New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS): A commemorative stamp on B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of India's Constitution, was released on Wednesday by union ministers Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The stamp was released as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Ambedkar, and is aimed at making the world aware of his work as a champion of the underprivileged, an official statement said.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Gehlot said the government has taken up a number of programmes to mark Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

He said students will be sent to Columbia University and London School of Economics for study tours and a Dr. Ambedkar Memorial at Alipur Road in Delhi will be developed in a befitting manner.

He said Ambadve village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, from where parents of Ambedkar hailed, will be developed as a model village under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Communication and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Ambedkar was the chief architect the Constitution and a champion of fundamental rights.

He said the Department of Posts was happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the leader.