Ambedkar Jayanti
Ambedkar Jayanti, celebrated on April 14, honors the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the 'Father of the Indian Constitution.' A visionary leader, social reformer, and advocate for equality, he dedicated his life to fighting caste discrimination and ensuring justice for all.
On this special day, people across the country pay tribute to his legacy through events, discussions, and acts of social service.
Who Started Ambedkar Jayanti
It was social reformer and activist Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay who celebrated Ambedkar's birthday for the first time on April 14, 1928 in Pune. Fast forward to March 31, 2011, the Government of India turned April 14 into an official holiday on account of Ambedkar's birthday.
A Look into the History of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, India, to Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai Sakpal. Growing up as a member of the Dalit Mahar community, he experienced firsthand the harsh realities of caste discrimination. However, his intelligence and unwavering determination set him apart from an early age. His thirst for knowledge took him to prestigious institutions like Columbia University and the London School of Economics, where he earned multiple doctorates in economics.
As he delved deeper into education, his resolve to challenge the caste system grew stronger. In 1936, he penned Annihilation of Caste, a groundbreaking critique of the Hindu caste hierarchy. Originally intended as a speech, the boldness of his ideas led organizers to cancel the event. Undeterred, Ambedkar published the work himself, and it soon became a landmark text for social reform in India.
His most influential role came in 1947 when he was appointed chairman of the committee responsible for drafting India's Constitution. He played a crucial role in embedding principles of equality, justice, and fundamental rights into the nation’s legal framework. As India’s first Law and Justice Minister, he also pushed for reforms in Hindu personal laws to promote gender equality, though his ideas met resistance from traditionalists.
By 1956, deeply disillusioned by the persistence of caste-based discrimination, Ambedkar made a transformative decision- he embraced Buddhism. In a historic event in Nagpur, he led nearly 200,000 Dalits in converting to Buddhism, seeing it not just as a religion but as a means to reclaim dignity and freedom.
Even after his passing, Ambedkar’s works continue to inspire generations. His book The Buddha and His Dhamma explores Buddhist philosophy and its role in social change. His legacy as a scholar, social reformer, and key architect of modern India remains deeply influential, driving movements for equality and justice to this day.
Quotes by B.R. Ambedkar
"The relationship between husband and wife should be one of closest friends."
"Life should be great rather than long."
"Equality may be a fiction but nonetheless one must accept it as a governing principle."
"Knowledge is the foundation of a man’s life."
"I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved."
"Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence."
"Lost rights are never regained by appeals to the conscience of the usurpers, but by relentless struggle."
"Be Educated, Be Organised and Be Agitated."
Interesting Facts about Dr Ambedkar
- Dr B.R. Ambedkar was married twice- Ramabai and Savita. He married Ramabai when he was 15 and the latter was 8. His second marriage with Savita took place after his first wife's death when he was 56.
- Dr Ambedkar was actually the fourteenth and last child of Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai.
- Despite facing caste discrimination, he was the first Dalit to enter Elphinstone High School in Mumbai.
- He amassed over 50,000 books in his personal library, one of the largest private collections in the world at the time.
- Dr. Ambedkar single-handedly drafted the longest written constitution in the world.
- Bhimrao Ambedkar's original name was Ramji Sakpal.
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