The New Parliament House of India – a Temple of Democracy

 

The New Parliament House of India – a Temple of Democracy

India is on the move with the changing times and rightly so. The old historical structures like the Parliament House, Central Secretariat (comprising of North and South Blocks- the seat of power) and several buildings including the Vice President’s Residence, PM’s Office, PM;s Residence among others are being rebuilt or renovated

New Parliament Building

as the Central Vista to meet the current and future requirements of the country that is Bharat. What is Central Vista site? - The Central Vista project aims to strengthen governance infrastructure by building new facilities for India's Parliament, an efficient and sustainable Central Secretariat to house all the ministries of the Government of India, as explained by the authorities. PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the building on December 10, 2020, and its construction began in January 2021 which is complete now. It has been stated “The new building symbolizes the spirit of self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat)”. The new Parliament, constructed on the lines of the Central Vista buildings, is a triangular structure. It houses the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, the Central Lounge and offices of constitutional authorities. The new Lok Sabha Chamber is designed in the likeness of India's National Bird, the Peacock. The new complex will have 888 seats in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 seats in the Rajya Sabha chamber. Unlike the present parliament building, it will not have a central hall. The new building, designed by Bimal Patel of HCP Designs, built with an expenditure of Rs.1200 crorers will have ‘state of the art facilities’ in commensuration with the current and forthcoming needs of the system and the country. The old building, designed by Edward Lutyens, was built from 1921-26 at the cost of Rs. 83 lakh in the

Old Parliament House

British colonial times. The old building would be converted into ‘Museum of Democracy’, a thoughtful decision. Some of the details and salient features of the ‘Temple of Democracy’ are coming out slowly which would be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023. It would have three main gates – Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar and Karma Dwar. In the compound, as stated in the media, there would granite statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Chanakya, Sardar Vallabbhai Patel and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Though these symbolic gestures, of course, have great emotional and inspirational values and we should take it seriously but there is another dimension of it too. Let me quote Babasaheb Ambedkar, to make my point, on the need of sending men of integrity to the august house, the parliament which I think is all the more relevant in the prevailing situation, “The educational qualifications can hardly be the sole qualification for membership of

Babasaheb Ambedkar

parliament. If I may use the words of Buddha, he said that man requires two things; one is ‘Gyan’ and the other is ‘Sheel’. Gyan without Sheel is very dangerous. It must be accompanied by Sheel by which we mean; character, moral courage, ability to be independent of any kind of temptations, truthful to ones ideals. I am very keen to see that no member enters this august assembly who does not possess ‘Sheel’ in an adequate degree.”

There cannot two opinions that with changing profile of India not only demographically but also its growing stature as a democratic country not only within the country but also in the world at large, we need to upgrade our institutional facilities. The new parliament building is a step in that direction, prime facie. But, unfortunately, it has generated an avoidable controversy between the government and the opposition parties; basically on the inauguration of the new building by PM Narendra Modi scheduled for May 28, 2023 and not by Mahamahim Rashtrapati Droupadi Murmu, the first citizen and Head of State of Bharat. Most of the opposition is all set to boycott the function amidst acrimonious debate which is not only frivolous and uncalled for but also un-becoming of the largest democracy of the world. GOI also should have also shown due consideration in involving the Opposition, an essential part in a parliamentary democracy, while deciding the redoing or building new structures of national importance. It is not in order to resort to a ‘majoritarian’ approach in these matters. India is a parliamentary democracy and as such leader of the majority party that is the PM is the effective head of the Government in spite of the fact that the country is run and governed in the name of the President of India that is Mahamahim Rashtrapati in terms of the relevant provisions of the constitution particularly Articles 52, 79, 124 among others. PM is supposed to enjoy the trust and mandate of ‘We the people of India’ through the parliament. If the GOI has decided to offer the honours to inaugurate the new building of parliament – Temple of Democracy to the PM of India, we shall accept it rather than creating a controversy. Yes, the opposition has the right to say their mind and register their point of view in a due procedural manner. But it has not happened, unfortunately. More and more controversial issues have come-up like the installation of ‘Sengol’ - It is a sceptre/staff/wand with a royal or imperial insignia signifying sovereign authority, justice, power and good governance, etc. Sengol is the Tamil word for scepter and the

Sengol

date, May 28, itself as it happened to be the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, an RSS ideologue. The opposition parties particularly the Congress Party, obviously, do not like and endorse the ‘Hindutava Agenda’ of the ruling dispensation of BJP. There is no simple and straight answer to all these controversial issues but to invoke ‘constitutional morality’ in governing the country of 140 crorer with multi-racial, multi-linguistic and multicultural society as visualized by the chief architect of the constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar who said, ‘Constitutional morality would mean effective coordination between conflicting interests of different people and the administrative cooperation to resolve them amicably without any confrontation amongst the various groups working for the realization of their ends at any cost’.

