Arjun Ram Meghwal
Today the nation is celebrating the 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. It is also a special occasion because it is also the 100th year of Ambedkar’s dissertation ‘The Problem of Rupee: Its Origin and its Solution’, which laid the foundation of the Reserve Bank of India in 1934. This was the time when the country was planning to break free from the shackles of colonialism.
During his participation in all the three round table conferences in front of the Simon Commission, Dr. Ambedkar represented the work related to the upliftment of the downtrodden class. Labor Member in the Viceroy’s Council (1942-46), Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, he steadfastly defended the genuine interests of the targeted people in each of his assignments. Having a visionary approach to India’s sovereignty and integrity, he opposed some of Nehru government’s moves like special status for Jammu and Kashmir and UNO intervention etc.
Dr. Ambedkar was such a shining star who represented our heritage of a proud nation. But have we fully accepted Ambedkar’s ideology? If we look at history, it is known that the journey of accepting Ambedkar’s personality was difficult for the Congress and other governments. The proof of this is that his life-size portrait was installed in the Central Hall of the Parliament after 34 years. Ironically, the first picture of Dr. Ambedkar in the sitting posture in the Central Hall was removed on 9 August 1989, which was later restored on 12 April 1990.
The Modi government is very sensitive to the concerns of Ambedkar’s followers. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the National Research Institute for Conservation of Cultural Property, Lucknow has secured Baba Saheb’s belongings. A total of 1358 artefacts have been preserved including the typewriter used in drafting the constitution, which will be displayed at the newly constructed Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar Socio-Economic and Culture Centre, Chincholi, Nagpur in due course of time. Spread over 11.5 acres, the center is a fusion of Indo-Thai architecture, which also houses a museum, memorial, meditation-yoga hall and library.
After 2014, the Modi government has tried to make and mold the system from planning to implementation and governance according to Ambedkar’s inspiration. It is the result of the untiring efforts of the government that the dedicated development of Panch Teerth- Dr. Ambedkar International Center has taken place. Implementation of people-centric schemes to help the poor are steps that take the government closer to Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts. The relentless journey of nation-building with the values of reform, performance and transformation is impacting lives in many ways for a better future. Startups, PM Awas Yojana, BHIM, Mudra, and JAM, among many other initiatives, are testimony to the fact that the government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure implementation to a satisfactory level. The agenda of mainstreaming the issues neglected by the previous governments has given impetus to the development prospects of the country.
There is a reflection of Dr. Ambedkar in the Prime Minister’s five vows like human-centered developed India, freedom from all signs of slavery, pride in our heritage, unity-solidarity and performance of civic duties. Dr. Ambedkar believed that the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity are part of Indian culture, which he got from the teachings of Mahatma Buddha. To accept Dr. Ambedkar’s ideology at its core and follow his values in action is to pay true tribute to the great son of India.
If the tendency to accept the ideology of Dr. Ambedkar had been a matter of priority for the earlier governments, then not only would the country have benefited, but public welfare would have been seen on a large scale. On his 132nd birth anniversary, let us resolve to build a prosperous, just and harmonious society.
(The writer is Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs)
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own.