare and Handlooms & Textiles Minister S. Savita have attended the programme.
Hans India
2 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Bobbili Veena selected under ODOP scheme
Vizianagaram: There nowned Bobbili Veena, which already gained name and fame across India and abroad, has got yet another rare recognition. Under the prestigious One District – One Product (ODOP) scheme, the Bobbili Veena has been officially selected as the unique product representing Vizianagaram district. Among the seven products chosen from different districts of Andhra Pradesh, Bobbili Veena's selection stands as a proud moment for the region. District collector Dr B R Ambedkar travelled to New Delhi to receive the award on behalf of the district. The ODOP award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 14, at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The Bobbili Veena, traditionally known as the Saraswati Veena, is famed for its distinctive tonal quality and craftsmanship. Often gifted as a souvenir, a miniature version of the veena has been a customary presentation in various events. It has been showcased and gifted not only in India but also in international forums. Notably, Bobbili Veena-themed postage stamps and coins have also been released, further highlighting its cultural significance. These veenas are also being exported to other states and countries. They have been displayed at major events like the G-20 summit held in Delhi and the Global Summit in Visakhapatnam. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was reportedly impressed upon viewing a Bobbili Veena. The instrument has already received Geographical Indication (GI) status from the Government of India. Gollapalli village, near Bobbili town, is renowned for the craftsmanship of veena-making. Recognized as a rare handicraft, this art has sustained over 300 families in the village for more than a century. Although veena production also takes place in Vadada, Badangi Mandal, the instruments are still identified as Bobbili Veenas. These veenas are primarily made using jackfruit and sampangi wood. In light of the increasing demand and scarcity of suitable wood, the Andhra Pradesh government has recently taken the initiative to promote large-scale cultivation of jackfruit trees in the Uttarandhra region. With its inclusion under the ODOP scheme, the prominence and popularity of the Bobbili Veena are expected to grow even further, bringing more recognition to the artisans and their exceptional craft.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Violence of any kind in society should not be overlooked: Ambedkar University Delhi V-C amid unrest on campus
Amid growing campus unrest and allegations of a crackdown on dissent, Vice-Chancellor of Dr B R Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), Anu Singh Lather, has defended the administration's actions and her own controversial Republic Day speech, insisting that the university remains a democratic space that respects academic freedom. 'Violence of any kind in any society should not be overlooked,' Lather told The Indian Express, as she addressed the months-long tension triggered by a student's suspension, faculty disciplinary proceedings, and demonstrations over her speech that praised the Ram Mandir and urged that B R Ambedkar be seen as a national figure. In her Republic Day speech, Lather had referred to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement as a 525-year-old issue, applauded the construction of the Ram Temple and called for Dr B R Ambedkar to be a recognised as a national figure instead of being seen only as a Dalit. It had drawn sharp criticism from student activists and some faculty members, who said it politicised an academic platform and undermined AUD's ethos. The unrest began in March after a final-year MA student was suspended for six months for allegedly criticising Lather's speech in an email sent through AUD's official internal system. The Proctorial Board, citing 'indiscipline' and the use of 'derogatory and disrespectful language against the Head of the Institution', had suspended and barred the student from the campus. 'We found out about the student's comments through an email that she had written,' Lather said. 'My only appeal to my students is to not distort anything I say. My comments on the Ram Janmabhoomi in my speech can be found in the video online. They should not be viewed with an agenda. AUD is a democratic space and all ideologies have a space on this campus. We do not punish students for sharing their views on campus as long it does not cross a line,' she added. Lather further said, 'Even in the case of the MA student, there is a certain policy and certain bodies take cognizance of actions by students on campus. The Proctorial Board had decided to take action against the student. I had intervened and later on written to the board to take a lenient view on the student's case.' In April, protests had intensified after associate professor Kaustav Banerjee was issued a show-cause notice for allegedly 'inciting disorder' during a student-led demonstration. The notice accused him of delivering a 'provocative speech' that disrupted order and prompted police intervention. 'Two issues had come up. First was the suspension of the MA student and the second was the protests that took place on campus in relation to an alleged suicide attempt at Karampura campus. They both happened one after the other. Violence of any kind in any society should not be overlooked,' Lather said. The administration has since suspended several students after a protest in April allegedly turned confrontational. Registrar Navlendra Kumar Singh had earlier told The Indian Express that demonstrators surrounded his vehicle, causing damage, and refused to disperse until they were allowed to meet the V-C. 'We have filed a police complaint. The FIR is yet to be registered. The students want to meet the V-C, but the V-C is not ready, as their approach is aggressive. We are ready to address the issues, but there needs to be a proper way to have a conversation,' Singh said. Lather defended the call to file a police complaint, saying that the move was to ensure safety on campus. She added that disciplinary actions were the result of institutional processes, not ad hoc calls. 'The university decides on actions; it is never a reaction. The Proctorial Board has patiently handled the students' issues on this campus,' she said. While Lather maintained that AUD upholds ideological plurality and due process, student groups alleged that the actions taken against them reflect an erosion of academic and democratic values. The suspended student, who is affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA), had earlier told The Indian Express, 'The action taken by the administration is representative of a larger and sustained attack on the academic and democratic spirit of AUD.'