Let us enjoy the fruits of independence and resultant prosperity in an environment of Sab Ka Vikas – Sab a Bisvash. India is on rails. We should ward off the dangers of ‘Grammar of Anarchy’ as warned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in his last speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949 before finally giving the Constitution to ourselves.

आ, ग़ैरियत के परदे एक बार फिर उठा दें
बिछड़ों को फिर मिला दें, नक़्श ए दोई मिटा दें
सूनी पड़ी हुई है, मुद्दत से दिल की बस्ती
आ, एक नया शिवाला इस देस में बना दें

 

 

 

Rushali Kler, my fellow BootanMandian – a Shining star

 

  Rushali Kler, my fellow BootanMandian – a Shining star

I have been writing about my fellow BootanMandians in my blogs to register my sense of belonging as a social being and a small cog in the community life. Today, a worthy daughter, 

Rushali being greeted by the family

 Rushali Kler, of Bootan Mandi, my native place in Jalandhar has given me yet another opportunity to write – Rushali Kler has passed the Indian Civil Services Examination, 2022 with flying colors. It means now she will join the big league of elite civil services like IAS, IFS, IPS and other allied services. I take this opportunity to congratulate Rushali and her proud parents and the family. We, the fellow BootanMandians are proud of Rushali and wish her all the best and further success in the days to come. 

Rushali is the daughter of the first family of Bootan Mandi, Seth Kishan Dass, a great community leader of his times and a close associate of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Rushali is the daughter of one of the scions of the family Steven Kler, an established businessman and a political activist and Babita Kler, an IAS herself, adorning a coveted post in the Government of Punjab.  Intellectual and public service traits, it seems, are inherited in Rushali’s genes – her great

Rushali Kler

grandfather, Seth Kishan Dass was a politician (MLA) and community activist of standing, her uncle (father’s brother), Avinash Chander is former MLA and Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Punjab, her aunt (father’ sister), Anupam Kler is a PCS officer in Punjab. Rupali’s maternal grandfather (Nana), Govind Ram was an IPS officer of great caliber. Rushali has held the family flag high and rightly so. It is a matter of great satisfaction. I wrote a blog on Babita Kler on October 6, 2021 which may be accessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/search?q=babita+kler

Just to complete the story, I may mention here that Bootan Mandi has produced and contributed a great deal in the sphere of public and government services in the recent years; in addition to some of the details I mentioned with regard to the family of Rushali – Ambassador Ramesh Chander, IFS, Sushil Sheemar, ITS, Pushpa Kler, PCS (Judicial), Kler brothers; Sunil and Pawan, both PCS Allied, Jaswinder (Lovely) Sheemar, PCS (Judicial) and a good number of sons and daughters of the soil in banking, insurance, medical and other services. Rushali has credited her parents as her motivators; particularly her mother IAS Babita for her success and has wished to join the elite service and said “I am hoping to have a choice between IAS and IPS services.” One can understand her emotional bondage – as an IAS to step into the shoes of her gracious mother, Babita and as an IPS to pay a befitting tribute to her Nanaji, Govind Ram. Sharing my loud thinking, I may say that if Rushali is allotted IPS, the things would turn a full circle for us in Bootan Mandi to boast of having IFS, IAS and IPS among the fellow residents. It would also be a great source of inspiration to the up-coming generation in the area to follow suit.

Anju Mahesh Chander

Before I close this congratulatory and felicitatory note, I may add that like the young ladies leading and topping the UPSC Examinations for the successive years, of late, it has been observed that my fellow BootanMandian girls have outshined the boys – Jaswinder Sheemar and Sunita Kler as Judges, Neena and Rimpy (daughters of Hardev and Prem Shant) and Mamta (daughter of Krishan Lal) as doctors, Anju Mahesh Chander as Teacher/Instructor of ILETS and Priya Ambedkar in scaling the heights (Mountaineering) among others. With this, I once again greet and congratulate Rushali Kler for her excellent fete in joining the young brigade the ‘Steel frame of India’, the Indian Civil Services. I am confident that Rushali would add to the forces interested in the empowerment and weaker sections of the society.

