In the line of duty – Paying back to the society

 

In the line of duty – Paying back to the society

I am a retired diplomat, back to my roots in Jalandhar after a long 40 years of service. The purpose of my coming back to Jalandhar was to engage myself with the community and the society at large with a sense of ‘paying back’ to the society in a humble way. I engaged

myself in educational and socio-cultural consultative pursuits in helping the common man in their day to day difficulties or work with government and non-government agencies particularly pertaining to the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Diplomatic Missions abroad. I have a feeling of satisfaction that I could do my humble bit in this regard over the years. I must thank my junior and senior colleagues in the IFS fraternity and my friends otherwise who always extended a helping hand and listened to my, off and on, requests and submissions. I am confident that we would continue, in the line of duty, to mutual satisfaction in the days to come. INSHALLA.

In this process, I would like to mention two of my latest initiatives which I have taken to pay my debt of gratitude to the persons who did a lot for the community towards empowerment of the weaker sections of the society:

1.   Recognition and honour to Babu Manguram Mugowalia and Gurdas Ram Alam – I wrote to Hon’ble Minister of Education of Punjab, Sardar Pargat Singh to honour the two important icons of dalit communities, both greatest sons of Punjab, by naming

school/college in their respective native places in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar. My letter dated October 18 is appended below for information and perusal. Babu Manguram Mugowalia, a Ghadrite Baba and founder of the Ad-dharam Movement was a leader by his own right. He stood and fought against social

Gurdas Ram Alam

discrimination against dalits and sought ‘distinct identity’ for dalits as ‘Ad-dharmis’ (Moolniwasis) and also supported Babasaheb Ambedkar in his crusade in the Round Table Conferences for gaining due space in the political and socio-economic structures for the depressed and deprived people of India. Babu Manguram Mugowalia fully deserved greater recognition which did not happen. Let us hope the present dispensation in Punjab with well-meaning Ministers like Sardar Pargat Singh under the leadership of CM Sardar Charanjit Channi would listen to the public sentiments in this regard. Similarly, in the case of Gurdas Ram Alam, a people’s poet of the region certainly very much deserved greater recognition as a worthy son of the soil. Alam Sahib’s poetry revolves around life of a common man living in penury and social neglect. The beauty of his poetry lied in the fact, to my mind, that Alam Sahib said and explained high flown political dictums of the likes of Karl Marx in such a simple way which people could understand -  “Asin Vit To Baddu Deende Han; Sannu Lod Mutavik Milda Nahin” – it is the Punjabi version of Karl Marx’s famous dictum - “To each according to his need; From each according to his capacity”. Let us honour and recognize Alam Sahib and give his due before it is too late.

2.   Due and much needed support to Dalit Media – There is a saying in Punjabi – “Ganji Ne Naona Ki Te Nichodna Ki” (A bald person not to worry about washing his or her head as there is nothing or no hairs to dry). There is hardly any dalit media as such and dalits are conspicuously absent from the mainstream national media in India. The dalit voices, as usual, go unheard which is a negation of democracy which we boast of rightly or wrongly. Over the last decade or so, I have come across two media organs – The Desh Doaba, a Punjabi Weekly and The Ambedkar Times, an English

Weekly being published from California in the USA. The Editor-in-Chief of these mouth-pieces of the weaker sections of the society conforming to the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Babu Manguram Mugowalia, Manyawar Kanshi Ram among others and also the flag bearer of the lofty ideals of Guru Ravidass and the great Sikh Gurus, Prem Chumber is the scion of the famous Chumber family of Jalandhar. His elder brother, Late C.L. Chumber, a community activist was an associate of Manayawar Kanshi Ram who launched

With CL Chumber releasing the Quomi Uddarian

and run “Qoumi Uddarian” in 1980s in Jalandhar. It is a matter of satisfaction that both the Desh Doaba and the Ambedkar Times, in the face of all odds, could stand up and got accepted by the Indian Diasporas in the Americas and beyond and also in India as secular and free & fair rag-tags without any governmental or administrative support. With a view to support these dalit media mouth-pieces, I wrote a letter to Hon’ble CM of Punjab, Sardar Charanjit Singh Channi for listing these publications for the Punjab Government advertisements not as a special favour but along with others as and when any occasion arises. Unfortunately, till now no government thought of doing this which may be seen as discriminatory. Let us hope someone listens to these submissions with an open mind. My letter dated October 18, 2021 to Hon’ble CM Charanjit Channi may be seen at Appendix -2.

