RU-53-01-0214-130423/EXPLAINER

Ambedkar Jayanti
(Ministry of Culture)
April 13, 2023
“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose
his being in the society in which he lives. Man's life is independent. He is born not for the
development of the society alone, but for the development of his self.”
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

“Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is a Vishwa Manav, who devoted his life in service of the poor
and marginalized. Dr. Ambedkar believed in the power of education. His economic vision
was unique, with a strong emphasis on welfare of farmer as well as the worker.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly

known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, is widely
revered as was one of the architects of the
Indian Constitution. A man of immense
stature and many facets, he was also
arenowned political leader, eminent jurist,
Buddhist activist, philosopher,
anthropologist, historian, orator, writer,
economist, scholar and editor. Dr.
Ambedkar fought to eradicate the social
evils like untouchability and for the rights of
the dalits and other socially backward
classes throughout his life. Dr. Ambedkar
was appointed as India's first Law Minister
in the Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's
highest civilian honour in 1990. The birthday of this great individual is celebrated as
Ambedkar Jayanti.
He was born on April 14, 1891 at Mhow near Indore in the then Central Province, now
Madhya Pradesh. For the first time, activist Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay celebrated
Ambedkar’s birthday publicly on 14 April 1928 in Pune. Since then, this day is celebrated as
Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti. From a humble origin, Dr Ambedkar went on to become
one of the foremost legal minds in the country.
On March 31, 20211, the Government of India decided to declare April 14 as a public holiday
on account of the birthday of Dr BR Ambedkar.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Emancipator of the Dalits

• After returning to India from his studies abroad, Bhimrao Ambedkar observed that
caste discrimination was almost fragmenting the Nation. He favoured the concept of
providing reservations for Dalits and other religious communities.
• With the aim of reaching out to people and making them understand the drawbacks of
the prevailing social evils, he launched a newspaper called "Mooknayaka" (leader of
the silent).
• In 1923, he set up the 'Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association),
for spreading education and culture amongst the downtrodden, improving the
economic status and raising matters concerning their problems in the proper forums to
focus attention on them and finding solutions to the same.
• In 1927, he led the Mahad March at the Chowdar Tank. This marked the beginning of
the anti-caste and anti-priest movement.
• The temple entry movement launched by Dr. Ambedkar in 1930 at Kalaram temple,
Nasik is another landmark in the struggle for human rights and social justice.
• Following the British Government’s announcement of the ‘Communal Award’
granting the ‘depressed classes’ the right to separate electorates, in September 1932,
Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji reached an understanding, which became the famous
Poona Pact. According to this Pact, the provision for separate electorates was
dispensed with, and reservations were provided for untouchables in Government jobs
and legislative assemblies.

1https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/Ambedkar%20holiday%202021.pdf
 • The Pact carved out a clear and definite position for the downtrodden on the political
scene of the country. It opened up opportunities of education and government service
for them and also gave them a right to vote.
• Dr. Ambedkar attended all the three Round Table Conferences in London and each
time, emphatically projected his views in the interests of the 'untouchable'. He
exhorted the downtrodden sections to raise their living standards and to acquire as
much political power as possible.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a Nation builder2

Babasaheb underlined the importance of creating not just a political democracy, but also a
social and economic one. His doctoral thesis inspired the setting up of the Finance
Commission of India and his works acted as a beacon in framing guidelines for the RBI
Act, 1934. He was one of the founders of Employment Exchanges in our country. He played
a vital rolein establishment of the National Power Grid System, Central Water Irrigation,
Navigation Commission, Damodar Valley Project, Hirakud Dam Project and Sone
River Project.

• Established the Finance Commission of India

In 1951, Ambedkar established the Finance Commission of India. He opposed income
tax for low-income groups. He contributed in Land Revenue Tax and excise duty
policies to stabilise the economy. He played an important role in land reform and the
state economic development. He emphasised equal rights for women for economic
development. He laid the foundation of industrial relations after Indian independence.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was based on the ideas that Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar presented to the Hilton Young Commission.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was trained as an economist, and was a professional economist
until1921, when he became a political leader. He wrote three scholarly books on
economics:
o Administration and Finance of the East India Company
o The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India
o The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution.

• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as an Architect of the Indian Constitution

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was elected as the Chairman of the drafting committee of the
Constitution. His statesmanship is visible in every article of the Indian Constitution.

In the beginning of 1948, Dr. Ambedkar completed the draft of the Constitution and
presented it in the Constituent Assembly. In November 1949, this draft was adopted
with very few amendments. Many provisions have been made in the Constitution to
ensure social justice for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward classes.
Dr. Ambedkar was of the opinion that traditional religious values should be given up
and new ideas adopted. He laid special emphasis on dignity, unity, freedom and rights
for all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.

2https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/dr-babasaheb-ambedkar-16
 • First Law Minister of Independent India
In 19473, when India became independent, he became the first Law Minister of
Independent India.

