Lakhs of followers gather at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur on 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din
Buddhist followers from across India and abroad have converged on Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi, where bookshops are drawing large crowds and the administration has made arrangements with a special fund.
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A large crowd of Buddhist followers from across the country and abroad has gathered at Nagpur's historic Deekshabhoomi on the 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din. Blue and Panchsheel flags, pictures of Babasaheb and the echo of his ideas have filled the whole area. The planning and arrangements made at Deekshabhoomi this time are also drawing attention. Meanwhile, bookshops have seen a surge of followers coming to buy books.
The background to the day is that, owing to the oppression of the Hindu religion and the lack of a place for Dalits in the social and political climate of that time, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, after much deliberation, embraced Buddhism and left Hinduism on the day of Dussehra at Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi along with lakhs of his followers. Since then, the Ambedkarite community has gathered at Deekshabhoomi every year on Dussehra to mark the day.
A large number of Buddhist followers have reached Nagpur for Dhammachakra Pravartan Din from different states of the country as well as from abroad. Bhantes, thinkers, researchers, scholars and media representatives from more than 40 countries have arrived at Deekshabhoomi. Large crowds of followers can be seen on the roads leading to Deekshabhoomi from the railway station and the bus station.
The bookshops in the Deekshabhoomi area are particularly crowded this year. Ideological literature published over the year is getting a good response from followers. Readers are crowding in especially to buy copies of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's 'The Buddha and His Dhamma' and of the Constitution of India. These book purchases show that the occasion is not confined to a religious event, and that a message of knowledge, education and ideological change is also emerging from it.
Among this year's features are the administration's planning and management, carried out with a special fund of Rs 8.92 crore. For the comfort of followers, 7 domes have been put up on the premises and a total of 24 domes at other locations. To keep small children from getting lost, a belt carrying a mobile number is being tied on their wrists as a safeguard.
RO water has been arranged for clean drinking water. The arrangements have been made in coordination with the police, the municipal corporation, health services and social organisations. Preparations have been made at every intersection for proper traffic management. Free meals and light refreshments are available at many places, and a health camp staffed by specialist doctors has also been set up for followers.
