Contribution of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar to Nation Building and Women Empowerment

 

Contribution of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar to Nation Building and Women Empowerment

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Samaj Sewak Trust of Hisar is bringing out a Souvenir to commemorate the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times. It is gratifying to note that the souvenir is dedicated to the theme ‘Contribution of Babasaheb Ambedkar

to nation building and women empowerment. It is an important subject about which our younger generations must be made aware and educated in the larger interest of the country and society. I appreciate and congratulate the Trust for taking the initiative in this regard. Moreover, it will also serve as a befitting tribute to the memory of the great leader, Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Babasaheb Ambedkar was a nationalist of the highest order who always believed in the dictum of ‘India first and India last’. He was a visionary leader. During the freedom struggle, he engaged himself in the nation building by addressing the socio-economic problems of the weaker sections of the society while working and interacting with the British rulers of the time both by way of his intellectual and academic prowess and also in his capacity as a senior functionary in the government side by side of the freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and others. As a profound economist, Dr. Ambedkar was a great economic planner and thinker. As such he contributed immensely to economic edifice of the country namely; Reserve Bank of India, big hydro projects like Damodar Valley, Labour laws to bring about social security elements in labour policies among others even before our independence in 1947. Babasaheb’s biggest contribution towards nation building was his brilliant role and contribution in making the Constitution of India. He is rightly remembered as ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’.

Coming to Dr. Ambedkar’s contribution in emancipation and empowerment of women, it is huge contribution which he made not only through the relevant provisions in the Constitution of India – voting rights through universal franchise, equality before law irrespective of gender etc. Even before the new constitution, Babasaheb as Executive Member of the Viceroy’s Council dealing with Labour, made provisions of maternity leave, regulated working hours, women not going down the coal mines etc. to safeguard the interests of women. In providing equal status to women, Babasaheb Ambedkar faced considerable difficulties and challenges from the Hindu or even Sikh orthodoxy. PM Jawaharlal Nehru though promised all support yet he could not defy the hardcore orthodoxy and shelved the Hindu Code Bill proposed by Babasaheb Ambedkar in the early years of 1950’s to reform the society and finish the uncalled for discrimination against women in the social order of India. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a man of conviction and dignity. He resigned from the Cabinet of PM Nehru and registered his protest for ignoring the rights of women. These efforts of Dr. Ambedkar resulted in the current rightful space and share of women of India in the polity and economy of India and the society at large.

I thought of sharing some of my, of the cuff, thoughts on the subject. With this, I conclude with all best wishes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Samaj Sewak Trust in their worhy efforts to take the ‘Caravan’ of the thought and legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

 

My forthcoming book – Bootan Mandi: Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna

 

My forthcoming book – Bootan Mandi: Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna

It is a sort of ‘curtain raiser’ for my forthcoming book – Bootan Mandi: Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna. The book, in commemoration of the centenary year of Bootan Mandi, my native place, is likely to be launched in the second half of April, 2024 in Jalandhar. The

Foreword of the book has been written by Dr. Gian Chand Kaul, an eminent academician and ardent community activists. It has been dedicated to the Fore-fathers of Bootan Mandi: “ Respectfully dedicated to the memory of BootanMandian front runners, Seth Kishan Dass, Seth Khushi Ram, Seth Munshi Ram, Swami Lalji Dass. Bibi Malavi among others who led the ‘Caravan’ and made Bootan Mandi the “Nerve Center of Dalit Consciousness” in Punjab and beyond. Naman to the fore-fathers of my Native Place – Bootan Mandi.”

  The book has been divided into three parts – Part 1 contains articles/poems of some of my fellow BootanMandians like Paramjit Mahey, Harmesh Jassal, Mahesh Chander, Madan Bolina and Khuswinder Billa under the banner: From the Pens of the Sons of the Soil. Part 2 hosts the author’s 51 blogs written over the recent years on varied subjects and themes concerning Bootan Mandi and related

events/matters under the heading; The Bits and pieces. Part 3 under the caption: Editor’s Pick consists of poems on Bootan Mandi like ‘Bootan Mandi the Ameer Itihas’ by Parshotam Saroya, poems od Pritam Ramdasspuri and Gurdas Ram Alam which they recited in October, 1951 on the visit of Babasaheb Ambedkar to Bootan Mandi and poems of Jai Ram Parwana, a native unsung talent. I was impressed by the poem of Charan Dass Nidhadak in my younger days and included it in the pick - Jhanda chuk bagabat da tun baghi hons das gya. It also carries an article by Dr. Sarvpriya on the poem of Gurdas Ram Alam ‘Acchoot Da Iilaz’ and also the speech of Babasaheb Ambedkar which he delivered at Bootan Mandi on October 27, 1951.