My immediate motivation to write and take these initiatives was informal and friendly suggestions made by one of my close friend, Prof. Ronki Ram of Punjab University, a renowned commentator on

Dr. Ronki Ram

political and socio-cultural issues pertaining to dalit communities of Punjab. I take this opportunity to request and urge Prof. Ronki Ram ji and some of my friends who always tend to speak candidly on matters of concern and interest to the community to kindly endorse and support these submissions to honour two of our contemporary icons, Babu Manguram Mugowalia and Gurdas Ram Alam.

 

3.   April 14, birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality – I have been writing about the proposed International Day of Equality repeatedly in my blogs. This initiative is still to see light of the day. PM Narendra Modi’s government is blissfully silent on the issue. The SC Members of

Parliament and Ministers are behaving as if they did not hear of Ambedkar though in the run up to grabbing important positions they always claimed that they were the flag-holder of Ambedkar and his legacy. It is a matter of regret. I have no doubt in my mind that Ambedkar himself is such a potent force that the proposal on International Day of Equality will surge on its own sooner than later. Nevertheless, we would do our best to awake the sleeping decision makers from their slumber and honour the greatest son of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar.

 

अकेले ही चले थे जानिबे मंजिल;

लोग साथ आते गए और कारवां बनता गया।

Appendix - 1 

  

October 18, 2021

Dear Minister Sardar Pargat Singh ji,

I am writing this on a matter of public interest and importance pertaining to Departments of Education under your charge.

You may be knowing about two important and renowned personalities of Punjab – i) Babu Manguram Mugowalia (1886-1980) of Village Mugowal in Garhshankar in the district of Hoshiarpur, a Ghadrite Baba and Founder of Ad-Dharam Movement in the mid-1920s and ii) Gurdas Ram Alam (1912-1989) of Village Bundala (near Gorayan) in district of Jalandhar, a literary personality and a poet of standing and also a social activist. Both these personalities are the icons of dalit communities on not only Punjab but also India and beyond. There is a lingering feeling in the community that these sons of the soil have not been given their due by the ruling dispensations so far. May be the time has come to consider and honour Babu Manguram Mugowalia and Gurdasram Alam Sahib. My proposal in this regard is that schools/colleges in and around their respective villages may be named after them to recognize their contribution to the society. It will be a befitting gesture which would also send a right and positive message to the younger generations of their respective areas under your guidance and stewardship as the Hon’ble Minister of Education of Punjab. More information on these great sons of Punjab, if required, may be provided for your kind perusal.

I am confident, Sir, my humble submissions in this regard will find due and fair consideration.

With personal regards,

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Sardar Pargat Singh,

Minister of Education, Sports and NRI Affairs,

Chandigarh

Copy to: Shri Krishan Kumar, Secretary, Departments of Higher Education, Sports and NRI Affairs, Chandigarh

Appendix - 2

 

October 18, 2021

Respected Chief Minister Sir,

I am writing this on an issue of public interest and concern for your information and consideration as the Minister for Information and Public Relations also. You are fully aware, Sir, that media is an important organ of a democratic polity. Unfortunately, due to obvious reasons of caste based discriminations and economic deprivations which require no elaboration, dalits could not get due share in the media setup of the country. It also goes without saying that in the absence of media organs, the concerns and interests of the community are generally ignored or sidelined.

With this brief background of which you are well aware, I venture to request you some help by way of official advertisements to two of the established media organs of the community – The Desh Doaba Weekly in Punjabi and the Ambedkar Times Weekly in English being published by Editor-in-Chief Prem Chumber from California in the USA for the last more than a decade. It is a matter of satisfaction that intellectuals like Prof Ronki Ram of Punjab University Chandigarh, your alma mater, are helping Prem Chumber both formally and informally to carry forward the caravan of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Babu Mangoo Ram Mugowalia, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Babu Kanshi Ram and also Guru Ravidass, Satguru Kabir and the great Sikh Gurus to bring about much needed harmony in the society. I am told that in the past Punjab Government had been giving advertisements to some other publications abroad but not to the Desh Doaba and the Ambedkar Times. More details on these esteemed media organs managed and run by Prem Chumber Sahib, a dedicated professional, may be obtained from their respective websites: www.deshdoaba.com and www.ambedkartimes.com

I am also endorsing copies of this letter to Chief Editor Prem Chumber and Prof Ronki Ram for information and pursuance, if required.

