Parliamentary committee on the welfare of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, Government of India has visited Siddharth College of ASC Mumbai on 28/08/2023 to oversee the library infrastructure and meeting with trustees of People’s Education Society. The Parliamentary Committee comprised of 20 members of Lok Sabha and 10 members of Rajya Sabha (from different political parties) from all over India, led by Committee Chairperson Prof. Dr. Kiritbhai Solanki, The Committee was accompanied by Joint Secretaries, Under Secretaries and Directors of various departments of Government of India and University Grants Commission. To organise this function, Siddharth College was guided by the University of Mumbai, Department of Higher Education and the Department of Social Justice, Government of Maharashtra.

Prof. Dr. Kiritbhai Solanki, Member of Parliament visited the College Library on 16th August 2023. He was highly impressed and sensitised by the books of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, his handwritten jottings, and books to prepare the Constitution of India. He was pleased to undertake the preservation and conservation of the legacy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and his appeal to all other committee members resulted in this visit.

The Parliamentary Committee members were received by Shri Anandraj Ambedkar, Chairman of People’s Education Society and Prof. Dr. Ashok Sunatkari Principal of Siddharth College of Arts Science and Commerce, Mumbai. All members paid tribute to the statue of Lord Gautam Buddha and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar by garlanding and offering flowers. This was followed by the Buddha Vandana. After that all members visited the college library where they observed and appreciated the progress in preservation, conservation and digitalization of 10,000 rare books selected for this purpose amongst 1,40,00,000 books in the library. A team of experts in preservation and conservation including Dr. Amol Divkar, Librarian Mrs. Chaitali Shinde, ex-librarian Shrikant Talwatkar briefed the committee with all details about this preservation and conservation. All parliamentary members were overjoyed to touch and see the original jottings of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

After a detailed visit to the library, all Members of Parliament had a meeting with trustees of the People’s Education Society, Principal and staff of the college in room number 34 where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had many memoirs of interacting with the students. The function started with a welcome note by Vice Principal Mr. Ramesh Zade with the message of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that “It is education which is the right weapon to cut the social slavery and it is education which enlightens the downtrodden masses to come up and gain social status, economic and political freedom.”

After this voice welcome, Mumbai University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni, Registrar Prof. Dr. Bhirud, Principal of the college and trustees of People’s Education Society felicitated all Members of Parliament and government officials of various departments. After a warm welcome, Prof. Dr. Ashok Sunatkari Principal of Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai made a presentation to sketch the history of the college and People’s Education Society and he also made an appeal for support as well as guidance. Shri. Anandraj Ambedkar, Chairman of the People’s Education Society thanked all the Members of Parliament to visit the holy workplace of his grandfather and architecture of the Indian Constitution Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He also appealed for cooperation from all dignitaries present for the meeting to share their contribution in the rebuilding and progress of the People’s Education Society.

Prof. Dr. Kiritbhai Solanki, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for SC/ST welfare paid tribute to the land of Babasaheb, salute to his historic and revolutionary work by his speeches and writing and not forget to confess his oblige for values of the constitution which made India an emerging power in the world panorama. He also showed his clear indication and preparedness to render all sorts of help and cooperation for the rebuilding of the Siddharth college of Arts, Science and Commerce as well People Education Society for the welfare of all common masses of India.

The entire function was anchored by Vice Principal Mr. Ramesh Zade and a vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Vishal Nangare. NSS programme coordinator Dr. Sunita Gaikwad, NSS volunteers, NCC cadets made a lot of effort to make this function successful under the guidance of Principal Prof. Dr. Sunatkari and Chairman of People’s Education Society, Shri. Anandraj Ambedkar, Trustee Adv. Sangharaj Rupawate and Secretary Capt. Sanjiv Bodhankar.