‘Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar’, written by Shanti Swarup Boudh, is a biography of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is one of the great personalities of India. Since he belonged to the Dalit community, he had to face many hardships and challenges. He was a very wise man, a team worker, a great orator and a messiah for the Dalit community. He was born into an untouchable Mahar (caste) family on 14 April 1891. His mother was Bhimabai and his father was Ramji. Ramji was a Subedar in the British Army. He wanted to give his son a good education.
Bhimrao Ambedkar completed his education amidst great difficulties and challenges. His classmates would insult him every day. Even his teachers considered him untouchable and always kept him at a distance. He was a bright student. In 1907, he passed the matriculation examination. He enrolled at Elphinstone College in Bombay. The Maharaja of Baroda, Sayyajirao Gaekwad gave him a monthly stipend of 25 rupees. In 1912, he passed the B.A. examination.
In 1913, Ambedkar went to the United States of America for further education. He obtained his M.A. in 1915 and a PhD. in 1916 from Columbia University. Later, in 1916, he moved to England for further studies. He had made a written promise to the Maharaja of Baroda, that after he finished his education, he would work for the government of Baroda. Leaving his studies midway, he returned to Baroda, from England. Even when he returned, he had to bear insults time and again. Then he became a professor in Sydenham College in Bombay. He saved money and in 1920 he returned to England to finish his studies, which he had left midway. He obtained his M.Sc. and Barrister-at-law degrees and then returned to India – in 1923.
Dr. Ambedkar always worried about the development of the untouchable community. In 1924, he established the Samata Sainik Dal. He also became a member of the Bombay Science Society. While at this post, he worked towards the upliftment of untouchables. He started a journal called ‘Mook Nayak’. In this, the problems facing the untouchable community were discussed. Besides this, Ambedkar endeavored to kindle hope in the Dalit community through his powerful speeches and oration.
He was invited as a member of the Round Table Conference, which was organized by the British in London, to decide upon the future government and the Constitution of India. At the conference, Ambedkar spoke on behalf of the Dalits, demanding basic rights for the community. In 1932, through the ‘Pune Pact, he obtained special reservations in jobs and posts in educational institutions for the Dalits. Due to the untiring and constant efforts of Dr. Ambedkar, the people of the Dalit community began to live with their heads held high.
After India became independent, Dr. Ambedkar gained worldwide fame by compiling the Indian Constitution. He is known as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’. He also became the first law minister of independent India.
On 14th of October, 1956, Dr. Ambedkar along with five lakh followers, converted to Buddhism in the city of Nagpur. On the 6th of December, 1956, Dr. Ambedkar passed away. After his death, the government of India honored him with the highest civilian award, the ‘Bharat Ratna’.
