127th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar was celebrated in MRPL on 14th April 2018. On the occasion, Shri M Venkatesh, Director Refinery, Shri Rajeev Kushwah, CVO, Senior Management Personnel and MSSEWA office bearers paid floral tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Administration building in the morning.

A stage programme was organised in the evening in MRPL Employees Club. The programme began with lighting of lamp followed by floral tributes to Dr Ambedkar’s portrait by the dignitaries. Ms Latha Kumari from Laboratory sung the invocation. Shri B Ramesh Kumar, CGM – Security & Logistics delivered the welcome address and introduced the Chief Guest Shri Purushothama Dass, Retired Canara Bank Manager and State convener of All India confederations of SC/ST organisations, Karnataka unit.

Shri B Purushothama Dass spoke on the occasion and recalled the difficult life situations faced by Dr BR Ambedkar during his time. He narrated how he got chance to pursue his post-graduation in Columbia and how he excelled at the university. He said that 14th April has also been recognised by UNO recently as World Knowledge Day. He stressed a point that if one loves his country then he needs to take care of all his colleagues and neighbours. The patriotism towards the nation is worthwhile when you show your concern to your fellow citizens, he remarked. He appreciated MRPL for conducting the programme in a befitting manner and thanked for inviting him.

Shri M Venkatesh, Director Refinery narrated his own life story and encouraged to keep our doors open to the underprivileged. He shared his thoughts on how difficult it was for women and poor to get educated a few years ago. He thanked the Chief Guest for enlightening the pains of the underprivileged in simple words. He appealed everyone to take example from Dr Ambedkar’s life and endure to complete any difficult task.

Shri BHV Prasad, GGM-HR proposed the vote of thanks and thanked all responsible for successfully executing the event with a special mention of the mesmerising speech by the Chief Guest.

Shri Rudolph VJ Noronha, DGM – OM&S compered the event.

The Musical Evening followed the stage programme. ‘Sizzling Guys’, a dance troupe performed a skit on Dr Ambedkar, fun games and a series of dances. A Portrait of Dr Ambedkar was painted on the spot by the time the skit was over by Ms Shabari Ganiga, a speed painter of the coastal district. It was the enthusiastic audience present at the occasion for the entire programme that ensured the programme a complete success.