 

 

They may also get in touch with your high office. I am confident, Sir, that my submissions will be considered in a positive light and your much needed support will be forthcoming. We count on you. With a view to introduce myself, I am attaching herewith my brief profile for your perusal.

With personal regards.

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Sardar Charanjit Singh Channi,

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab

Chandigarh

 

Copy to:

i)                   Shri Hussan Lal, IAS, Principal Secretary to Hon’ble CM

ii)                 Prof. Ronki Ram, Punjab University, Chandigarh

iii)               Chief Editor Prem Chumber

 

Silent Burial of Affirmative Action – Reservation for Scheduled Castes

 

Silent Burial of Affirmative Action – Reservation for Scheduled Castes

It seems the ruling outfits of the day have decided consciously and rather willfully to give a silent burial to the affirmative measures – reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and also for

the OBCs thoughtfully stipulated and enshrined in the constitution of India by our fore-fathers led by Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of the Constitution. It is a matter of concern and worry. The concerned and affected people are watching it carefully and would tend to react and respond appropriately to check this fraud on the constitution and the social edifice of the society at large. The sooner it is realized the better it would be before it gets too late. The affirmative measures like reservations, of course, are temporary measures and would slowly go away with socio-economic development and progress of the beneficiaries that is SCs, STs and OBCs. The churning process to address the issue, involving the judiciary, executive, legislature, media and the civil society, is underway and would certainly result in amicable and just solution under our democratic polity though the main stream of the society is still lagging behind to understand the challenge and come out with a just and acceptable response. Duplicity of thinking and conduct in this regard, on the part of the currently governing outfits and social setups, is writ large with a wide gap in public pronouncements and equally opposite conduct on ground to address the issues. All the political parties are falling on each other to own the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Babu Kanshi Ram with an eye on the ‘vote bank’ of dalit communities and as such no one has the guts to oppose the reservation provisions for SC, STs and OBCs openly but on the other hand they are determined to abolish the reservations by administrative fraud and treachery with total disregard to the constitutional provisions and social needs to establish a casteless society and just social order. Obviously, the underlying current in the

affected communities i.e. Bahujan Samaj is of restlessness which is dangerous for the national unity and integrity. Our political and social leadership would ignore these ground realities at their own peril. The ground situation does not justify what PM Narendra Modi says, “Dalit reservation quota never suffered a scratch, yet lies are being spread to mislead people”

My immediate provocation to write this piece is the recruitment of 31 senior officers from the PSU’s etc. of the rank of Joint Secretary. Director and Deputy Secretary setting aside the laid down procedure to recruit through the Combined Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC as stipulated in the law and the relevant rules and regulations. This so-called lateral entry in the name of merit and specialization does not conform to the ‘affirmative measures’ of reservation for the socially weaker sections of the society namely SCs, STs and OBCs. It is a sheer, to my mind, fraud on the people. While the marginalized segments of the society demand reservation in the private sector, the administration is taking away the reservation provisions by recruiting to the senior echelons of the bureaucracy from the PSUs and private sector. How many SCs/STs/OBCs could make it to this famous lateral entry? I think not a single one. If it is not a fraud on the constitution and the people, then what is it? Can somebody explain?

Lateral entry means when personnel from the private sector are selected to an administrative post of the government without going through the normal procedure and recruitment norms which entail reservations as provided in the law. Obviously, it negates the provisions made for affirmative action to undo the injustice and discrimination meted out to the socially weaker sections of the society for centuries.

