THEME PAPER ON DR.

B R AMBEDKAR

Samprati Motghare | Reg. No. 0293/49

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE: INSIGHTS FROM INDIAN ETHOS, IIM Calcutta

Contents

Early life and Education ........................................................................................................................... 2 Why is he an inspiration?.......................................................................................................................... 3 Visionary .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Social Reformer.................................................................................................................................... 3 Education despite all odds.................................................................................................................... 4 Father of Indian Constitution ............................................................................................................... 4 His Inspiration ......................................................................................................................................... 4 His Communication ................................................................................................................................. 5 His Values ................................................................................................................................................ 5 His Legacy ............................................................................................................................................... 6 References................................................................................................................................................ 6

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Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 6 December 1956), popularly also known as . Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, politician, philosopher, anthropologist, historian and economist. A revivalist for Buddhism in India, he inspired the Modern Buddhist movement. As independent India's first law minister, he was principal architect of the Constitution of India.

Early life and Education

Ambedkar was born in the town and military cantonment of Mhow in the Central Provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh). He was the 14th and last child of Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai. His family was of Marathi background from the town of Ambavade (Mandangad taluka) in Ratnagiri district of modern-day Maharashtra. They belonged to the Mahar caste, who were treated as untouchables and subjected to socio-economic discrimination. Ambedkar's ancestors had for long been in the employment of the army of the British East India Company, and, his father served in the Indian Army at the Mhow cantonment. Belonging to the Kabir Panth, Ramji Sakpal encouraged his children to read the Hindu classics. He used his position in the army to lobby for his children to study at the government school, as they faced resistance owing to their caste. Although able to attend school, Ambedkar and other untouchable children were segregated and given little attention or assistance by the teachers. They were not allowed to sit inside the class. In 1897, Ambedkar's family moved to Bombay where Ambedkar became the only untouchable enrolled at Elphinstone High School. In 1906, his marriage to a nine-year old girl, Ramabai, was arranged. In 1907, he passed his matriculation examination and in the following year he entered Elphinstone College, which was affiliated to the University of Bombay, becoming the first from his untouchable community to do so. This success provoked celebrations in his community and after a public ceremony he was presented with a biography of the Buddha by Dada Keluskar, the author and a family friend. By 1912, he obtained his degree in economics and political science from Bombay University, and prepared to take up employment with the Baroda state government. His wife, by then 15 years had just moved his young family and started work, when he had to quickly return to Mumbai to see his ailing father, who died on 2 February 1913. In 1913, he moved to the United States. He had been awarded a Baroda State Scholarship of 11.50 (Sterling) per month for three years under a scheme established by the Gaekwar of Baroda that was designed to provide opportunities for postgraduate education at Columbia University. Soon after arriving there he settled in rooms at Livingston Hall with Naval Bhathena, a Parsi who was to be a lifelong friend. He passed his M.A. exam in June 1915, majoring in Economics, with Sociology, History, Philosophy and Anthropology as other subjects of study; he presented a thesis, Ancient Indian Commerce. In 1916 he completed his second thesis, National Dividend of IndiaA Historic and Analytical Study' for another M.A. and finally he received his Ph.D. in Economics in 1917 for his third thesis, after he left for London. On 9 May, he read his paper Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development before a seminar conducted by the anthropologist Alexander Goldenweiser. In October 1916 he enrolled for the Bar course at Gray's Inn, and also at the same time enrolled at the London School of Economics where he started work on a doctoral thesis. But in June 1917 he was obliged to go back to India as the term of his scholarship from
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Baroda ended, However he was given permission to return to submit his thesis within four years. His thesis was on "Indian Rupee." He came back to London at the first opportunity and completed his studies. At the London School Of Economics he took a Master's degree in 1921 and in 1923 he took his D.Sc.in Economics, and the same year he was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn. His third and fourth Doctorates (Ll.D, Columbia, 1952 and Ll.D., Osmania, 1953) were conferred honoris causa. Incidentally, in his journey (1917) he travelled separately from his collection of books, which were lost when the ship on which they were dispatched was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Narendra Jadhav, a leading Indian economist, has said that Ambedkar was "the highest educated Indian economist of all times."

Why is he an inspiration?
There are several of his works which inspire a lot of people around the world especially human rights activists, social reformers, economists and politicians.

