Er. H.R.Phonsa
A symbol of knowledge, Bharat Ratana Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14 th April 1891 at Mhow to revered Subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal and Mata Bhimabai of Mahar Community. During those days untouchability was widespread with untouchable Hindus. Ambedkar also faced worst types of low caste hates He had to sit out side class room daylong without water.He could not even write on the his class room black board as lunch of upper caste students was kept behind it. Ambedkar worked over 18 hours a day. Bhimrao was married to Ramabai at the tender age of 17 years when his wife was only of 9 years. Mata Ramabai stood like a rock by the side of her Sahib in the later life till her death on May 27, 1935.
Bhim passed his Matriculation and created history of sorts for his community, the Mahars. After Bhimrao passed his F.A ( 12th class ) one of his teachers Shri Karloskar a good hearted knowing Bhim’s poverty and determination to have maximum education, took him to Maharaja of Baroda Siyaji Giakward for financial help. Maharaja Giakward asked a few questions, which Bhim answered correctly, so Maharaja granted a scholarship of Rupees Twenty Five per month. This was a great turning point in the life of a poor, helpless Shudra student, who in turn on later days opened two colleges one each at Bombay & Auragabad, which are presently Universities, imparting quality education to students annually
Again Maharaja of Baroda sanctioned scholarship for Ambedkar to study in USA university. Ambedkar worked very had to wear the crown decorated with degrees of M.A. PhD D.Litt D.sc; Bar at Law; LLD from USA and UK universities.
Later he jumped into active politics. He started his own news papers in Marathi much earlier than Mahatama Gandhi started his paper The Harijan. He attended as representative of untouchables all the three RTCs at London. He succeeded in convincing the British Crown representatives and commissions sent to India to study future Constitutional provisions that Untouchable were different entity than Hindus. He secured Communal Award from the British regime for his people which was annulled by Poona Pact of 1932 due to undertaken fast unto death by Mahatama Gandhi. Instead Reservation in services and political seats was agreed for depressed classes. He also launched his political Parties (ILP,SCF) and contested elections in Maharastra, winning some seats too.
Dr Ambedkar with country first pledge served on highly prestigious positions as Labour member of Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942-46 ) ; First Law Minister Of Independent India and earned the distinction of serving as Chairman Of the Constitution Drafting Committee to draft Constitution for free India . He proved an emancipator for Dalits, a torch bearer for the liberation of slaves’ world over .
Dr Ambedkar lost four children ( three sons and one daughter) in the service of his people. This besides giving him grief made him determined fight to break economic and caste chains of his Dalit brethren. He was highly praised by those who understood his odious cause for the liberation of his Dalit community persons, but also abused as traitor by those who never appreciated his mission of life and wanted to maintain status-quo in social, political, economic and religious spheres even after independence. Dr. Ambedkar passed away in his sleep at 26 Alipore roads New Delhi on 6th of December 1956 Over ten lacs mourners witnessed the last rites and over one lac embraced Buddhism on the day.
One of the major contributions of Dr. Ambedkar was to fight age old caste system among Hindus who denied their co- followers or untouchables or Dalits, the right to have better prospects in the education social, economical, religious and political fields. He converted to Buddhism with ten lacs of his followers. Dr.Ambedkar provided leadership to dumb and deaf to fight for their rights.
Dr.Ambedkar was awaded Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour posthumously on his 99th Birth Anniversary 14th April 1990. He advocated to be one’s own lamp ( Diya) The greatest tributes to this great son of India shall be to follow his ideals of making State as a welfare State and to strive by all practical means to create situation for flourishing of fraternity among its peoples without bigotry of caste, creed, sex, economic, social, religious and place of birth affiliations.
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