अभी तो  नापी है हमने थोड़ी सी ज़मीन,

जरा देखिए खुला आश्मान बाकी  है.

Pick of the Day – Ajrun Ram Meghwal and Rattan Lal Kataria

Pick of the Day – Ajrun Ram Meghwal and Rattan Lal Kataria

Today, May 18, two news items in the media attracted my attention which I thought of sharing with you here – Elevation of Arjun Ram Meghwal as the Law Minister of India and Demise of former Minister, Rattan Lal Kataria with whom, both of them, I have had the chance to meet not as a matter of relationship or even acquaintances but as a routine courtesy in the process of my post retirement activities. Both happen to be dalit leaders of their own standing in the BJP.

Arjun Ram Meghwal – A simple and sober politician from Bikaner in Rajasthan made his mark as a self made man.  Belonging to a poor weaver’s family, he studied and did his MA and a degree in Laws

while serving as a Telephone Operator and later in coveted positions as an officer of the Rajasthan Civil Service (RAS) including District Collector of Churu as he was inducted into the IAS by his own right. It seems his attachment to the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan as OSD while in government service, helped him in ushering himself into public life as a politician after his retirement. He scaled the ladder as an MLA, Minister in Rajasthan, MP and Minister in PM Narendra Modi’s government in New Delhi. While holding important portfolios at the Central Government as an MOS, he made his mark as a good administrator and a simple and humane politician. I recall Arjun Meghwal peddled his way to Rashtrapati Bhawan on a bicycle to take oath of office as an MOS and later also with his traditional headgear (colorful turban) and dhoti cycled to his Ministerial office and Parliament House. The position has taken a full circle in his elevation to a much sought after job as the Law Minister of India. This honour has another dimension too; Arjun Ram Meghwal is the second dalit Law Minister after the legendary Babasaheb Ambedkar since independence.  I am confident that he would prove himself to match the high profile job.

I met Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal some years before at the Rashtrapati Bhawan when I joined a delegation along with Meghwal Sahib under the aegis of Forum of Scheduled Caste MPs and MLAs

to submit a Memorandum to the then Mahamahim Rashtrapati Ram Nath Kovind on matters of concern and interest to the SC communities including the proposed on April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality of which I am the initiator since June, 2015. I found him a simple but warm hearted politician fully engaged in the welfare and empowerment of the weaker sections of the society. I take this opportunity to wish Hon’ble Arjun Ram Meghwal all the best in his new assignment as the Law Minister of India. Hearty Congratulations, Sir.

Rattan Lal Kataria – Haryana BJP leader and an MP and former MOS Rattan Lal Kataria (71) passed away on May 18 after a brief illness. He was a grass-root public functionary who made his mark as

a successful politician – an MLA and a Minister in Haryana and three MP from Haryana and finally an MOS in the Ministry of PM Narendra Modi. I happened to meet him at his residence in New Delhi on his becoming the MOS for Social Justice and Jal Shakti along with my friend and BJP leader Rajesh Bagha. We were returning from our visit to the RSS Headquarters in Nagpur and had a few hours in Delhi before we board the train to Jalandhar. Rajesh Bagha thought of utilizing the time by meeting the BJP leaders. He took me and one of our friends Gurdip Singh, a prominent businessman of the community to Rattan Lal Kataria’s official residence. Rattan Lal Kataria, in his rustic demeanor, received us with appreciable warmth. He was dressed informally and was in his pyjamas; a simple living. He made us sit and comfortable in his modest sitting room and ordered tea and snacks in his typical Haryanvi style. We congratulated him on his getting a coveted

position in the government. As a down to earth politician and behaving as a modest person laughed loudly and while thanking us said, ‘ab Ganga bhi hamare se hi saaf karange’ as the Minister of Jal Shakti and added that the times were definitely changing under the BJP regime. There is no point in elaborating it further. We exchanged notes on some more issues of concern and interest. Rattan Lal Kataria spoke high of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan and said that he was enjoying a good rapport with the Dera. Rattan Lal Kataria was a worthy son of the soil; a simple and sober man. The community and the society have lost a good and simple politician in the death of Kattaria Sahib. May God grant peace to the departed soul? OM Shanto OM. With heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Remembering Surinder Mahey - My fellow BootanMandian