This curtain raiser for the formal launch of the Bootan Mandi: Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna will not be complete if I don’t mention about the support of my friends and well support of – Prem Chumber of the Ambedkar Times and the Desh Doaba as media partners and my

some of my fellow BootanMandians namely; Sheela Bhatia, Gurdial Mahey and Ram Murti who encouraged me to pursue my intellectual and community interests. I thank Baldev Bhardwaj of Ambedkar Bhawan Trust who helped in picking up the printer of the book’ Neha Computers and Printers who did a good job,I understand. As it is written in the Prologue of the book, “ The proof of pudding, it is said, lies in its eating. I hope my fellow BootanMandians would appreciate my humble contribution to the said centenary celebrations. As a student of contemporary history, I would love to listen from the readers of the book with a view to further educate myself.”

 ” I leave it here for the readers to decide.

ਮਾਲੀ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ ਪਾਣੀ ਲਾਉਣਾ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਭਰ ਭਰ ਮਸ਼ਕਾਂ ਲਾਵੇ  

ਮਾਲਿਕ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ  ਫਲ ਫੁਲ ਲਾਉਣਾ ਤੇ ਲਾਵੇ ਯਾਂ ਨਾ ਲਾਵੇ  1

It is time to remind – International Day of Equality

 

It is time to remind – International Day of Equality

I wrote on the proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality in my blog on

September 11, 2023 which may be accessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/09/rising-profile-of-bharat-international.html

Nothing much has happened since then and we stand there; where we were with regard to the proposal on International Day of Equality. From day one since June, 2015 when the proposal was made to the EAM Sushma Swaraj, I have tried my every best to avoid becoming this initiative political and partisan as Babasaheb Ambedkar is a national icon, one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times. His thought and legacy with regard to equality and fraternity not only in India but the world at large is well respected and recognized in the civilizes societies conforming to the objectives of the UN to bring about a ‘just and equitable world order’.  India is fully committed to these lofty ideals. As such, the proposal on International Day of Equality fully fits in the policy framework of India’s ‘soft and cultural diplomacy’, I believe. It is time for the Government of India to revisit the subject and take an early decision to make a demarche and bring the proposal on the High Table of the UN.

Of late, some of the young politicians and social activists have started taking note of the proposal on International Day of Equality and rightly so though the main stream political parties are still are blissfully ignorant and sitting tight. GOI is absolutely, tight lipped in spite of the fact they don’t leave any opportunity to own Babasaheb Ambedkar for their own motivated agendas. One of my latest

facebook posts of mine would tend to provide the flavor of the changing mood of the public in this regard and here I quote, “Thanks Hon'ble MP Sushil Rinku ji for extending your unconditional and unreserved whole hearted support to the Proposal on declaring April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as the International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. The proposal is resting with the GOI since June, 2015.

You have been mentioning about the proposal at various public occasions which I appreciated very much. But of late you have given it a new dimension by saying that the proposal should become a mass movement by bring it to the public domain by the politicians and followers of Babasaheb. I recall that you expressed yourself fully on November 14, 2023 while releasing my book "Some Random Thoughts on Babasaheb Ambedkar and His Legacy and again asserted it on our Langer Podium of on the Shoba Yatra on February 23 at Jalandhar. It clearly shows that your unstinted and unqualified support and dedication to carry forward the proposal.

I take this opportunity to thank you for this principled approach. I only wish other leaders, irrespective of party affiliations, do the same.”

 

Yes, I think that the time has come to take the proposal on the Day of Equality to the public domain in a vigorous way. The young politico and social activists should take the lead and make it a ‘public movement’. No one should be allowed to exploit and use the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar for their selfish agendas and do nothing to give and get a due share to the greatest son of India in the scheme of the things to come.

While I remind the GOI to revisit the proposal and take it to the UN through diplomatic channels before April 14, 2024 before, to my mind, people get concerned and restive on the studied silence of the ruling elite.

 

 

The Gift of Blood – The Gift of Life

 

The Gift of Blood – The Gift of Life

On February 18, it was my pleasure to formally open the Annual Blood Donation Camp of BJD Sarbat Da Bhala Trust at Adampur in Jalandhar.  The Trust has been named after Baba Jawahar Dass, a visionary saint of the Adampur Doab region who dedicated his life to
providing water not only to the needy human beings but also to animals as narrated by Chief of BJD Sarbat Da Bhala Trust, Sardar Parvinder Singh and others. The Trust organizes several such blood donation events apart from the annual camp in February evey successive years for over a decade. The blood donation camp was dedicated to the memory of Taranjit Singh, a young life which snatched by the destiny in a road accident in New Zealand some years ago. The Trust was made by the father of Taranjit Singh, Sardar Mandeep Singh in cooperation with their friends and comrades of the area with a view to help the needy; particularly the weaker sections of the society, with free or affordable health services including Ambulence to ferry the patients. The blood donation camp was orgnised with the help and cooperation of R.S. Gandhi Helping Hand Hospital. It was all the more gratifying to know from Sardar Parminder Singh that their focus to provide blood

remained on the children suffering from Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder among children. In this regard, they provide blood to blood banks with Civil Hospital and Bhai Ghanaiya Blood Bank in Hoshiarpur and also Trishana Sharma of Jalandhar.  Apart from this blood donation activity, BJD Sarbat Da Bhala Trust also provide free ration to poor and needy in the area.

I was impressed by their yeoman’s service to the community. Parminder Singh told me that they will be happy to host a Dialysis Centre in Adampur for the poor and needy with the help of volunteer donations and with the possible sponsorship of some government agency. I wished them all the best appreciated their approach and mission as:

Don’t just be A – Negative; Strive to be O – Positive.

Bootan Mandi – The Flag-bearer of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Bootan Mandi – The Flag-bearer of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Bootan Mandi and its peripheral localities in Jalandhar right from the Ambedkar Chowk to Satguru Kabir Chowk (Wadala Chowk) on Ambedkar Marg (Nakodar Road) have, and rightly s, become the unnamed memorials and landmarks to register and carry forward the lofty ideals and thoughts of the great revolutionary Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times. Though I have written much about these matters in my blogs over the years yet I thought of broaching the subject once again in view of the forthcoming Guru Ravidass Gurpurab on February 24 and Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Jyanti on April 14. About this 2 kilometer patch of Ambedkar Marg will become a hub of celebrations and public events which have increasingly attained a definite place on the calendar of Jalandhar city. This patch of the Jalandhar-Nakodar Highway hosts – Ambedkar Chowk,

Ambedkar Bhawan, Guru Ravidass Chowk, Guru Ravidass Dham, Ambedkar Park, Ambedkr Community Centre, Budh Vihar, Guru Ravidass Mandir, Ambedkar College and Satguru Kabir Chowk which make the site a mosaic of lofty ideals of ‘equality and fraternity’ propounded  and preached by Guru Ravidass and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. One can easily make out the importance and dignity of the place, Bootan Mandi and its periphery. I am happy to announce that my forthcoming book ‘Bootan Mandi – The Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna, which is under print, is scheduled to be released in mid-April, 2024 which would provide more details as an ‘oral history’.

Guru Ravidass Dham at Bootan Mandi has already been decked as a bride and solacing spirit of Guru Ravidass’s Vani has filled the air in the run up the Gurpurab – Shobha Yatra on February 23 and Kirtan Darbar/Sangeet and Musical Darbar on February 24 are much awaited events by the followers of Guru Ravidass and the sprawling Mela by the public. Ambedkar Park at Bootan Mandi is yet another land mark which is the news. The park was thoughtfully planned and made by the then Mayor of Jalandhar in early 2010s, Surinder Mahey, a worthy son of the soil. Over the years, partially through the normal wear and tear and partially by sheer neglect by the municipal authorities, the Park required urgent and immediate renovation. Some activists and residents of Bootan Mandi on the initiative and lead of AAP activist Paramjit Mahey, Joint Secretary of the Intellectual Wing of AAP took up the matter with Minister Balkar Singh and convinced him to undertake the job of renovation and up-gradation of Ambedkar Park on priority basis. It is gratifying to note that they succeeded and on the advice and direction of the Hon’ble Minister Balkar Singh, Municipal authorities prepared a renovation project at the cost of Rs.1.15 crore and the formal formal go-ahead was given by the Minister on February 18 at a befitting but a solemn function at the park itself in the presence of Hon’ble MP, Sushil

Rinku and Hon’ble MLA, Sheetal Angural. While appreciating the initiative and efforts of Paramjit Mahey in this regard, Minister Balkar Singh said that Ambedkar Park, in accordance with the high stature of Babasaheb Ambedkar, will be one of the best parks in Jalandhar. Thanking the Hon’ble Minister, MP and MLA and also the top hierarchy of Punjab AAP including; Rajwinder Kaur. Surinder Singh Sodhi, Amritpal Singh spontaneously gathered audience, Paramjit Mahey said that we should not forget that whatever high positions and all round prosperity in the community we all were enjoying was due to our savior, Babasaheb Ambedkar alone. He also mentioned about Ambedkar Government College which was located in front of the Park across the road was the result of long struggle of the young activists of Bootan Mandi along with their supporters and also unstinted efforts of MP Sushil Rinku, a fully devoted young leader of the community.

With this off the cuff narration, I take the opportunity to greet you all on the Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass and Naman to Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Bootan Mandi – The Flag-bearer of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Bootan Mandi – The Flag-bearer of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Bootan Mandi and its peripheral localities in Jalandhar right from the Ambedkar Chowk to Satguru Kabir Chowk (Wadala Chowk) on Ambedkar Marg (Nakodar Road) have, and rightly s, become the unnamed memorials and landmarks to register and carry forward the lofty ideals and thoughts of the great revolutionary Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times. Though I have written much about these matters in my blogs over the years yet I thought of broaching the subject once again in view of the forthcoming Guru Ravidass Gurpurab on February 24 and Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Jyanti on April 14. About this 2 kilometer patch of Ambedkar Marg will become a hub of celebrations and public events which have increasingly attained a definite place on the calendar of Jalandhar city. This patch of the Jalandhar-Nakodar Highway hosts – Ambedkar Chowk, Ambedkar Bhawan, Guru Ravidass Chowk, Guru Ravidass Dham, Ambedkar Park, Ambedkr Community Centre, Budh Vihar, Guru Ravidass Mandir, Ambedkar College and Satguru Kabir Chowk

which make the site a mosaic of lofty ideals of ‘equality and fraternity’ propounded  and preached by Guru Ravidass and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. One can easily make out the importance and dignity of the place, Bootan Mandi and its periphery. I am happy to announce that my forthcoming book ‘Bootan Mandi – The Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna, which is under print, is scheduled to be released in mid-April, 2024 which would provide more details as an ‘oral history’.

Guru Ravidass Dham at Bootan Mandi has already been decked as a bride and solacing spirit of Guru Ravidass’s Vani has filled the air in the run up the Gurpurab – Shobha Yatra on February 23 and Kirtan Darbar/Sangeet and Musical Darbar on February 24 are much awaited events by the followers of Guru Ravidass and the sprawling Mela by the public. Ambedkar Park at Bootan Mandi is yet another land mark which is the news. The park was thoughtfully planned and made by the then Mayor of Jalandhar in early 2010s, Surinder Mahey, a worthy son of the soil. Over the years, partially through the normal wear and tear and partially by sheer neglect by the municipal authorities, the Park required urgent and immediate renovation. Some activists and residents of Bootan Mandi on the initiative and lead of AAP activist Paramjit Mahey, Joint Secretary of the Intellectual Wing of AAP took up the matter with Minister Balkar Singh and convinced him to undertake the job of renovation and up-gradation of Ambedkar Park on priority basis. It is gratifying to note that they succeeded and on the advice and direction of the Hon’ble Minister Balkar Singh, Municipal authorities prepared a renovation project at the cost of Rs.1.15 crore and the formal formal go-ahead was given by the Minister on February 18 at a befitting but a solemn function at the park itself in the presence of Hon’ble MP, Sushil Rinku and Hon’ble MLA, Sheetal Angural. While appreciating the initiative and efforts of Paramjit Mahey in this regard, Minister Balkar Singh said that

Ambedkar Park, in accordance with the high stature of Babasaheb Ambedkar, will be one of the best parks in Jalandhar. Thanking the Hon’ble Minister, MP and MLA and also the top hierarchy of Punjab AAP including; Rajwinder Kaur. Surinder Singh Sodhi, Amritpal Singh spontaneously gathered audience, Paramjit Mahey said that we should not forget that whatever high positions and all round prosperity in the community we all were enjoying was due to our savior, Babasaheb Ambedkar alone. He also mentioned about Ambedkar Government College which was located in front of the Park across the road was the result of long struggle of the young activists of Bootan Mandi along with their supporters and also unstinted efforts of MP Sushil Rinku, a fully devoted young leader of the community.

With this off the cuff narration, I take the opportunity to greet you all on the Gurpurab of Guru Ravidass and Naman to Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Pran Pratishta Samroh – Consecration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya

 

Pran Pratishta Samroh – Consecration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya

I wrote about the Ram Janam Bhoomi Mandir at Ayodhya on August 7, 2020 on its Bhoomi Pujan (ground breaking ceremony) by PM Narendra Modi and wished that Let us hope that the Ram Mandir becomes an abode of Peace. The blog may be accessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2020/08/ram-janambhoomi-mandir-at-ayodhya-let.html

I was invited to the Pran Pratishta Samroh of Shri Ram Dham at Ayodhya on January 22, 2023 as a ‘Distinguished Guest – Vashist Mahnibhav’ by the organizers of this grand event in the

contemporary times. I humbly accepted the invitation (Apoorav Anadik Nimantran) and was all set to enjoy and avail of this great honour. But it was not to be as I could not finally make it due to the vagaries of weather. I would have been a good experience to be an eye witness to the ‘history in making’. It would remain a matter of regret and remorse for me.

The wheel of ‘tryst with divinity’ has come full circle. Bhagwan Ram ‘the Imame Hind’ as termed by Allama Iqbal has been enshrined in his destined abode, a magnificent temple at Ayodhaya. It must settle the heat and dust raised by avoidable acrimonious socio-cultural, historical and legal contentions of the varying factions. PM Narendra Modi after the Pran Pratiksha ceremony said in his address to the august congregation, “marker of a new era” and a “symbol of

Indian society’s patience, harmony and resilience”. He also linked the Temple with national transformation and added, “We have to vow to build Samarth (capable), Saksham (able), Bhavya (grand) and Divya (divine) Bharat.  RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat said that it was time to bury the bitter past and termed the Pran Pratishta event in an article as the beginning of a campaign to reconstruct “Bharatvarsh”, which is for harmony, peace and wellbeing of all. The Hindustan Times in its Editorial on January 23 rightly commented, “Invoking faith for national rejuvenation, however, could be a slippery slope. The nation’s charioteers on this

journey have to be firm in being fair and just to all citizens and keep unruly elements in check. The Republic’s founding document, the Constitution, should be the guiding light as the nation enters an unchartered geography.” I tend to agree with these observations. The lofty messages given by the PM Narendra Modi and Sarsanghchalak of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat should be viewed through the constitutional framework of India. With this, India would remain on rails to find its due space and share, in due course, as a democratic and civilized nation and the society large.

I have no reason not to believe what right-wing Hindu outfits like BJP and its affiliates and also their mentor RSS say about development of India as ‘Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Visvash’ by way of inclusive growth. But they must understand, sooner the better, it cannot happen if we fail to retain and strengthen the inherent character of India as a ‘multi-cultural, multi faith, multi-lingual and a diverse’ society and also a ‘democratic and secular’ polity as enshrined in the constitution by our forefathers. I am a firm believer of an integrated and cohesive society and as such I fully support and endorse the RSS’s agenda of ‘Samrasta’ as there is no

other way.  We need to address and minimize the ‘trust deficit’ among the majority and minority communities on one hand and dalits and other socially weaker segments of the society on the other. Some of my friends, who do not approve of my supporting the Samrasta plank of RSS and accepting the invitation to the Pran Pratishta Samaroh, has shared with me a story which was getting viral in the social media about refusal to accept donations by the dalit community of a village, not far away from Ayodhya, for the Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple as it would desecrate the temple. This is how the so called high caste Hindus tend to treat dalit communities even after 75 years of India becoming a Republic. The lofty ideas of establishing a casteless society seems a far fetched reality. We need to answer and rectify the situation otherwise the suffering masses would not believe in allegedly ‘camouflaged agendas’. I am proud of India that is Bharat –

चिश्ती ने जिस जमीन पर पैगामे हक़ सुनाया;

नानक ने जिस  चमन में बेहदत का गीत गया

मेरा वतन वही है, मेरा वतन वही है