Ambedkar Jayanti falls on April 14th every year and marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He was fondly addressed as Babasaheb by the general masses. This year the countrymen will be celebrating 123rd birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar.
He was the main planner who drafted the Constitution of India therefore, he was known as the Father of Indian Constitution. To honour the Father of the Constitution, the day has been declared as a National Holiday across the country. A great human rights activist, Dr. Ambedkar made immense contributions to uplift the poor people of India. He made significant contributions in India’s freedom struggle. Thus, this great soul was revered with India’s highest civilian award-Bharat Ratna in the year 1990.
Dr. Ambedkar was amongst the first Dalit (untouchables) to attain college education in India. He was a multifaceted individual viz. he was an Indian jurist, political leader, revolutionary, revivalist of Buddhism in India, anthropologist, philosopher, economist, teacher, historian, prolific writer and an editor too.
In the year 1923, he formed the ‘Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha’ with the primary aim to spread the necessity of education and enhance the economic status of the lower group of people of India. He even ran a social movement popularlised with the slogan “Educate-agitate-Organize” aiming to eradicate the system of casteism in India and transforming the Indian society by adhering to the rule of equality of human beings.
Amongst his major contributions is protecting the Fundamental Rights (for the social freedom, equality and eradication of untouchability towards the lower group of people) and Directive Principles of State Policy (enhancing the living status by securing the fair distribution of wealth) in the Indian Constitution.
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm all over the country specifically in Varanasi, Delhi and other big cities etc. Like every year, the President and the Prime Minister of the country pay a respectful homage at his statue at the Parliament, New Delhi.
In remembrance of this great soul, many cultural activities including rallies are organised by different organisations and institutions across the country. Moreover, in order to celebrate this day, a seminar at a huge scale is organised on an yearly basis by the Bhartiya Journalists Welfare Association, Lucknow.
Besides this, the private and government sector work places organize prayers and memorial speeches. Dalit Melas are held in various parts of the country. On this day, the people of India carry out a parade with his statue in the front and enjoy while dancing on the beats of drums and dhol.
