Remembering Babasaheb Ambedkar

I was born in a politically and socially alive family of Bootan

Chetna March in Jalandhar on April 13, 2015

Mandi in Jalandhar which has been a hub of dalit socio-economic and political awakening. The messiah of dalits and other weaker sections of the society at large, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar visited and stayed in Bootan Mandi in October, 1951 when I was only two years old. Later during my school days, the family elders including my grand-parents and parents instilled in me a feeling of reverence and respect for Dr. Ambedkar in a routine way of daily living. In and around Bootan Mandi, there were two groups with political orientations – one were the followers of Dr. Ambedkar under the flag of Schedule Caste Federation and later Republican Party and the second were the followers of Babu Jagjivan Ram of Congress Party. The political rivalry often generated considerable political and social heat.  Dr. Ambedkar was yet to get wide recognition even among dalits. My family has been an ardent follower of Dr. Ambedkar. My father, who was politically and socially alive, tended to talk about and discuss current affairs at home quite often. The only mouthpiece of Ambedkar’s mission those days was a local weekly “Bheem Patrika” edited and published by a staunch Ambedkarite, Lahori Ram Balley. Both the Urdu and Punjabi editions of the Bheem Patrika were regular at our home and I was almost addicted to reading it. It is gratifying to note that Bheem Patrika is still published and its Editor Shri Balley is a respected senior in the community.

Ambedkar Jyanti generally falls on the next day of Baishakhi, a great festival of Punjab. In good old days, Baishakhi was celebrated with great fun and frolic with Bhangra on Dhol beats. In Bootan Mandi too the celebrations used to be held for at least two days. Many a times, I accompanied my father to join the Jaloos (Yatra) on Ambedkar Jayanti starting from the Mandi. On the evenings of April 13, Baishakhi and April 14, Ambedkar Birthday, there used to be musical melas of community songs and qawwalis under the patronage of Kartara Ram Madhas, Pritam Ramdaspuri, Seth Dhannu Ram and more. I vividly remember inspirational and devotional qawwalis by Badhan Group of Ram Nagar and Tumbi songs by Lal Chand Kamla, particularly the song written by Charan Dass Nidhadak “Jhanda Chak Baghawat Da Tu Baghi Hona Das Giya” Some of the buildings were also illuminated and fireworks displayed. I still cherish those memories.

Having left Bootan Mandi in 1970 in pursuit of my career, I came back to my roots in Jalandhar in 2011, after retirement. The stock of Dr. Ambedkar has gone up and rightly so over the years. His acceptance and relevance has been widely recognized and appreciated even by his erstwhile opponents and ignorant critics. The community and the followers of Ambedkar have also come a long way in the journey of development and prosperity. More and more people talk of Dr. Ambedkar. The statues are garlanded, functions are held, media coverage has increased of Ambedkar Jyanti. But I don’t find that enthusiasm of the years gone by. Something is missing. Somehow, I feel, the community is lagging behind in owning the great legacy of the great leader. Why so? The political parties like BJP and Congress are falling on each other to encash the name of Ambedkar in attracting the solid vote bank but the parties like BSP, the so called flag bearers of Ambedkar’s caravan are losing ground. Again the question remains why so? Somebody is needed to provide answers to these Whys.

Chhupa Kar Aastin Mein Bijliyan Rakh Li Hain Gurdu Ne;

Anadil Bagh Ke Gaafil Na Baithein Ashianon Mein !

Greetings and congratulations on Ambedkar Jyanti

Postscript: While I am concluding my piece, I find that this year Bootan Mandi is decked up with decorations to celebrate the birth anniversary of the great leader Babasaheb Ambedkar. It is a matter of satisfaction. A Chetna March (Yatra) will be taken out in the afternoon of April 13 by a number of outfits having allegiance with Dr. Ambedkar. On April 14 again, Ambedkar Mission Society will conduct a Chetna March and conclude the celebrations with a function to pay tributes the Messiah of Dalits at Ambedkar Bhawan at Nakodar Road, Jalandhar.

Qufar Toota Khuda Khuda Karke

Babasaheb Ambedkar

DR. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary falls on April 14, 2015. The main political parties viz. BJP and Congress are fallingon each other to own the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar by celebrating and observing the anniversary in a big way. Whereas the traditional political outfits like RPI and BSP etc. who professed Dr. Ambedkar as their icon and mentor have lost or are increasingly losing their position in the changing political and social scenario in the country. The relevance and acceptance of Dr. Ambedkar is on the rise and rightly so. The likes of Arun Shourie, Mulayam Singh and some others must be sulking. That is why the heading of this piece is ”Qufar Toota Khuda Khuda Karke” – The tyrants who were not afraid of anybody are falling while remembering God (Khuda).