 This is mode of selection and appointment to senior positions is in vogue since the government decided to introduce the new system in February, 2017 as recommended by the Niti Aayog. A Joint Secretary, appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), has the third highest rank (after Secretary and Additional Secretary) in a Department, and functions as administrative head of a wing in the Department. Directors are a rank below that of Joint Secretary. The lateral entry not only defies the regulatory edifice to make to the higher echelons of the bureaucracy but also undermines the relevance and efficacy of the Combined Civil Services Examination of the UPSC.

What is the government’s reasoning for lateral entry? On July 4, 2019, Minister of State for DoPT Jitendra Singh told Rajya Sabha that “Government has, from time to time, appointed some prominent persons for specific assignments in government, keeping in view their specialized knowledge and expertise in the domain area”. In a separate response to a similar question in the same House, he said: “Lateral recruitment is aimed at achieving the twin objectives of bringing in fresh talent as well as augment the availability of

manpower.” This reasoning is fallacious as Leader of the Opposition Tejasavi Yadav asked, “You should explain whether UPSC selection procedure is failing to ensure ‘willing, motivated & talented’ candidates for ‘nation building’, or hand-picked ones are more so? Isn’t it another ploy to sideline & reduce reservations for deprived sections?” Obviously, the concerned and affected Groups representing SCs, STs and OBCs have protested the fact that there is no reservation in these appointments. The reservation provisions and norms have been willfully and stealthily bypassed by the government by making these ‘appoints as single appointments’ to escape the ’13 point’ formula for ensuring reservations. It is surprising that the SC Members of Parliament are blissfully ignorant and are not opposing these ‘lateral entry’ machinations intended to dilute reservation provisions by the back door. It is further surprising that UPSC, supposed to be an independent and statutory institution, has termed this so-called ‘lateral entry’ as recruitment for “talented and motivated Indian nationals” as if the Combined Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC itself tends to recruit ‘untalented and ill-motivated’ young people. MOS Jitender Singh further justified the ill-conceived scheme as “a major step to place the right talent for the right role’. In the Combined Civil Services Examination, 15% for SCs and 7 and a half % reservations are strictly adhered to even if there may be SC or ST candidates topping the list or getting high positions in the merit list. They would still be counted in the fixed quota. This rule does not apply to ‘unreserved’ positions that are for the jobs open to the upper castes. As of now, only 50% jobs are reserved for 85% SCs, STs and OBCs as per the stipulations of the Judiciary. Less than 15% can have remaining 50% and still cry. How many SCs, STs and OBCs applied for jobs under the ‘lateral entry’ and many got selected from these categories? This data has not been made public. I hope that someone in the RSS, one

of the strongest and biggest organizations which professes to bring about ‘Samrasta” listens.  RSS openly pronounced recently that ‘reservations will remain as long inequality based on caste remains’. RSS needs to prove its credentials. As such there is no justification for ‘lateral entry’ without reservations as stipulated in the law of the land and visualized by our forefathers to establish a ‘just social and economic’ order, the lofty ideal enshrined in the Constitution of India.

All said and done, let me conclude by underlining the historical and constitutional perspective of the reservations and affirmative approaches thoughtfully instilled in our polity. These special provisions were won and obtained with great struggle and tireless efforts by Babasaheb Ambedkar and his associates. Nobody, including Mahatma Gandhi or Veer Savarkar, from the so called upper castes gave these special provisions on a platter voluntarily. The Communal Award of PM Ramsey MacDonaled of 1932 set the tone and direction of the emerging scenario. The upper caste Hindus led by Mahatma Gandhi with view to help the Hindu mainstream floated the idea of reservation and coerced Babasaheb Ambedkar to sign the Poona Pact in 1932. Babasaheb Ambedkar as a nationalist from the core of his heart accommodated Mahatma Gandhi in the larger interests of the country and the society at large. These provisions were included in the Government of India Act of 1935 and subsequently, after Independence in 1947, included in the Constitution of India as Articles 15(4) and 16(4) which were further supplemented by relevant legislation and administrative measures. Any willful and fraudulent attempt to dilute or take away these ‘affirmative measures’ will be considered unwarranted and deceitful. We are a part and parcel of a democratic polity under the constitution of India. Any ruling outfit is open to oppose and withdraw the reservations by bringing the relevant legislation or amending the constitution as laid down in the rules of procedure. It is unbecoming of anyone to support the reservations as ‘lip service’ for vote bank politics and try to abolish the ‘enabling measures’ stealthily. Ultimately, the dictum of “Jis Ki Jitni Sankhya Bhari; Utni Us Ki Hissedar” of Manyawar Kanshi Ram would and shall prevail. There is no other way. The sooner it is understood the better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Fellow BootanMandian – IAS Babita Kler