 

Remembering Surinder Mahey - My fellow BootanMandian

Surinder Mahey (1957-2023), a fellow BootanMandian, a known and prominent face of the Mahey clan of Bootan Mandi, Former Mayor of Jalandhar and currently a dalit face of BJP in Punjab is no more. He passed away today, May 15, after a prolonged hospitalization and fight against deadly cancer and other health problems. His untimely death has closed an important chapter of the day to day socio-political hustle and bustle in and around Bootan Mandi. Surinder was the worthy son of the soil who made his mark in socio-political and business circles of the region. Though I had written about Surinder Mahey in my blogs several times with one reference or the other yet I thought of writing again today to remember him as one of my extended Mahey family and join the bereaved family in their hour of grief. I recall my blog of September 4, 2010 – Some of my fellow BootanMandians - 2 when I was still in service. I give an extract of that write up for perusal:

Quote

 The time does not stop. Seths of Bootan Mandi cintinued to do well in the traditional leather business. They made their off spring to join them but without educating them to take over with a modern outlook. Some of them survived and some, who could not sustain, vanished or changed track. One family requires special mention, the family of Shri Surinder Mahey who rose to the coveted position of the Lord Mayor of Jalandhar. He belongs to an ordinary and poor background with little education. His uncle Shri Ram Lal, who came back from the UK after many years, provided financial back-up and support to the family. It was a wise move and appreciable action. But the young boys Hussan and Surinder, sons of Shri Rup Lal, availed off the god sent opportunity and proved their worth in establishing themselves in the leather business. I was not aware of Surinder's political inclinations. He got himself elected as a member of The Jalandhar Municipal Council sometime in 1985. He made good contacts in political set-up. I remember meeting the then Union MinisterYogenderMakwana, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Chaudhary Darshan Singh Kaypee and some Congress leaders at the residence of Surinder in early 1986, the occasion was the marrage of Surinder, if my memory is correct. He gained further strength and could succeed in occupying the prestigious position of the Mayor of Jalandhar. It is not a mean achievement. Bootan Mandi shall be proud of him. I understand that Surinder still enjoys a good standing in political circles. Apart from his good work as the Mayor, he also contributed considerably to the betterment of the community. I am told that he is the main force behind the project of the magnificent Guru Ravidass Dham at Bootan Mandi. The project is not yet complete and would require further efforts to bring it to completion. Surinder also did a good job in constructing a new building for the school in Bootan Mandi and handed over the Government to run the school, as usual. It would, to my mind, have been better if the school is run directly by the Guru Ravidass Education and Welfare Trust, with a view to provide quality education to the children of the area. It was feasible but the Trust itself, to my knowledge, unfortunately is not fully functional because of internal problems and personal ego of the Seths. I pray that some better sense prevails and Bootan Mandi retains the lead in the affairs of the community.

Unquote

On my return to my roots in Bootan Mandi on retirement from a long diplomatic career in 2011, my interaction with Surinder Mahey increased particularly with regard to the community issues and matters of interest and concern. I found him an enthusiastic social activist and fully involved in community activities. He was always reverential to me, I must register it here. But to my personal assessment, I must be truthful to say, he was somewhat over-obsessed with a bit of excessive personal ego but at the same time fully amenable and accommodative. I personally recall that in 2011-12 during

Guru Ravidass Gurpurab at Bootan Mandi, 2011

Guru Ravidass Jyanti celebrations in Bootan Mandi, he parted company with the main stream managing committee of Guru Ravidass Educational and Charitable Trust and Guru Ravidass Dham owing to some differences which were mostly personal and arranged parallel functions. I tried to argue and advised him and the other group to shun this divisive approach with a poetic assertion - हम ही हम हैं तो क्या हम हैं, तुम ही तुम हो तो क्या तुम हो!  - They got united in the successive years; it was a matter of satisfaction.