Throughout his life Dr. Ambedkar remained a principled opponent of Congress and Mahatma Gandhi on the one hand and orthodox Hinduism and Manuwad on the other. There was no love lost between Ambedkar and the likes of Hindu Mahasabha, RSS, Jan Sangh and other communal outfits like Muslim League etc. Towards the last years of his life, Dr. Ambedkar tried his bit to cobble around a union of secular and socialist forces, in cooperation with Ram Manohar Lohia, Jaya Prakash Narain and others to meet the challenges of development and progress of the infant Indian nation but that was not to be and he died prematurely in December, 1956. The likes of Mulayam Singh, Giriraj Singh and a few others with feudal mindsets may not understand this as of now. But the coming times belong to the mission and philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar. It is for sure. Dr. Ambedkar was a hard core nationalist. His thought emanated from the universal and humane dictum of “Bahujan Hitaye; Bahujan Sukhaye” of Buddhist philosophy. He said in one of his speeches, “My philosophy may be said to be enshrined in these three words: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. These principles of my philosophy have its roots in the teachings of my master,  Lord Buddha.”  The lofty ideals of his thinking are well embodied and stipulated in the constitution of India in the form of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Justice, Harmony as the fundamentals of Indian polity and society.

As we say in India ‘ Der Ayat Darust Ayat’, Congress Party, in the face of crushing defeat in electoral politics, has realized that their salvation lies with Ambedkar and his followers, particularly the dalits. The Congress Party has decided to observe the year 2015-16 as the 125^th anniversary year of Babasaheb Ambedkar. They have constituted a high power committee headed by its President Sonia Gandhi for the purpose, as reported in the media.  The Convener of the Ambedkar Birthday Celebration Committee, K Raju said, “Our biggest challenge is to clear the misconceptions about Ambedkar and the Congress. His ideology has been projected as antagonistic to the Congress whereas it was a partnership between the two.” BJP and RSS have initiated a concerted plan to embrace the legacy of the dalit icon Dr. Ambedkar with a view to grab dalit votes. The RSS leadership is all geared up to join hands with the Narendra Modi Government to unleash the agenda to own Dr. Ambedkar on April 14, the 125^th birth anniversary of the great leader. It has been reported in the media that PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate a Rs. 200 crore project of a research centre and a library in Delhi dedicated to the life and message of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The RSS mouthpieces the Panchjanya and the Organiser are coming out with special issues on the anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar. BJP has directed its party machinery to organize functions to celebrate the occasion at each block throughout the country. Paying glowing tributes to the leader, RSS Prachaar Parmukh Manmohan Vaidya said, “Ambedkar is a national leader not just of a particular group. The complete Ambedkar needs to be brought to the people and efforts will continue to be made in that direction.” RSS is in the process of re-writing history to woo dalits. One of the dalit BJP leaders Vijay Sonkar Shastri has recently written three books on Chamars, Khatiks and Valmiki denominations (Jatis) which were released by the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. In the Foreword of these books, the RSS leadership claimed that these castes had come into existence due to atrocities by foreign invaders and did not exist in Hindu religion earlier. The war has just begun. Let us see how things happen. Let us also hope that these onslaughts do not remain merely political rhetoric to garner votes. It will do no justice either to the country or Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. I conclude with an apt poetic expression of Allama Iqbal:

Masjid To Bana Di Shab Bhar Mein; Imaan Ki Hrarat Walon Ne,

Mann Apna Purana Paapi Hai; Barson Se Namazi Ban Na Saka!

Iqbal Bada Updeshak Hai; Mann Baaton Se Moh Leta Hai,

Guftaar Ka To Yeh Gaazi Bana; Kirdaar Ka Gaazi Ban Na Saka!

Representation at National Day Functions

The recent controversy on MOS for External Affairs General V.K. Singh’s participation in the Pakistani National Day celebrations (Pakistan Day on March 23) seems unnecessary and uncalled for. The handling of the issue, particularly with reference to the tweets of the MOS, is also not only undiplomatic but also does not conform to the norms of maintaining international relations.  It also appears that the media has played the unsavory controversy out of proportion which has further damaged the already strained relations between the two neighboring countries.

Uzbek National Day Function at theie Embassy in Delhi

Those who know the protocol and accepted international norms in this regard would acknowledge the fact that National Days of countries throughout the world are celebrated and observed as a solemn and sober occasion. Greetings are exchanged between the leaderships and it is generally reiterated to further strengthen bilateral relations, except with those with whom diplomatic relations do not exist. India being an honourable member of the comity of nations, these practices are followed as a routine diplomatic intercourse. Indian diplomatic and consular missions also observe our National Days on January 26 as Republic Day and August 15 as Independence Day all over the globe. The host Governments, as a normal diplomatic courtesy, not only exchange greetings but also participate in the functions and receptions held in this regard.

