528 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
14th October 1956 :
On 14th October, people got up early in the morning and started towards Deeksha Bhoomi, in the processions, shouting slogans. 2 to 2.5 lakh people thronged and the half of the pandal was full by 7 a. m. The arrangement of this Ceremony was entrusted to ‘Samata Sainik Dal’ of Nagpur and Mumbai. There were only 10 to 11 police posted for this Ceremony. A special arrangement was made for the media. There were about 30 press reporters from India and abroad. The people intended to get converted were so enormous in numbers that all the entry cards got exhausted and eventually the organisers were forced to declare the ceremony open to all.
The Conversion Ceremony :
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar arrived at the place alongwith Mahasthavir Bhikkhu Chandramani at 9.30 a.m. By that time about 5-6 lakh people were assembled at the place. The other Bhikkhus present in the ceremony were.—
(1) Thero Pannatis, Sanchi Vihar, Bhopal,
(2) Ven. Bhikkhu H. Siddhatissa, Ey Ceylon,
(3) Ven. M. Soughratna, Sarnath, Banaras,
(4) Bhikkhu G. Pradnyanand, Buddha Vihar, Lucknow,
(5) Ner Shramner, Dhammodaya Vihar, West Bengal and
(6) Rev. Paramsandhi.
The ceremony began with the welcome song by Miss Indutai Warale. On this occasion, the rich tributes were paid to Ramji Maloji Subhedar, the father of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Then Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Maisaheb stood with folded hands in front of the idol of Lord Buddha. Mahasthavir Chandramani recited Trisharan and Panchsheela to them in Pali as follows :
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa