Growing International Recognition of Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Growing International Recognition of Babasaheb Ambedkar

In the run up to the forthcoming birth anniversary of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar on April 14, international recognition of the greatest son of India is growing by the every passing year. It is a matter of great satisfaction to the followers of millions and millions of followers of the icon, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, both in India and abroad and the international community at large yearning for the equitable world order. The latest in the series is a happy development – Province of British Columbia of Canada in a proclamation on April 1, 2021 has declared April 14 as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality. The timely gesture of an important province of Canada has been much appreciated and rightly so. The Administration of British Columbia

Province of Canada under the stewardship of Lt. Governor Janet Austin deserves full marks and hearty congratulations on upholding the lofty ideals of “equality and fraternity” in the multi-racial and multicultural society of British Columbia and Canada. It is a matter of gratification to add that last year in April, 2020 yet another city of Burnaby of Canada took the lead in honouring the champion of equality, fraternity and liberty, Babasaheb Ambedkar. In this regard, it may not of out of place to thank and congratulate our friends in Chetna Association of Canada namely Jai Birdi, Harmesh Chander, Manjit Bains, Surjit Bains among others for their untiring efforts in promoting the idea and proposal of April 14 as International Day of Equality currently lying with the Government of India since June, 2015. It is a matter of satisfaction for me, as the Chair person of the Chetna Association’s Committee on International Day of Equality, to see the proposal being accepted in foreign lands while my own government back home in India is still sitting tight. Let it be but we have resolved to keep the ball rolling. Ambedkar is such a potent force in himself that cannot be ignored for long.

After the Burnaby Proclamation last year, I wrote and reminded EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar on April 15 followed by a reminder on September 13. I also tried to engage other stakeholders in this regard both in India and abroad. The result is the latest development in

British Columbia, yet another milestone in our journey to realize our goal – April 14 as International Day of Equality. I have written yet another letter to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar on April 1, 2021 (Text appended below) under intimation to PM Narendra Modi and important Ministers and MPs belonging to the ruling dispensation in New Delhi namely; Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, MOS Som Parkash, MOS Ramdass Athawale, MOS Rattan Lal Kataria and MPs Hans Raj Hans, Ram Shankar Katheria, Sunita Duggal, Dushyant Gautam and also Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes Vijay Sampla with the hope that they would stand up and pay attention to this important proposal on International Day of Equality. It goes without saying that it will add to India’s international standing as ‘Soft Power’ as International Day of Yoga and International Day of Non-violence did in the recent past besides contributing to millennium goals of the UN in establishing  a just and equitable world order. It will be much appreciated if the

Function at UN  in New York in April, 2016

government of India understands the importance of the proposal, the sooner the better. The followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar both in India and abroad are fully alive and awakened to the situation and fully determined to carry forward the mission and philosophy of their icon Babasaheb to further heights for the benefit and advantage of our beloved India and the international community at large.

Appendix

Text of the letter dated April 1, 2021 to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar:

April 1, 2021

 

 

Respected Sir,

 

Kindly allow me to revisit the subject of April 14, birth anniversary of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar, as the International Day of Equality. I wrote to you on the proposal in this regard, resting with MEA since June, 2015, vide my letters dated April 15 and Setember 13, 2020 (Copies enclosed for ready reference) but till date no decision appears to be in sight. The next anniversary of the great leader will be celebrated in the coming days and I thought of reminding you and soliciting your kind attention and support to the proposal on International Day of Equality.

 

Meanwhile, I am confident, Sir, April 14 will be observed and celebrated appropriately with a befitting function at the UN in New York, as usual since April, 2016 when GOI, and rightly so, decided to observe 125^th anniversary of one of the greatest sons of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

 

You are fully aware, Sir, if this proposal is accepted and taken up at the UN, it will not only provide a sense of recognition to the cause dear to the weaker sections of the society in India but also add to the stature of India’s international standing as did by International Day of Non-Violence and International Yoga Day.

 

Kindly look into this and take appropriate action which will be appreciated by millions and millions followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar in India and abroad and also the international community yearning for ‘Equality’.

 

With personal regards,

Yours truly,

 

(Ramesh Chander)

 

Dr. S. Jaishanker,

Minister of External Affairs,

South Block, New Delhi