The nation pays homage to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 121st birth anniversary today. A number of functions are being organised throughout the country to mark the occasion.

The main function will be held at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi where floral tributes will be paid at Dr Ambedkar's statue by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik and other dignitaries.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the messiah of dalits and downtrodden was the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947 to draft a constitution for independent India. Dr. Ambedkar played a seminal role in the framing of the constitution.

He was also the first Law Minister of India. Dr. Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990 for his yeoman service to the nation.

On 24 May 1956 on the occasion of Bhuddha Jayanati, Ambedkar declared in Bombay, that he would adopt Buddhism, on 14 October, Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers. On 6th December 1956 Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar died peacefully in his sleep in Delhi.