Chennai,Apr 14 : Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi and Chief Minister M K Stalin led the State in paying rich tributes to Bharat Ratna and the architect of Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar on the occasion of his 131st birth anniversary today. The day was being observed as Equality day from this year as announced by the Chief Minister in the State Assembly yesterday. At Raj Bhavan, the Governor paid floral tributes to a portrait of Dr. Ambedkar and hailec him as the chief architect of the Constitution of India, a great visionary with unparallel understanding of the country and a pioneer of social justice. “His bold outstanding contributions to the country especially for the betterment of the marginalised and deprived sections of the comm ty will go down the history as seminal to establishing a socially harmonious society”, the Governor said, a Raj Bhavan comm que said. Babasaheb rose above the barriers of caste and other social prejudices and championed the cause of human equality. His life and works will continue to inspire the countrymen and women especially the youth for all time to come, he said. At a time when the country is celebrating 75 years of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of freedom) and entering the next 25 years of Amrit kaal (25 years of Nation’s rejuvenation), the Governor urged the youth to imbibe the values set by Babasaheb and strive towards achieving his dream of making India the world leader. On this occasion the Governor, Principal Secretary to Governor, Senior officials and staff of Raj Bhavan also took “Equality Day” pledge. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister along with his Cabinet colleagues, garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar at his memorial in the city and paid floral tributes to a decorated portrait of the Babasaheb. He also administered Equality Day pledge. AIADMK Leaders O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami and leaders of various political parties also paid rich tributes to Dr Ambedkar across the State. GV 1458