"Heroes Come And Go But Legends Are Forever"
There are very few peoples who make an outstanding impact on the
lives of others. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was one of them. The majority of people
around India admire Babasaheb for n number of reasons. The reasons behind their
admiration may be different, for someone it may be their work
underprivileged, for someone it may be the struggle through which
Babasaheb went and emerge as a shining star. etc. The reason which makes me
fond of Babasaheb is their life and the struggle through which they went. So
many peoples will come and go in your life but very few can make an impact on
your life. Sometimes I feel fortunate to read and learn Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
because I had learned so many things from the life of Legend and one thing
which I learn after reading and learning Babasaheb is that
"Your Life should be great rather than long"
14th April is just not a date it is an emotion for the people who
love Babasaheb, as one popularly said that "History tells us that powerful
people come from powerful places but history was wrong "Powerful people
make places powerful".
Today as we mark the 131st birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, it is my small effort to put down some of the important life events, facts, contributions, and most importantly the things which I had learned from the life of Babasaheb. Hope it will be found useful for someone at any extent of life.
This was the first incident that
makes curious to learn about Babasaheb when I was in 9th standard and
there was one chapter in the book Marathi about Babasaheb. Which explains
their days in the United Kingdom, while in London, he went to a library every
day and studied for hours. Once they ate a piece of bread while sitting alone
in the library at lunchtime, the librarian saw them and scolded them, instead
of going to the cafeteria, they ate food hidden there.
This was happen daily, once the librarian threatened him and
terminate his membership. Babasaheb then apologized and told him about his
struggle and that of his company and why he came to England. He also honestly
admitted that he did not enough money to go to the cafeteria for lunch.
After hearing Babasaheb, the librarian said; from today you will
not be sitting at noon you will go to the cafeteria, with me and I will
share a meal with you. The librarian was Jewish and this behavior of his made
Babasahab a special place for Jews in his mind. This was my first encounter
with this eminent legend.
I feel blessed to get the
chance to read 2-3 books and watch several documentaries on Babasaheb in my
free time. These are the things that make me fond of this Gem.
Born on 14th April 1891,
Dr. Ambedkar showed a path for the underprivileged on how to lead venerable
life. Thursday 14th April 2022 marked the 131st birth anniversary of Dr.
Ambedkar, who is perhaps well known as the principal architect of the Indian
Constitution and staunch leader of Dalit rights. Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar, an eminent economist, famous historian, prominent jurist,
renowned scholar, strong anthropologist, a statesman, social scientist,
emancipator, great educationalist, true nationalist, prolific writer,
revolutionist a great visionary, and at the top a great constitutionalist.
To understand the character of Dr. Ambedkar and his achievements,
visions, and policies we have to rethink and reminisce. Dr. Ambedkar was a man
of thirst for education example for the activists and acquired MA, Ph.D., M.Sc,
D.Sc, Barrister-at-law, L.L.D, D.Litt, etc educational prerequisites.
Naming Ambedkar as “Mahapurus (a great man)” once Prime Minister –
Narendra Modi said “I have seen poverty I have lived with it and there is a lot
to be done for the uplift of the downtrodden of the society to whose betterment
Baba Saheb Ambedkar was committed. If Ambedkar had not been there, where this
Modi would be ?”
Talking about Ambedkar in his speech at the Indian parliament on 08, November 2010 U.S President Barack Obama said “We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every person can fulfill their God-given potential, just as a Dalit like Dr. Ambedkar could lift himself and pen the words of the constitution that protects the rights of all Indians”. This word describes the popularity of Dr. Ambedkar beyond the boundaries of the country.
Despite his poor caste, Ambedkar’s father had become an officer in
the Indian Army and was able to insist that his sons should be educated so
Ambedkar was allowed to attend school. At that time teachers were often
reluctant to engage with Dalit children, often refusing to mark their exams.
Ambedkar was the first in his community to graduate High School and went on to
study for a BA in Economics and Politics at Bombay University, where he met
Sayaji Rao III, the Maharajah of the princely state of Baroda. The Maharajah
was an active advocate of social reforms, including the removal of untouchability.
He sponsored Ambedkar’s further education abroad, first at Columbia University
in New York where he completed a Masters and a Ph.D., and later at LSE.