 

My Fellow BootanMandian – IAS Babita Kler       

I have been writing in my blogs about such mundane matters like my fellow BootanMandians not that they know me very well or like me or dislike me in my social or civic day to day conduct. Nevertheless, I must confess frankly that whenever some fellow BootanMandian ( a non-descript locality on Nakodar Road now Ambedkar Marg in Jalandhar which is informally said to be the nerve centre of dalits in Doaba and beyond) excels in life, I feel like sharing my joy and wishing he/she all the best in the days to come. There is no other motivation whatsoever. It is a voluntary activity just to keep myself engaged with the community for my own personal satisfaction.

My immediate provocation to write this is the appointment of Babita Kler, my fellow BootanMandian, as the Deputy Commissioner of Fazilka district of Punjab, of course a coveted position. I have not met Babita in person till today. Some years ago when I came back to

Babita Kler IAS

my roots in Jalandhar, I spoke to her on phone with regard to the renewal of my driving license. She was the RTA at Jalandhar. Since then I have been greeting her or sharing my blogs with her, off and on. But this contact mostly remained one sided though her husband Steven Kler, an established businessman and his elder brother former Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Avinash Chander showed some inclination to keep and nurture the connection on social media and otherwise. Babita may also not know that I knew his late father IPS Govind Ram as a passing acquintenance through common friends and his professional colleagues like IPS Joginder Birdi and IPS Sital Ram among others. My friendly concern and interest to felicitate Babita, as a fellow BootanMandian, also emanates from my reverence to Late Seth Kishan Dass, grandfather of Steven and Babita and his family, a pioneer and elite family not only of BootanMandi but also of the community at large. It is a matter of great pride for BootanMandians that one of the greatest sons of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar visited the home, the historic Chubara of Seth Kishan Dass in 1951, and relished Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti, the traditional delicacy of Punjab. With this little backdrop, I take this opportunity to wish Babita Kler, an IAS of 2009 batch, all the very best in her new responsibilities as the DC of Fazilka. It is a matter of satisfaction that earlier Babita adorned many high offices; inter alia, Chief Administrator of PUDA, Joint Commissioner of Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, and Secretary to various government departments in Chandigarh. I am confident that she will go much high in the hierarchy in the years to come as she has many more years to serve in the elite IAS.

Sushil Sheemar ITS

 The honour to be the first IFS from Bootan Mandi fell on your humble friend Ramesh Chander. Babita is the first IAS to hold the flag along with my other fellow BootanMandians;  Sushil Sheemar 
ITS as the first Allied services officer and his wife Jaswinder Sheemar as the Additional Session Judge.  Yet other two daughters of Seth Kishan Dass’s immediate and extended family, PCS Anupam Kler daughter of Seth Mool Raj and Judge Pushpa daughter of Ram Nath Kler also two young PCS Allied officers, Pawan and Sunil sons of yet another Kler, Keshava Nand. Many more among my fellow BootanMandians

Amar Nath Ram Retired GM Coal India 

 excelled in different professions like Jagdish Maheyand Manohar Mahey in Banking, Sat Paul Mahey and Vinod Kaul in Insurance, Amar Nath Ram in PSU (Coal India), Devender Kumar in PSU (ONGC), Harmesh Jassal PSU (Air India) among others. As I said earlier not that all of them know me very well or I have any in-depth interaction with them but still I feel proud that they are the worthy sons and daughters of my native place, Bootan Mandi.

A False Alarm – International Day of Equality

 

A False Alarm – International Day of Equality

PM Narendra Modi’s address at the UNGA at New York on September 25 instant has prompted me to write again on the

International Day of Equality immediately after my Tweet and Email message to PMO on September 21 on the subject. I quote from the address of PM Modi:-

 

“Respected Chairman

It was India that initiated the ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ on 02 October and ‘International Day of Yoga’ on 21 June. Similarly, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Solar Alliance are realities today due to efforts of India. India has always thought about the interests of the whole humankind and not about its own vested interests. This philosophy has always been the driving force of India’s policies.”

