Ambedkar Jayanti : Interesting Facts About Architect of Indian Constitution Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar
A jurist, economist, politician as well as social reformer, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. He dedicated his life towards the cause of achieving equality and respect for Dalits and untouchables.
ndians live on the principles of equality, democracy, liberty, fraternity and socialism, taught to us by our Indian Constitution. The Constitution of India was designed and prepared by Dr B R Ambedkar, also known as the father and chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
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A jurist, economist, politician as well as social reformer, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. He dedicated his life towards the cause of achieving equality and respect for Dalits and untouchables. The political activist completed his studies at Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
He later converted to Buddhism in 1956 and began a new path of mass conversions for Dalits and untouchables. On his 129th birth anniversary this year, here are a few interesting facts about independent India’s first law and justice minister:
· Dr B R Ambedkar’s birthplace in Madhya Pradesh was Mhow, a small cantonment in the Indore district. However, the town was renamed as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar in 2003 by an initiative of the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
· He has received a number of awards and recognitions including 1956’s Bodhisattva, Bharat Ratna in 1990, First Colombian Ahead of Their Time Award in 2004 and The Greatest Indian in 2012.
· Dr Ambedkar was the 14th and last child to his parents. While his original surname was Ambawadekar, his teacher Mahadev Ambedkar gave him ‘Ambedkar’ surname during school.
· While the Indian flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya, it was Dr Ambedkar who is credited for placing the Ashok Chakra in the middle of the tricolour.
· Not just economics, but Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was a master in 64 subjects and knew nine languages. He could speak Hindi, Pali, Sanskrit, English, French, German, Marathi, Persian, and Gujarati.
· Dr Ambedkar is rightly recognised as the modern Buddha of his age. This title was given to him by Mahant Veer Chandramani, the great Buddhist monk who initiated Babasaheb to Buddhism
Ambedkar was the 14th and the last child of his parents. His father Ramji Maolji Sakpal was a Subedar major and mother’s name was Bhimabai Murdabad Sankpal.
His original name was Ambadavekar but his teacher changed it to his own surname Ambedkar.
Ambedkar married to Ramabai at the age of 15.
He was the first Dalit to pass matriculation.
Ambedkar was also the first Indian to pursue a doctorate degree in economics abroad
He was principal of Mumbai’s Government Law College for two years.
The chief architect of the Indian constitution once wanted to burn it if did not take into consideration the welfare of minorities.
He refused to draft Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In 1947, Ambedkar was appointed as the first minister of Law and Justice. He resigned after his women rights bill got rejected.
The idea to split Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were first proposed by him in 1912. The states were divided on November 15, 2000.
In the seventh session of the Indian Labour Conference, 1942, Ambedkar changed working hours from 14 hours to 8 hours in the country.
He breathed his last on December 6, 1956 and was accorded a Buddhist cremation.
Ambedkar was posthumously conferred Bharat Ratan– India’s highest civilian award– in 1990.
He has the highest number of statues in the world. His first statue was built in Kolhapur, Mumbai.