Visionary
By virtue of holding its first national election in 1951-52, India achieved the status of the worlds largest liberal democracy. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the other founding fathers believed universal suffrage was a necessary pre-condition, although Indias literacy level was an abysmal 16 per cent in 1947. The success of that election, which was also its first marker of equality, belied the many sceptics who felt that the electoral exercise was doomed to failure.

Social Reformer
He launched many a struggle against the social evils and casteist atrocities of his times. Having considered Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, as his philosophical mentor, Dr.Ambedkar worked against the casteist practices in the country. For, he was a social reformer of unparallel quality. He founded several institutions of educational and social nature in Maharashtra and outside. Despite facing several odds at home and abroad Dr. Ambedkar had stood firmly on his ground. Incidentally, he took up the problems of one-fourth of Indians, the depressed castes, to the International level (Round Table Conferences at London) on couple of occasions. Ultimately, he was successful in achieving some concessions to his fellow communities, notwithstanding the opposition from the Gandhian leadership. Dr. Ambedkar was successful in making the social issue on the top of agenda of the new leadership of Indian government. At a time when whole country was praising the efforts of Gandhis and Nehrus of Indian National Congress for the success of freedom, Dr Ambedkar was taking on them, on the issues of casteism and social equality. Dr. Ambedkar rightly stood for empowerment of Dalits, Adivasis, Backward communities, religious minorities and women in India. Dr. Ambedkar made it his lifes mission to uplift these masses. Besides, the most imperative contribution of Dr. Ambedkar was his fight for equal rights for women and for their voting rights. In fact, he had to resign from the Union ministry on an issue that undermined the women rights. The significant contribution of Dr. Ambedkar is reflected in the protective discrimination scheme envisaged under some provisions of Part III and Part IV (DPSP) to ameliorate the condition of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the other backward classes. Provisions like Article 17 prohibiting untouchability, Article 30 dealing with the
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protection of religious and linguistic minorities and of course an Article 46 is to uplift the SC/STs in educational and employment fields are some of the notable examples

Education despite all odds

Even though he was born in a so-called untouchable community (Mahars), he emerged on the heights of academic achievements in the world. For, he studied law, philosophy and economics in the most reputed institutions abroad. Having acquired a doctorate degree for his work in economics from an American University, he authored several theses and books thereafter. For instance, his writing on the annihilation of caste became the most powerful writings in his times. He practiced law in Mumbai courts. Besides working as the Principal, he was also a faculty in the law college. Dr. Ambedkar contributed several articles on the socio-economic plight of his fellow countrymen. He was a multi-dimensional personality, having humanism foremost in his works ala Karl Marx of Germany.

Father of Indian Constitution

Besides Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a galaxy of great leaders and legal scholars in the Constituent Assembly was associated with the drafting of the Constitution. Although it was the result of collective efforts, he alone worked on it consistently. Dr.Ambedkar had to spend several sleepless nights during the course of its drafting. In this Herculean task of Constitutional work, Dr. Ambedkars thorough knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures was to come to his timely help. Although Dr. Ambedkar used Western models to give the Constitution a form, its spirit was Indian! The manner in which he singlehandedly responded to several questions being raised in the Constituent Assembly was worth noting. His convincing arguments on many controversial issues won him big applaud during the course of debates in Assembly. He provided an inspiring Preamble to the Constitution, ensuring justice, social, economic and political, liberty, equality and fraternity to one all. Always, Dr.Ambedkar was a champion of fundamental rights, which are made justiciable. Although non-judiciable is the character of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), he claimed that there would be moral force on the regimes to implement it. In view of existence of numerous religions in the country, and considering the case of religious freedom, he included a right as part of the fundamental rights itself. In a way, that has enabled India to remain a secular state. Further, aware of the plural character of Indian society, Dr Ambedkar strongly advocated for the federal structure of the Union and States based on the principles of a strong Centre and independent States.