While listening to the speech, I almost jumped on the sofa as I thought the moment has come when our proposal on the Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, April 14 as International Day of Equality will see the light of the day and in the next sentence PM Modi would set the ball rolling. But that was not to be. It was a false alarm. Obviously, I was disappointed and decided to continue to persuade the GOI to consider the proposal and respond - Behosh Jo Paden Hain Sayad Unhen Jaga De – Rang Layegi Hamari Fakka Masti Ek Din

The following extract from one of my letters to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar would explain the ‘false alarm’ and my short lived moments of joy. I wrote to EAM Jaishankar in my letter of April 1, 2021: 

“ 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”.

It is simply not understandable what holds the GOI back in taking the stake holders in confidence and explain the position. We have no mind and intention to give any political color to the proposal on International Day of Equality. Ours is not a proposal to gain any brownie points bur to get the due and just honour and recognition to one of the greatest sons of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar and to flag the lofty ideal of the UN to establish ‘an equitable world order’ of which India has been a staunch votary in pursuance of its ‘soft power diplomacy’ as rightly referred to by PM Narendra Modi in his September 25 speech from the high podium of the world body, the UN.

The only possible or plausible reason which comes to my mind as to why the GOI is sitting tight on the matter is that the promoters of the proposal are ordinary people like me and my associates and likeminded Ambedkarites in India and abroad and do not carry much weight politically, economically and socially. The Scheduled Caste MPs and MLAs and other big-wigs both in the ruling party and

outfits in the opposition are blissfully silent – justifying the assertions of Manyawar Kanshi Ram in his book ‘Chamcha Age’. It is a matter of regret. These politicians and parties are falling on each other to own the legacy of Ambedkar with an eye on the ‘vote bank’ of the followers of Ambedkar. Otherwise, they don’t have any love lost for Ambedkar. It is evident and clear. But I must resister it here for the benefit of decision makers that the followers of Ambedkar, of late, are increasingly becoming conscious of the situation and they are watching carefully as to how to deal with the forthcoming scenario. They are no more interested in accepting the willful indifference on the part of the people at the helm in addressing the issues of concern and interest to the weaker sections of the society. The ruling outfits would ignore this ground reality at their own peril. What Mahatma Gandhi said about Ambedkar long before is equally true as of now too; “You can criticize Ambedkar but cannot ignore him”. On one hand, there is an ongoing hoard among the political classes to encash Ambedkar and on the other there is a willful denial to provide him his due. It is not defendable. I am reminded of an Urdu shair of poet Shakeel Badayuni: 

kabhī yak-ba-yak tavajjoh kabhī daf.atan taġhāful

mujhe aazmā rahā hai koī ruḳh badal badal kar

We will continue

I wrote in these columns before also that Babasaheb Ambedkar could not get anything in life easily. He struggled hard throughout his life. In spite of proving his mettle at the national and international level, recognition and acceptance did not come as late as 1970s after almost 15 long years of his demise in December, 1956. The political leadership of the ruling Congress Party and also other political outfits willfully tried to sideline Ambedkar. The

society, particularly the main stream Hindus, could not accept Ambedkar. The reasons, to my mind, was not only his political acumen and vision for the country and the society at large which did not go well with the so called Pundits or wise men but his belonging to so called low caste in the caste ridden society. But in spite of all odds, Ambedkar’s legacy was so potent that it could not be ignored for long. The polity of India started shaping up under the new Constitution of India of which Babasaheb Ambedkar himself was the chief architect. The life, mission and legacy of the great leader stirred the entire edifice to such an extent that it became difficult to ignore Ambedkar anymore. This fully explains that Ambedkar was such a phenomena which would surge forward on its own. The proposed International Day of Equality under the aegis of UN would not be an exception, I think. I only hope somebody in the Government of PM Narendra Modi listens and act. Sooner the better.  I repeat that it is just not possible to ignore the greatest son of India. Babasaheb B.R.Ambedkar. We would continue till we reach.