Surinder Mahey, as a politician, learned the tricks of the trade from the political big-wigs like Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Darshan Singh Kaypee, Mohinder Singh Kaypee among others. I was told that he had enjoyed good rapport with Captain Amrinder Singh while he was in the Congress Party. He remained a successful and active Mayor of Jalandhar from 2002-2007. People still remember his tenure as the Mayor with appreciation. Later he lost track and left the Congress Party for political convenience which did not go well for his political career. In 2019, he joined BJP and contested elections from the

Kartarpur constituency in 2021 and lost. Surinder Mahey tried his best to catch-up with the BJP bandwagon but the fate intervened to upset his plans. He fell seriously sick and succumbed to the deadly cancer after a brave fight. The last time he spoke in Bootan Mandi and paid tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on April 14 at Guru Ravi Dass Dham, exactly a month before his Good-bye – Alvida on May 15. With the sad demise of Surinder Mahey, a promising career has been cut short. I close this personal tribute with the prayer to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul. We have lost a worthy BootanMandian.

जो बादाकश थे पुराने; उठते  जाते हैं,

सुबह करीब है अल्ला का नाम ले साकी

An Open Letter to BJP Leadership – April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality

 

An Open Letter to BJP Leadership – April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality

*****************

May 6, 2023

Respected Sirs (Decision Makers in the BJP),

We made a proposal to the GOI through the then EAM Sushma Swaraj in June, 2015 to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. The proposal was duly acknowledged and we followed up the matter with the concerned authorities and the stakeholders
accordingly. Forum of Scheduled Caste MPs and MLAs under the leadership of Former Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and Speaker of Punjab Legislative Assembly, Sardar Charanjit Singh Atwal took up the matter with PM Narendra Modi and submitted a Memorandum to him in this regard in November, 2015. For the first time to mark the 125^th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, our PMI to the UN in New York observed the day at the UN on April 14, 2016 in which a semi-official delegation headed by Sardar Charanjit Singh Atwal participated and mentioned about the proposal on International Day of Equality in his speech which was highly appreciated and acclaimed not only at the meeting at the UN but also by the followers of Ambedkar in India and abroad. On return, Atwal Sahib in a letter in May, 2016 to PM Narendra Modi, briefed him about the UN meeting on Ambedkar and informed him that the proposal on International Day of Equality was duly registered by him and requested the PM to kindly take up the matter by way of an official demarche to the UN to honour the icon of equality, Babasaheb Ambedkar.

 Since then, we have been pursuing the matter with all concerned not with any agitational approach but with a suggestive and harmonious intent. Forum of Schedule Caste MPs and MLAs also submitted a Memorandum to the then Mahamahim Rashtrapati  Ram Nath

Kovind also in the course of follow up of the matter. But it is a matter of regret and concern that GOI has not shown any visible interest in the proposal to date.  GOI, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, has done many things internally in the country to recognize and honour Babasaheb.  It is surprising that as to why the GOI is indifferent to the proposal which very well serves the twin purpose of carry forwarding and promoting the lofty ideals of the ‘Soft Diplomacy’ of India and to give further impetus to its agenda of ‘Empowerment’ by supporting and upholding the principles of ‘Equality’ with a view to achieve the goals of the world body to establish a ‘Just and Equitable World Order.

My latest blog on the subject which would provide some more details of the position so may be accessed at: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/04/international-day-of-equality-when-will.html

With a view to revisit the subject, I wrote again on May 6 to remind EAM, Dr. S. Jaishankar with the hope to get some positive response. The letter is appended below for information and perusal.

Through this open letter, I would like to request the BJP leadership to kindly consider and urge the BJP Government of PM Narendra Modi to kindly consider and take an early decision to make a diplomatic demarche to the UN to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality.  It is a matter of

First city to declare Day of Equality

satisfaction to note that taking the lead, due to the efforts of my fellow Ambedkarites living abroad, many prominent cities and states of Canada, UK, USA, Australia and many other developed and democratic countries have already declared April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in their respective places. The potent legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar is strong enough to carry forward itself and the day will come, sooner than later, when the proposal on International Day of Equality would see the light of the day. It is time for the ruling dispensation at the center that is BJP to take due note of this before things get too late. I am confident that the decision in this regard to take the matter to the UN would get full and hearty support of not only all political outfits but also the masses in India and abroad.

I conclude this with the hope that the BJP leadership would listen and come forward to honour one of the greatest sons of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar under the UN as we did for International Day of Non-violence and International Yoga Day in the recent years.

