The Maharashtra government has declared Friday, December 6, a local holiday to mark Mahaparinirvan Diwas, the death anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. According to an official circular, the holiday will apply to all government and semi-government offices in Mumbai and suburban districts.

This holiday is the third local holiday announced by the Maharashtra government this year, following Dahi Handi and Ganesh Visarjan. Dr. Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956, and every year, thousands gather to pay tribute to him at Chaitanyabhoomi, Shivaji Park, in Mumbai, where he was cremated.

Special trains for devotees

Central Railway has arranged 14 special trains from Aurangabad, Adilabad, Nagpur, and Solapur to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on December 6. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, stated, “Apart from these trains, 12 additional suburban trains will also be run by the Central Railways, out of which 6 trains will be run on the main line and 6 on the Harbour Line.”

For passenger safety, nearly 300 additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff have been deployed. These measures aim to accommodate the large number of people expected to travel to Mumbai for the occasion.

Remembering Dr. Ambedkar

Dr. Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, was a renowned social reformer, economist, and politician. He is celebrated for his fight against social discrimination and for championing the rights of Dalits, women, and workers. He was instrumental in drafting the Indian Constitution as a member of the drafting committee.

In 1927, he led the Mahad Satyagraha to fight for Dalits' right to access public water. In 1990, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, even though he had passed away many years earlier. People often salute him with the phrase "Jai Bhim," which means "Hail Bhim," to show respect and admiration. He is also lovingly called "Babasaheb," a title that means "respected father," as a mark of high regard for his contributions.