During this period Ambedkar studied economics, history, and
political science, and wrote on a wide range of topics, including the history
of caste in India. There is also evidence in his letters at this time of his
belief in education as a path to progress, with a particular emphasis on female
education. Dr. Ambedkar was huge fond of reading books, He purchased about
2,000 old books in New York, at the time of the Second Round Table Conference;
he bought many books in London and sent them to India in 32 boxes. He had his
library in his house and it is believed that he lived, took his meals, and even
slept in the library.
Following are some contributions of Dr. Ambedkar to India:
1. Dr. Ambedkar was a renowned
economist. He wrote three scholarly books on economics: 1- Administration and
Finance of the East India Company, 2- The Evolution of Provincial Finance in
British India, 3- The problem of the Rupees: Its origin and its solution (The
Legislative Assembly passed this under the name of RBI Act-1934). He
played a pivotal role in the formation and establishment of the Reserve Bank of
India. Prof. Amartya Sen, 6th Indian to get a significant Nobel Prize has
claimed “Ambedkar is my Father in Economics. His contribution in the field of
economics is marvelous and will be remembered forever”
2. Dr. Ambedkar was the man behind changing the working hours in India from 14 hours to 8 hours. As a member of labor in the viceroy’s council from 1942 to 1946, Dr. Ambedkar was contributory to bringing about several labor reforms. He changed the working hours from 14 hours to 8 hours in the 7th session of the Indian Labour Conference in New Delhi. He also introduced several measures for workers like dearness allowance, leave benefit, employee insurance, medical leave, equal pay for equal work, minimum wages, and periodic revision of the scale of pay. He also strengthened trade unions and established employment exchanges across India.
3. Dr. Ambedkar opposed Article
370 of the Indian constitution. Ambedkar refused to draft Article 370 of the
constitution (which gives special status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir)
because it was discriminatory and against the principles of unity and integrity
of the nation. Article 370 was eventually drafted by Gopalswamy Ayyangar,
former Diwan to Maharajah Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. He focused on socio-economy,
and political democracy and tried to eradicate social and economic evils that
India has been facing till today.
5. Dr. Ambedkar fought for three
years to get the comprehensive Hindu Code Bill passed which gave several
important rights to women. Ambedkar resigned from his post as the first law
minister of India when the comprehensive Hindu Code Bill was dropped by the
Indian parliament. The bill had two main purposes – first, to elevate the
social status of Hindu women by giving them their due rights, and second, to
abrogate social disparities and caste inequalities.
Some of the
key features of this bill were:
· Women could now inherit family
property, permitting divorce and adoption of girls
· The code gave both men and
women the right to divorce if the marriage was untenable.
· Widows and divorcees were
given the right to remarry.
· Polygamy was outlawed
· Inter-caste marriage and adoption of children of any caste would be permitted.
· The contribution of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to women's empowerment in India is immense. The orthodoxy in the ruling party led by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee didn't allow this bill to be passed.
A eminent supporter of women’s rights, Ambedkar also said,
“I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress
which women had achieved. Let every girl who marries stand by her husband,
claim to be her husband’s friend and equal, and refuse to be his slave. I am
sure if you follow this advice, you will bring honor and glory to yourselves.”
Lessons I learned from the Life of Dr. B.R.Ambekar
1. Be
Optimistic
2. Give
back to the society
3. Education is the ultimate key to success
4. Fight for your rights
5. Always seek the truth
Dr. Ambedkar devoted his
whole life to the nation and proved himself as a real compatriot. We can draw
inspiration from his ideology, philosophy, views, polities, and achievements.
He is remembered as a source of everlasting inspiration. India’s pandemic
response still needed Ambedkar’s vision of social security and public health.
Indeed, Dr. Ambedkar was
one of the foremost makers of modern India and was awarded posthumously Bharat
Ratna.
It was very difficult to express all the thoughts about Dr.
Ambedkar in one go because what he did is truly remarkable but through his
activities and contribution, he has proved “Life should be great rather than
long” which he himself believed. On his birth anniversary, I paid my
sincere tributes to him. Truly legend! One of Favorite adage by Babasaheb.
 |
| One of my favorite adage by Babasaheb |
Adios until next time!
Gaurav
References:
1.
Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development, The Indian
Antiquary, 1917; The Evolution of Provincial Finance in India, 1925
2.
Chavdar Tank Satyagrah, Mahad 1927; Parvati Temple Satyagrah, Pune 1929;
Kalaram Temple Satyagrah, Nasik 1930-32
3.
Keer, Dhananjay, Dr. Ambedkar: Life and Mission, Popular Prakashan, Mumbai,
1954, pp.32-33
Your Life should be great rather than long💯💯
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