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NAGPUR, INDIA, October 23, 2004: As many as 65,000 people have embraced Buddhism at Deeksha Bhoomi here on Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din yesterday. The day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of Buddhism by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar along with hundreds of thousands of people in 1956. The special function was supervised by Japan-born Indian monk Bhante Nagarjun Surai Sasai, who gave certificates to all those who adopted Buddhism. Hundreds of thousands of followers of Dr. Ambedkar from different states in the country and abroad gather at the Deeksha Bhoomi every year to celebrate the Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din. Addressing a public meeting later, Union Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy Resources Vilas Muttamwar said Dr. Ambedkar, through the Indian Constitution (which he authored), has kept the country united despite the religious diversity. The followers of Dr. Ambedkar would not allow any government to change the original framework of the Constitution, he said. Mr. Muttamwar said the Deeksha Bhoomi where Dr. Ambedkar embraced the Buddhism 48 years ago has given an inspiration to the Dalits and the depressed classes. The minister said the centre and the state government would make available financial assistance for the beautification of the Deeksha Bhoomi and construction of other monuments.

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