Contribution to the Upliftment of Women

• Dr. Ambedkar4 stressed on the importance of economic and social justice for women.
• His ideas are crystallized in his article titled "Castes in India - Their Mechanism,
Genesis and Development" in which he argues that both child marriage and Sati had
roots in an ancient practice of endogamy or marriage in the same caste. The article is
one of the earliest feminist works in India.
• He strongly advocated for family planning measures for women in Bombay
Legislative Assembly.
• Dr. Ambedkar created awareness among poor, illiterate women and inspired them to
fight against the unjust and social practices like child marriage and devdasi system.
• He dedicated his efforts to the adequate inclusion of women's right in the political
vocabulary and constitution of India.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his relationship with Buddhism

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism5 after attending a convention of Buddhist

scholars in Sri Lanka. On 24 May, 19566, on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, he
declared in Bombay, that he would adopt Buddhism in October. On October 14, 1956
he embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers.

3http://drambedkarwritings.gov.in/content/innerpage/about-dr-b-r-ambedkar.php
4http://www.drbrambedkarcollege.ac.in/sites/default/files/Baba%20Saheb%27s%20contribution%20to%20women%20em

powerment%20.pdf

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6http://www.drbrambedkarcollege.ac.in/sites/default/files/Baba%20Saheb%27s%20contribution%20to%20women%20em

powerment%20.pdf
 • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar founded the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha (Buddhist Society
of India) in 1955 and completed his final work 'The Buddha and His Dhamma'
in 1956. The book was however published posthumously.

Government’s Tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Babasaheb was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in
1990.
Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra
To mark the birth anniversary of Dr
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, IRCTC
will run "Ambedkar Yatra”
special tour by Bharat Gaurav
Tourist train, under the “Dekho
Apna Desh” initiative, covering the
prominent places associated with
life of Babasaheb Bhim Rao
Ambedkar & the Buddhist heritage
in 8 days journey.

Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

• The Government organised Gram Swaraj Abhiyan between April 14 and May 5,
2018.7 The campaign was extended to villages having population of than 1,000 in 116
aspirational districts from June 1 to August 15, 2018.
• The campaign undertaken under “Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon” was to promote social
harmony, spread awareness about pro-poor initiatives of the Government and reach
out to poor households to enroll them as also to obtain their feedback on various
welfare programmes.
• As a special endeavor during the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, saturation of eligible
households/persons was envisaged under seven flagship pro-poor programmes -
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya, Ujala
Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima
Yojana and Mission Indradhanush.
• During GSA, farmers' meetings were also also organized at block level in rural areas
of the country with aim of “Doubling the farmers’ income by 2022”.

BHIM App

• The Special App launched by the Central Government to promote Digital transactions
was named ‘BHIM’ in Babasaheb’s honour.

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Panchteerth

Five important places related to Ambedkar’s life have been developed by the Government
as centres of pilgrimage - ‘Panchteerth’. These include Baba Saheb’s birthplace in Mhow;
Dr Ambedkar Memorial in London - his Shiksha Bhoomi; Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur;
Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai, and his Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi in Delhi.

Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE)

• Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt.
of India, has launched the Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) in 31
Central Universities across the country.8
• The aim of the scheme is to provide high quality free coaching facilities to the
Scheduled Caste students for the Civil Services examinations, conducted by Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Dr. Ambedkar Chair

• Dr. Ambedkar Chairs have been established in various Universities/Institutes across

the country.9
• It aims to provide advanced Centres of learning in the premier universities and
educational institutes, where academicians, scholars and students would enrich and
advance studies and research to understand, assess, disseminate and implementation
of ideas and thoughts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• The Chairs will serve as Centres of learning and research not only on the subjects
concerning Dr. Ambedkar’s Works and Philosophy but also on the issues concerning
the socio-economic and cultural life as well as biological aspects of Scheduled Castes,
Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, Backward Classes and other socially and economically
Weaker and Oppressed Sections of the Society.

Monuments of National Importance

National Monuments Authority has recommended two sites associated with Dr Ambedkar,
the Father of Indian Constitution and a great social reformer, to be declared as Monuments of
National importance.10
These two sites are:
1. Sankalp Bhumi Banyan tree campus in Vadodara, where Dr. Ambedkar had taken
a resolve to eradicate untouchability on September 23, 1917. This place is more than
hundred years old and a witness to the beginning of social respect revolution heralded
by Dr. Ambedkar.
2. A place in Satara (Maharashtra) where Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar received his
primary education in Pratap Rao Bhosle High School. The school register still
shows with pride a child student Bhim Rao’s signatures in Marathi.