The norms for these representations change in accordance with the

Indian National Day Function in Prague, Czech Republic

prevailing trends and situations. Being a practitioner of diplomacy, my knowledge and experience in this regard, may be of interest. In the early years of our Independence in 1947, exchange of greetings by the top political leadership and Government representations at the national day functions, were given a lot of importance. The warmth of greeting messages indicated the depth and importance of bilateral relations. Senior Ministers were deputed to represent the Government at the functions. Sometimes the representations were raised to the PM level on specific occasions. It was so, on the basis of reciprocity, an important ingredient in the conduct of diplomatic intercourse, with functions hosted by our Ambassadors and High Commissioners abroad. Until the end of 1980s, in addition to the Chief of Protocol (COP) or his Deputy, Secretary/Joint Secretary of the concerned Division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), one of the Ministers was also deputed with the approval of PMO and Cabinet Secretary to attend such functions. Owing to some functional and security reasons, the practice underwent change in the 90s. It was decided that in all national day functions organized by diplomatic missions in Delhi, Lt. Governor will be the Guest of Honour to represent Government of India, in addition to the official level representation from the MEA. Later again, the practice of political level representation at the level of MOS was introduced and it continues. Incidentally, during my diplomatic career, I myself represented the concerned Divisions/Sections of the MEA in such functions in Delhi and also received host representations at functions hosted by the Indian Embassies abroad as and when occasion arose. These are routine activities to carry forward the diplomatic exchanges with countries of the world.

With this background, I think MOS General V.K. Singh’s participation in the National Day function of Pakistan on March 23 (Pakistan Day) was a routine gesture. PM Narendra Modi’s message of greetings to his Pakistani counterpart on the occasion was also a routine diplomatic activity. Indian media, particularly the mushrooming TV channels, have the tendency to over play and sensationalize the news which is not correct.  

An Avoidable Controversy - Musings of a Novice

Colour of Skin

Shard Yadav, a shrewd politician, recently created an avoidable controversy both in the parliament and outside, intentionally or otherwise, about the skin tone of ladies. Many of the lawmakers, particularly the women parliamentarians were up in arms against the alleged sexist remarks made by Shard Yadav. The TV channels, as usual, had a fest for a couple of days. I think it was an unnecessary controversy. Only in India, we attach undue importance to fair complexion as against brown and black. During my diplomatic service in African countries where generally people have black colour, I found that Indians would tend to, as it is natural, enjoy the company of black ladies but generally not marry them. Whereas fair coloured or white Europeans or Americans and others of both sexes do marry and live with blacks socially. It is a mindset which requires change. Black can not only be bountiful but beautiful also.

Here I have a small story to tell. It was long before in 1982. I was the Protocol Officer in the Ministry of External Affairs in New

With PM Indira Gandhi

Delhi. One of my responsibilities was to select and get approved the gifts to be given by our leadership to their foreign counterparts. PM Indira Gandhi was very particular and thoughtful in this regard. On such occasions, she herself approved gifts for the Head of States and Head of Governments and their spouses and other important dignitaries. We would arrange a sort of meena bazaar at her official residence for the purpose. Hussein Muhammad Ershad, after a military coup, became the President of Bangladesh some time in 1982. He, accompanied by his spouse, decided to come to Delhi on an unplanned and unscheduled visit. Obviously, PM Indira Gandhi, as customary, was to give them appropriate gifts. As the visit was sudden and unplanned, there was hardly any time to get the gifts approved from PM. Moreover, she was extremely busy and occupied as parliament was in session. Vice President M.H. Ansari was the then Chief of Protocol (COP). It was decided that President Ershad may be given a gift already approved by PM for another VVIP from an Islamic country. But what about the Begum (spouse) of President Ershad? Knowing the mind and interest of PM Indira Gandhi in such matters, nobody was willing to take any decision. But the matter was urgent. Given my earlier stint in the PMO in dealing with such matters, it fell on me, of course with full knowledge and guidance of COP, to sort out the matter. It was decided to propose to PM that a Banaras silk saree may be given to the first lady of Bangladesh. I spoke to PM’s personal staff at her residence and requested their help in the matter. The security considerations were not as stringent as now and I was a known and an old hand at the residence. They advised me to come with a few sarees. They informally agreed to inform the PM that I was there for the purpose when she would come for lunch. I spread a few sarees on the sofa in one of the rooms near the entrance and waited inside. But we were still keeping our fingers crossed. PM Indira Gandhi came for lunch. Her car stopped under the porch. While she was alighting from the car, one of her assistants informed her that I was waiting in the room for the purpose. She went inside and came back to the room, where I was waiting, with a towel in her hands cleaning her hands for lunch. One could imagine how busy she was. She had a quick look and said “Accha Hai, App Unhe Saree Dena Chahte Ho” (Good. You want to give her a saree) and enquired “Unka Rang Kaisa Hai.” (What was her complexion?). I may add that PM Indira Gandhi was such a great person that while dealing with and talking to juniors like me she was always courteous and generally spoke in Hindustani. I did not expect this question. In a quick and unpretentious response, I meekly uttered “Ji Mujhe Pata Nahin. Maine Unhe Dekha Nahin.”  On her own she said, “Bangladeshi Aam Tor Pe Saanvle Rang Ke Hote Hain.” and picked up a saree and added, “Yeh De Do.” She quickly retreated inside before I could say anything.  The job was done. Was PM Indira Gandhi colour conscious? No, not at all. She was simply human as, I think, Shard Yadav is.  I am reminded of a Punjabi song by a great poet but rustic and ordinary man Gurdass Ram Alam:

