Dr. B R Ambedkar is popularly known as the father of the Constitution of India and for his work for the emancipation of Dalits. But these are just part of the immense contributions he made for the upliftment of humanity. He was an Indian economist, politician, and social reformer. As a mark of appreciation for Dr his contributions to Indian society and the world, the Consulate General of India organized the 132nd birth anniversary celebrations of Dr Ambedkar at CGI Vancouver office on April 13.
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. His birthday is celebrated every year as Ambedkar Jayanti. The government of India has built 5 different memorials across the country highlighting various phases of Dr Ambedkar’s life. The latest addition is Dr Ambedkar National Memorial in New Delhi. It is located at the place where Dr BR Ambedkar breathed his last. It is known as Mahaparinirvana Bhoomi. The memorial has been designed to look like a constitution in the form of a book and is spread in nearly 2 acres. A short film was screened, on the occasion, to inform about the location and importance of these memorial buildings.
Consul General Manish in his address to the audience highlighted Dr Ambedkar’s vision in building the Indian constitution and how chapter 3 talks about right to equality for every Indian and non-Indian in the country and other freedoms to its citizens.
He congratulated various organizations operating in Greater Vancouver like the Chetna Association of Canada, Guru Ravidass Sabha, and other organizations working outside India to spread Dr Ambedkar’s message of equality in Canada. April is considered as Dalit History Month in BC. The province of British Columbia has proclaimed April 14 as Dr B R Ambedkar Equality Day.
Jai Birdi, founder of the Chetna Association, in his address, talked about the lesser-known contributions of Dr Ambedkar. He said Dr Ambedkar was a visionary, who asked for equal rights for women at a time when women didn’t have any rights. Indian politician Shashi Tharoor’s Book on Dr Ambedkar’s life describes him as India’s first male feminist.
He quoted India’s current President DroupadiMurmu, an example who credited Dr Ambedkar’s vision for her achievement. He said, “For me, Dr Ambedkar was the hero of the Dalit. But beyond that, he was a nation-builder. His contributions benefited society as a whole.”
Present on the occasion was Professor Swaran Singh, who is currently a visiting professor at UBC from India’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. Singh in his remarks discussed about Dr Ambedkar’s views on India’s foreign policy.
More events are planned across Lower Mainland to celebrate the life and work of Dr Ambedkar. One of the biggest event of the year is a week-long international symposium on equality and emancipation to celebrate Dr Ambedkar Equality Day in Vancouver. Approximately a hundred delegates are expected to attend the symposium in Vancouver from April 21 to 26, 2023 from India, the United Kingdom, France, the Middle East, the United States, and from across Canada. It is organized jointly by Chetna Association of Canada and the Ambedkarite International Coordination Society along with various academic partners.