8
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1818759
9
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1818723
10
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1840163
Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM)
• With a view to promoting innovation and enterprise in SC students studying in higher
educational institution, Government of India launched the Ambedkar Social
Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM) on September 30, 2020.
• Under ASIIM initiative, 1,000 SC youth would be identified in the next 4 years with
start-up ideas through the Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in various higher
educational institutions.
• They will be funded @ Rs. 30 lakhs in 3 years as equity funding so that they can
translate their start-up ideas into commercial ventures.
• Successful ventures would further qualify for venture funding of up to Rs.15 Cr from
the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes.

Nationwide Celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar11

Government of India (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) organized Nationwide
Celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary Year of Dr. Ambedkar from 14.04.2015 to
14.04.2016. Approval of the Union Cabinet was obtained for the Nationwide Celebration and
a National Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Prime Minister to provide guidance,
advice and direction to the celebration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar was
set up on 1 June, 2015.
Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Dr. Ambedkar International Centre12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the
foundation stone of Dr. Ambedkar International
Centre in New Delhi on 20 April 2015. The
four storeyed Centre includes a Public Library,
Research & Extension Centre, Media-cum-
Interpretation Centre, Convention Centre, two
auditoriums and Exhibition on the Life of Dr.
Ambedkar. It was formally inaugurated by the
Prime Minister on 7 December 2017.

Release of Commemorative Postal Stamp of Dr.

B.R. Ambedkar13
A Commemorative Postal Stamp Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar was released on 30.09.2015 by Shri
Ravi Shanker Prasad and Shri Thawar Chand
Gehlot.

11Final book 125th Birth anniversary o print (drambedkarwritings.gov.in)

12
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13
http://ambedkarfoundation.nic.in/125_birth_anniversary/Ambedkar%20Foundation%20Book.pdf, page8
Study tour of 100 Research Scholars to USA and
UK14
On the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar, Government of India arranged a study
tour to Columbia University, New York and
London School of Economics, London for about
100 deserving research scholars from all over India
who are either working on or are interested in
making an intervention into the issues of social
justice in India and Ambedkar's social, political and
economic thought.

Celebration of First "Constitution Day'15

As a part of the 125th Birth
Anniversary celebrations of Dr.
Ambedkar, the Government of India
decided vide notification dated
November 19, 2015 to celebrate the
26th day of the November of every
year as the "Constitution Day" to
promote constitutional values among
citizens.
Subsequently first "Constitution day'
was celebrated throughout the country in a befitting manner and the Parliament House was
illuminated from 26 to 29 November on the days when the Houses of Parliament discussed
the contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in framing the Constitution of India.

Celebration of 125th Birth anniversary at Indian Missions abroad16

As part of the celebrations, Missions undertook activities such as Photo Exhibitions; Power
Point Presentations on Indian Constitution in local languages; screening of documentary &
films on Babasaheb Ambedkar; Lectures/Talks by senior local dignitaries and Jurists;
organising Seminars; panel discussions on Babasaheb's outstanding achievements in diverse
field; organising round-table sessions; bringing out supplements in the local media; essay
competitions and prize distributions, distribution of Constitution of India and other books
having focus of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Constitution of India.

14
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15
http://ambedkarfoundation.nic.in/125_birth_anniversary/Ambedkar%20Foundation%20Book.pdf, page12
16
http://ambedkarfoundation.nic.in/125_birth_anniversary/Ambedkar%20Foundation%20Book.pdf, page15
 Release of Commemorative Coin on Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released two
commemorative coins on 6 December 2015 as part
of the 125th birth anniversary year celebrations of
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The coins, which are of "ten-
rupee" and "one hundred and twenty-five rupee"
denomination, were issued on the Mahaparinirvan
Divas of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Observance of 60th Mahaparinirvan Divas

of Dr. Ambedkar18
The 60th Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Dr. B. R.
Ambedkar was observed on 6th December,
2015 in the Parliament House Lawns. The
President of India led the nation in paying
floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Tableau on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar19

As a part of the yearlong celebrations and one of the identified activities of the 125th Birth
Anniversary year of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
displayed a tableau on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in the Republic Day Parade on 26th January, 2016
at Rajpath, New Delhi.

17
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18
http://ambedkarfoundation.nic.in/125_birth_anniversary/Ambedkar%20Foundation%20Book.pdf, page17
19
http://ambedkarfoundation.nic.in/125_birth_anniversary/Ambedkar%20Foundation%20Book.pdf, page21
Source: 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
To read Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Writings & Speeches, please click here.
References:

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1777232
• http://drambedkarwritings.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Ambedkar%20Foundation%20Boo
k.pdf
• https://www.mea.gov.in/books-writings-of-ambedkar.htm
• http://drambedkarwritings.gov.in/content/innerpage/about-dr-b-r-ambedkar.php
• https://baou.edu.in/dr-br-ambedkar
• https://www.newsncr.com/national/ambedkar-played-an-important-role-not-only-in-the-
constitution-of-india-but-also-in-the-formation-of-rbi-know-this-interesting-story/
• http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2018/Jan/engpdf/67-73.pdf
• https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/b-r-ambedkar-3657.php

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