AGARTALA, Oct 8 (TIWN): Altogether 1111 students were provided with sadar sub-divisional level Dr. B. R Ambedkar Memorial Merit Award at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan on Thursday.

Welfare of Scheduled Caste Minister Ratan Bhowmik on Thursday inaugurated the programme in the presence of Deputy Speaker of Tripura Vidhan Sabha Pabitra Kar, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dr. Prafullajit Sinha and many others.

A total of 560 students of class- VI and VII had received Rs. 400 each. Besides, 348 students of class- VIII have also received Rs. 400 each.

However, the students of class- IX have received Rs. 700 each. Altogether 203 students have received the merit award.

Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards is given by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, which is an autonomous organization under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

The award is distributed to the meritorious students every year to recognize and encourage the students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born in the year 1891, April 14. He is popularly known as Babasaheb.

Dr. B. R Ambedar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Modern Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination against Untouchables (Dalits).

He has supported the rights of women and labour and was an independent law minister and the principal architect of the Constitution of India.