His Inspiration
In the year 1924 a Barrister by name Madhavan had to attend a case in the court on a day. Madhavan belong to the Ezhava community (a low caste community). Madhavan was denied entry into the street because his entry would pollute the street. This incident led to the Vaikom satyagrgha. The satyagrgha was led by EV Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, the then President of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee. Hundreds of volunteers, Periyar including his wife and sister courted arrested and Periyar was imprisoned. The prolonged agitation in the end secured right for the Ezhavas to walk into the street. Mahatma Gandhi and other Congress leaders applauded on the success of the agitation led

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by Periyar. Dr Ambedkar was inspired by the effectiveness of the agitation securing a social justrice for the untouchables. Dr Ambedkar wanted to meet Periyar. The two, Dr Ambedkar and Periyar were like-minded people for a common cause. Though Periyar was not formally educated like Dr Ambedkar, Babasaheb developed a strong respect for his rationalist ideas and sense of social justice. This bond of friendship and fruit of Periyars successful agitation Vaikom made Ambedkar to revolt against the caste system, when he awakened 35000 untouchables to fight for their rights by making them drink water from a pond in Maharashtra to which they were not allowed access.

His Communication
He was a fearless leader and never hesitated to speak his mind. "Learn to live in this world with self-respect. You should always cherish some ambition to do something in this world. They alone rise who strive. Some of you nurse the wrong notion that you will not rise in this world. But remember that the age of helplessness has ended. A new epoch has set in. All things are now possible because of your being able to participate in the Politics & Legislatures of this country", is a famous quote from him telling the untouchables the opportunities in front of them. He just gave one message to his people, Get educated, be united and fight for your rights. His weekly publication Mooknayak was one of tools which he used to struggle against untouchability. He used this tool for criticizing traditional Hindu political leaders and practices of cast discrimination. He delivered various speeches to encourage the untouchables to fight against social discrimination. He also started takings meetings known as Bahiskrit Hitakarani Sabha for the encouraging the welfare, education and social development of lower class.

His Values
The preamble of the Indian Constitution contains the essence of his value system. To quote the preamble, WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, HAVING SOLEMNLY RESOLVED TO constitute INDIA INTO A "SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC" AND to secure all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY, of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY , of status and opportunity; and to promote among them all; FRATERNITY, assuring the dignity of individual the unity and integrity of nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION." He was someone who believed in equality, justice, liberty, fighting for the just cause and patriotism.

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His Legacy
Ambedkar's legacy as a socio-political reformer, had a deep effect on modern India. In postIndependence India his socio-political thought has acquired respect across the political spectrum. His initiatives have influenced various spheres of life and transformed the way India today looks at socio-economic policies, education and affirmative action through socio-economic and legal incentives. His reputation as a scholar led to his appointment as free India's first law minister, and chairman of the committee responsible to draft a constitution. He passionately believed in the freedom of the individual and criticised equally both orthodox casteist Hindu society. His condemnation of Hinduism and its foundation of caste system, made him controversial and unpopular among the Hindu right. His conversion to Buddhism sparked a revival in interest in Buddhist philosophy in India and abroad. Many public institutions are named in his honour, such as the Ambedkar University Delhi; Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University in Hyderabad; B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur; the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad, Maharashtra; and the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, otherwise known as Sonegaon Airport. A large official portrait of Ambedkar is on display in the Indian Parliament building. Ambedkar, was voted as the "Greatest Indian" in 2012 by a poll organised by History TV18 and CNN IBN. Nearly 2 crore votes were cast, making him the most popular Indian figure since the launch of the initiative. Ambedkar's political philosophy has given rise to a large number of political parties, publications and workers' unions that remain active across India, especially in Maharashtra. His promotion of Buddhism has rejuvenated interest in Buddhist philosophy among sections of population in India. Mass conversion ceremonies have been organised by human rights activists in modern times, emulating Ambedkar's Nagpur ceremony of 1956. Outside India, at the end of the 1990s, some Hungarian Romani people drew parallels between their own situation and the situation of the downtrodden people in India. Inspired by Ambedkar's approach, they started to convert to Buddhism.

References
http://www.countercurrents.org/reddy130413.htm http://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2009/06/b-r-ambedkar-an-indefatigabledefender-of-human-rights.html http://www.indiaparenting.com/stories/83_3361/dr-babasaheb-ambedkar.html http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/an-innovation-that-changed-the-polllandscape/article4807770.ece http://new.modernrationalist.com/2012/11/babasaheb-dr-b-r-ambedkar-a-multifacetedpersonality/ http://msesedu.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/dr-br-ambedkar-biography/ http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/br-ambedkar.html http://www.angelfire.com/ak/ambedkar/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preamble_to_the_Constitution_of_India http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._R._Ambedkar

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