“Mahi Mera Kale Rang Da;

Behde Barda Ta Chand Chad Janda!

(When my dark skinned beloved enters the compound of the house, it looks as if the moon has appeared)

SPEED – Society for Poor’s Education and Economic Development

I wrote about the SPEED in my earlier blogs. It is gratifying to note

With Prof. Baldev Narang and Dr. Ram L. Jassi, IPS

that SPEED has become stronger and kicking over the years. It has opened yet another computer centre and career coaching centre, the fourth in a row, at the prestigious Ambedkar Bhawan at Nakodar Road Jalandhar. SPEED’s President Dr. Ram Lubhaya, IPS (Retired) and General Secretary Janak Chauhan deserve all appreciation and support in their unstinted endeavours to carry forward the agenda of socio-economic upliftment of the society at large and dalit community in particular. I wish them GOD SPEED and all success.

The 4^th Computer/Career Coaching Centre was inaugurated on March 15, 2015 at a well organized function at Ambedkar Bhawan. I was also invited to participate and benefit. Thoughtfully, a seminar on the theme “Our Education System and Social Justice” was held which was very well attended by the intelligentsia from cross sections of the society. Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Pawan Tinu was the chief guest at the function. He spoke with conviction and said that he would only be happy if could do something good in raising the educational facilities for the poor and needy and granted Rupees One Lakh from his discretionary fund for the newly opened Computer Centre by the SPEED in cooperation with Ambedkar Bhawan Trust. Representing the Ambedkar Bhawan Trust, Lahori Ram Balley said that it was satisfying to note that the educated lot of the community under the aegis of SPEED was rallying together for the betterment of the society as desired and wished by Babasaheb Ambedkar.  Prof. K.K. Ghai was the main speaker at the function. He said that he was proud to see that many of his students were present at the function and added that individual justice was the pre-requisite of social justice. He added that it was gratifying to note that his students excelled in life and did individual justice to themselves and were now contributing positively towards social justice. Trustees of Ambedkar Bhawan Trust, Dr. Ram Lal Jassi and Dr. G.C. Kaul also spoke and endorsed the efforts of SPEED. In my brief speech, I complemented the SPEED by introducing my small effort in starting Jalandhar School of Careers and Opportunities with a view to reach out to the needy students of the area by providing them affordable educational and counseling facilities. Patron of SPEED, Prof Baldev Narang in his valedictory address underlined the need for unity and fraternity to ward off the increasing artificial divisions even among the dalits. He enthralled the audience with his classical recital of a unity song –‘ Chajj Kar lai’ which was much appreciated.