I will continue to do my bit in this regard. With regard,

इक तर्ज़े तुंगफिल है; सो वह उनको मुबारक,

इक अर्ज़े तमन्ना है; वह हम करते रहेंगे।

 

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

Jalandhar (Punjab)

Telehone: 9988510940

 

Enclosure: Text of the Letter of May 6, 2023 to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar

May 6, 2023

Dear Sir,

I am writing this again on the proposal of April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality resting in the cup-boards of the esteemed MEA since June, 2015. We have been reminding you and others concerned occasionally but nothing has been done by the GOI in this regard as far as I know.  My last letter of July 25, 2021 to you, Sir, refers, which is appended below for ready reference.  My last blog on the subject gives some more details of the matter which may be seen at: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/04/international-day-of-equality-when-will.html

It is by chance or design, I don’t know, you may agree, that Ambedkar never got anything easily throughout his life and after his demise. But at the same time, I believe that it is and would be difficult to ignore him any longer. Not only in India but also beyond, increasing recognition of Ambedkar is happening and rightly so. The proposal on International Day of Equality is catching the attention of the international community over the years. The local authorities of many cities and states of Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia and other countries of the democratic and developed world have already declared April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality in their respective places. I am certain that our diplomatic missions around must have sent dispatches to the MEA on the subject and you would be aware of these developments.

 You are a well informed and a competent EAM to our good fortune. I have no intension to say something more except to invite your attention to the proposal on International Day of Equality and request kind consideration with a view to bring the matter to its logical appropriation before the next UNGA in September, 2023.  With this, Sir, you would not only be carrying forward and promoting the ‘Soft Diplomacy’ of India as we did in declaring International Day of Non-violence and International Yoga Day but also honouring one of the greatest sons of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

I count on you, Sir. With regards,

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

 

Dr. S. Jaishankar,

Minister of External Affairs,

South Block, New Delhi 

 

 

Enclosure: Text of the letter of July 25, 2021 to EAM: -

 

July 25, 2021

 

Dear Sir,

Ever since you have taken over as the EAM in May/June, 2019, I have been writing to you about the International Day of Equality, my last letter dated April 1, 2021 (copy enclosed for ready reference) refers. The proposal to declare April 14, birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality was first made in June, 2015 to your predecessor EAM Sushma Swaraj ever since the proposal is resting with the esteemed MEA.

I thought of reminding you on the subject in the run up to the forthcoming UNGA in September, 2021. You would appreciate, Sir, Babasaheb Ambedkar is increasingly getting international recognition. It is surprising that our own government, which has taken many initiatives to honour one of the greatest sons of India otherwise, is taking time to consider the proposal and take a decision to make an appropriate demarche to the UN in this regard. I may inform, which you may already be aware, that the State of British Columbia in Canada proclaimed to declare April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality in April, 2021. Some days ago in July, 2021 itself the Gray’s Inn in London has named and opened Ambedkar Room and unveiled his portrait to recognize Babasaheb. You may know that ‘Dr BR Ambedkar is the first person of the Indian origin and the very second jurist in the world to have a room dedicated to him at the Gray’s Inn. The Inn, previously had a room dedicated to Rose Heilbronn, England’s first woman queen counsel and judge’ as reported by the Tribune of July 22, 2021

I don’t feel any need to say much, Sir, as you very well know and understand how to go about and what to do to get declared April 14 as International day of Equality. There may not be more opportune time when India will occupy the HeadChair at the UNSC and UNGA -76 in September, 2021 will be presided over by Foreign Minister of our friend Maldives, Abdullah Shahid

I am confident that my submissions would find an urgent consideration and a favourable decision is taken to see that the proposal is sent and taken up at the UN appropriately. It would send a very positive political signal within the country and to the international community in under-pinning the ‘Soft Diplomacy of India’ to move towards establishing a just and equitable world order.

With personal regards,

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Dr. S. Jaishankar,

Minister of External Affairs,

South Block, New Delhi

 

Copy to:

1.     Shri Narendra Modi, PM of India, PMO, South Block, New Delhi

2.     Dr. Varinder Kumar, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi

3.     Shri Ramdas Athawale, MOS, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi

4.     Shri Som Parkash, MOS, Ministry of Industry and Trade, New Delhi

5.     Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, MOS, MEA, New Delhi

6.     Shri Vijay Sampla, Chairman, National SC Commission, New Delhi

7.     Shri Dushyant Gautam, MP, New Delhi