Ambedkar is a great icon of Modern India: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Hailing Dr B R Ambedkar as a "great icon of Modern India", Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said he accomplished for the nation, in a life time, progressive changes that take centuries to achieve.

Greeting people on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, she said Dr Ambedkar's greatness cannot be categorised to any one particular accomplishment, because his contributions pan across every sphere of national development.

"His faith in democracy, which he shared with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and all the stalwarts of the freedom movement, is also one of his proud legacies to our country," she said.

An undisputed champion of Social Justice and Equality, Dr Ambedkar was able to articulate powerful ideas, she said adding, "The Indian Constitution of which he was the principal author remains the best instrument for pursuing the national goals that we set for ourselves."