<span style="color: #222222;">In Maharashtra, a number of events have been organised to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar. This includes public rallies, processions, exhibitions and many awareness programmes. </span><br />''<br />''Birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar began since midnight at various places in Maharashtra. Maharashtra's  Food and Civil Supply Minister Chhagan Bhujbal paid floral tributes to Dr. Ambedkar's statue at Shalimar Chowk in Nashik. He extended his greetings to the citizens of the state and appealed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar with enthusiasm. <br />''<br />''Leaders and office bearers of various parties were present on the occasion and the place was fully crowded at midnight. 131 lanterns were lighted and flown in the sky at the stroke of 12 am at the famous dragon palace of Kamptee in Nagpur. Former Minister and founder of Dragon palace Sulekha Kumbhare and Buddhist followers were present on the occasion. <br />''<br />''Birth anniversary was celebrated by cutting a cake and everyone shouted slogans to hail Dr. Ambedkar. Tributes will be paid by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with other ministers and officials at Chaitya Bhoomi in Dadar this morning. An exhibition to showcase the life and works of Dr. Ambedkar has been arranged at the state secretariat in Mumbai. <br />''<br />''Following this event, the Chief Minister along with his other cabinet colleagues will attend an event by the state's social justice department at Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium. It will involve cheque distribution to the beneficiaries of Margin Money loan scheme and felicitation of UPSC toppers and students who have secured foreign scholarships.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Besides, state education minister Varsha Gaikwad has asked schools to organise elocution, essay writing, drawing and poster making, poetry recital, rangoli making, story-telling, video-making and drama competitions to promote Dr. Ambedkar's thoughts. She has directed schools to upload photos and videos of such competitions on their social media accounts using the HASHTAG muknayak.</span><br />