President Pranab Mukherjee today led the nation in paying homage to architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B R Ambedkar, on his 59th death anniversary. Mr Mukherjee offered floral tributes at the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Sansad Bhavan Lawns in the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy also offered tributes to the Dr Ambedkar. The function began with a prayer by Buddhist monks. The programme was organised by the Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Many functions are being organised across the country to mark the day.

Rich tributes were today paid to the architect of Constitution, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 58th death anniversary, observed as 'Mahaparinirvan Din' by thousands of followers from all over the state who converged at his memorial 'Chaityabhoomi' near Shivaji Park in Dadar.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Education Minister Vinod Tawde were among the leaders who paid homage to Ambedkar at 'Chaityabhoomi'. At Mantralaya, the State Secretariat, floral tributes were offered to the late leader. At Vidhan Bhawan, the Legislature staff paid tributes to Dr. Ambedkar.

The city's public transport wing, BEST Undertaking is running special buses between Dadar and Shivaji Park. Food stalls are also being put up to provide free snacks. The BMC has set up temporary sheds, mobile toilets and six medical stalls at Shivaji Park, Dadar Station, Kurla Terminus and at Ambedkar's residence, Rajgriha.

Arrangements are also made to provide drinking water at Shivaji Park.