Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde on Tuesday paid tributes to BR Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi, Mumbai, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, calling it a "festival of self-respect for the entire nation" and praising Ambedkar's role in shaping India's constitutional and social framework, news agency ANI reported.

Opening his address, Shinde said, "The soil turned to gold because of you, Bhim."