I have been
writing in my blogs on the subject – April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar,
to be declared as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. It
is gratifying to note the proposal is slowly attracting support and
understanding not only with the GOI but also with the international community.
The birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar this year, 2026, again was celebrated at the
UN in New York along with all the Indian diplomatic missions abroad. The
Government of Canada honoured the Indian icon and declared
his birthday as ‘Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in Canada. I am confident that many more would
follow suit in due course. I thought of engaging the Indian diplomatic
machinery with the proposal and
wrote a letter to 20 senior Indian Ambassadors/High Commissioners in big countries and likely stake holders considering the size of Indian diaspora in these countries with a view to solicit their understanding and support in carrying forward India’s Soft and Cultural Diplomacy in line with India’s initiatives with regard to International Non-violence Day on October 2, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and International Yoga Day on June 21, 2026. My letter of April 21, 2026 to 20 Ambassadors under intimation to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Principal Secretary to PM, Shri P.K. Mishra may be seen below.
Text of the Letter
dated April 21, 2026 to 20 Heads of Indian Diplomatic Missions
April 21, 2026
Your Excellency,
I am one of your retired colleagues
of 1984 (YOA) now settled in Jalandhar, my home town. The birthday celebrations
of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar on April 14 by all the diplomatic missions of India
have prompted me to write this to some of my colleagues in the IFS fraternity.
Kindly excuse my indulgence. You may know that such structured celebrations
pertaining to Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India in the
contemporary times happened for the second time. It was first done in April,
2016, at the solemn occasion of 125th birth anniversary of the icon.
You may or may not be knowing that
in the run up to the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar,
I made a proposal in June, 2015 to the then EAM Sushma Swaraj to declare April
14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the
aegis of the UN. Since then the proposal is resting with the GOI – MEA/PMO. The
Forum of SC Parliamentarians, on my submission, took the matter to PM Narendra
Modi in November, 2015 in a Memorandum. I have been reminding MEA, PMO and
other concerned regularly since then by way of blogs, social media and direct
communications. My last blog on the subject would provide you some details of
the proposal which may be excessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/04/babasaheb-ambedkar-declare-his-birthday.html
You must have read in the media
that after many cities, provinces in the USA, Canada, the UK and many others,
Canada has declared April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality this year by
an proclamation in this regard. But GOI is sitting tight on the subject which
is not understandable. I thought of sharing with Your Excellency with a view to
solicit your kind understanding, consideration and all due support to the
proposal on International Day of Equality. It will not only honour Babasaheb
Ambedkar but also carry forward and strengthen India’s Soft and Cultural
Diplomacy.
I am confident, my respected and
dear friends, you would kindly consider and lend your due and appropriate
support to my submissions. I count on you.
With regards,
Yours truly,
(Ramesh Chander)
His Excellency P. Harish,
PR of India to the UN,
New York (USA)
Sent Separately to –
1. Ambassador
of India to the USA
2. Ambassador
of India to Canada
3. High
Commissioner of India to the UK
4. Ambassador
of India to Germany
5. Ambassador
of India to Austria
6. High
Commissioner of India to Australia
7. Ambassador
India to Italy
8. Ambassador
of India to Sweden
9. High
Commission of India to New Zealand
10.
Ambassador of India to Japan
11.
Ambassador of India to Netherland
12.
Ambassador of India to UAE
13.
Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia
14.
Ambassador of India to Bahrain
15.
Ambassador India to Qatar
16.
Ambassador of India to France
17.
Ambassador of India to South Africa
18.
Ambassador of India to Brazil
19.
Ambassador of India to Nigeria
Copy to –
1. EAM Dr. S.
Jaishankar
2. Principal
Secretary to PM, P.K. Mishra
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