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNUEF passes resolution for honour killing law
KRISHNAGIRI: The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) passed 11 resolutions at its fifth district meeting on Saturday, including calls to enact laws against honour killing, install a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Hosur, and appoint field workers to district-level vigilance and monitoring committees. TNUEF State Deputy General Secretary P Selvan told TNIE, "The members of the district-level vigilance and monitoring committee should be chosen appropriately. In most cases, the members are unaware of the ground situation and the needs of the people. Therefore, at least one member of the committee should be selected from TNUEF cadres who work on the ground, and the district administration should consider this. Ahead of TNUEF's fifth state-level conference in Mayiladuthurai on August 31 and September 1, awareness programs against untouchability and caste-based honour killings will be conducted in various districts using arts and drama prior to the state conference." He added, "Untouchability still prevails in various districts, so the district administration and state government should work hard and effectively implement government schemes for SC/STs. Additionally, some caste people are still not allowed into temples in Tamil Nadu, and this practice should be abolished." During the meeting, resolutions were also passed to provide patta (land deeds) for Adi Dravidars and Tribals. A resolution was also passed to allocate land for Adi Dravidars in Kottayur, Chennathur, and Sanamavu, where land has been identified but not yet allotted to each family, even after a survey. Similarly, TNUEF State Vice-President G Anandan said, "The Krishnagiri district administration should recognise and register pig-rearing in the district without any issues. Furthermore, the district administration should support Arunthathiyar families at Vennampatti village near Uthangarai taluk by reclaiming a temple from caste Hindus and allowing them to worship. Also, a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar should be installed within the limits of the Hosur City Municipal Corporation." At the end of the meeting, new office bearers were also selected.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Constitution reflects vision of Ambedkar, says CJI Gavai
Hyderabad: Chief Justice of India, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, said Dr. BR Ambedkar's contribution to shaping the Indian Constitution as a testament to his foresight in acting as an instrument of social and economic transformation in the country. The CJI delivered a lecture on Dr. BR Ambekdari's contribution to the Indian Constitution organised by Osmania University on Saturday. He noted how Dr BR Ambedkar had to come up within a short period the Objective Resolution in 1946 and steered it till its adoption in 1949. The CJI said the Constitution stands as an epitome of Dr Ambedkar's leadership and intellectual rigor in shaping the foundational document of modern India. He stressed that rights without remedies are meaningless, highlighting Article 32, which empowers citizens to approach the Supreme Court in case of violation of fundamental rights. Calling it the 'heart and soul of the Constitution,' he stressed that judicial remedies are crucial to upholding democratic freedoms. Further, while India's Constitution was influenced by global models, it was tailored uniquely to India's needs, creating a single, unified legal framework unlike the dual systems seen in countries like the U.S. 'Ours is a strong federal structure with one Constitution applicable to all states and citizens,' he said. Touching upon the Directive Principles of State Policy, however, he noted the criticism that they are non-enforceable in courts but defended them as the moral compass of governance. 'They are not just empty words; they serve as a roadmap for legislators and executives to realize the promise of justice and equality,' he added. The CJI also traced the historical tension between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, referencing the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973, where the Supreme Court clarified that both must work in harmony as twin pillars of constitutional governance. The Acting Chief Justice of Telangana High Court, Justice Sujoy Paul, recalled Dr Ambedkar's intellectual vision citing his words- 'However good a Constitution may be, it can fail if those who implement it are not good. Likewise, even a bad Constitution can work well with good people.' He also reminded me how Sir Ivor Jennings mocked the voluminous length of the Indian constitution. However, Sri Lanka's constitution drafted barely could stand for 14 years. On the other, the Indian Constitution has shown its resilience standing for 75 years, he added. Earlier, Supreme Court Judge, Justice Padmidighantam Narasimha, Advocate General of Telangana, A Sudarshan Reddy, paid floral tributes to Dr Ambedkar. Judges from the States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra were among those who attended the event. On this occasion, the CJI released a commemorative special cover and postcard and Dr. P. Vidya Sagar Reddy, Chief Postmaster General, Telangana, marking the event's historical significance for public memory.