Bits and Pieces – Musings of a Novice

March 16, 1970 - A Journey Starts 

South Block, New Delhi

The journey of my formative years began in March, 1970. While I was still a student of the final year for a university degree (B.A) at D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, I had passed and qualified the UPSC’s competitive examination for an LDC. I was happy on one hand and somewhat worried and concerned on the other. Our financial position was not sound at the time. I was finding it difficult to continue my studies. But I was keen to become a university graduate by completing the B.A degree. My father immediately wrote, after the UPSC results sometime in November, 1969, to Mama Shiv Ram, a cousin of my mother, who was an Under Secretary in one of the Ministries of Government of India.  He responded and dissuaded me and my father from coming to Delhi for a clerical post and advised to continue my studies and try for a better job subsequently. Sometime in January, 1970, I got an appointment letter from the Ministry of External Affairs for the job of an LDC that instructed me to join by March 16, 1970. I was happy as I learnt that it was the best position offered at that level of recruitment. My father again wrote, on my suggestion, to Mama Shiv Ram and informed him that I was allotted IFS (B) and was advised to join by March 16. Mamaji promptly responded and advised to accept the job offer and come to Delhi. I immediately drafted a small letter in my broken English and typed it myself at a typewriting school where I was learning typing and informed the Ministry of External Affairs that I would join by March 16, 1970. I did not know at that time that I could have got some more time on request to prepare for the joining. My worry at the time was the number of lectures mandatory to sit for the final year examinations for the B.A. degree. With this in mind and other considerations, I remained in the college up to March 14 which was a Saturday. 

The journey of my tryst with the Ministry of External Affairs and the IFS started on Sunday, March 15 by a morning train from Jalandhar to Delhi. I reached the residence of Mama Shiv Ramji, a flat at Nanakpura, New Delhi by evening. Mamaji was a great personality, a tall handsome man of caliber. The family received me with open arms. Both Mama Shiv Ram and Mami Bhaggo and their children, my cousins, were friendly and accommodative. They made me feel at home and comfortable. Mama Shiv Ram and Mamiji were very reverential to my father and mother. It made me all the more comfortable and at ease. They gave me an over-view of the life in Delhi and some tips to start my career.

The next day, March 16, was the day of reckoning for me. I was excited. Mamaji’s office, Ministry of Agriculture, was located at Krishi Bhawan. He took me on his scooter to the Ministry of External Affairs at South Block, guided, helped and made me join my job. I was deeply touched by the treatment meted out to me. I will forever remain indebted to Mama Shiv Ram and his family for the good done to me.

Incidentally today, March 16 is a Monday again. It was so 45 years ago. I feel gratified that I was not unoccupied or unemployed even for a day and landed right from D.A.V College Jalandar to the coveted Ministry of External Affairs at South Block, New Delhi. It was a long but satisfying journey till my retirement from the coveted IFS in December, 2010.

Dalit Society - Cultural Transformation and Guru Ravidassji

Centre of Indian Languages of Jawaharlal Nehru University organized and hosted a two day Interdisciplinary International Seminar on Guru Ravidassji at JNU On February 23-24, 20015.

Though I am not an authority on the subject yet the organizers, particularly the Convener of the Conference Dr. Rajesh Paswan, was kind enough to invite me as an observer. As such, I attended the opening plenary session and also participated in the first technical session of the Seminar on February 23. Both the functions were very well organized and attended. I take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Dr. Rajesh Paswan and his colleagues at the Centre of Indian Languages particularly Dr. Ram Chander for the excellent arrangements and hospitality.

With Bindeshwar Pathak of Sulabh International

The opening plenary was inaugurated by Shri Bindeshwar Pathak of Sulabh International who was one of the co-sponsors of the Seminar. The theme of his speech was the Motivational Message of Guru Ravidass and the Sulabh Movement.  He said that to fight the problem of caste system and establishment of healthy and harmonious social order, there was no better remedy than the path shown by the great visionary Guru Ravidass. The session was chaired by Dr. Vaishna Narang, Dean of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies Centre of the JNU. Some of the renowned intellectuals and academics namely Prof T.V. Kattimani, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Dr. Chander Bhan Prasad, Prof. Vivek Kumar, Prof. Chauthiram Yadav, Shri Sunil Sardar spoke with convincing and impressive voices and underlined the importance and relevance of Guru Ravidassji’s message and philosophy to meet the challenges of the 21^st century.  I was very much impressed by the scholarly presentations of Prof Vivek Kumar of JNU and Prof. Chauthiram Yadav of BHU.

With Rajesh Bagha, Chairman Punjab SC Commission

 The first technical session of the Seminar on the afternoon of February 23 was chaired by Shri Rajesh Bagha, Chairman of Punjab SC Commission and conducted by a young intellectual Dr. Manoj Kumar. The theme of the session was Guru Ravidass: Diverse Dimensions. It was a very well attended session by the cross sections of students and teaching community. The speakers namely Shri Sriram Arsh, Prof K.P. Singh of USA, Dr. Sneh Thakur of Canada, Dr. Rahul Dipankar of USA, Prof. Chandra Sadayat, Shri F.C. Mall spoke on different facets of Guru Ravidass and his philosophy from academic and intellectual perspectives. I spoke as a layman and a humble follower of the great Guru on the theme:  The Concept of Begumpura with particular reference to the lofty idea of an ideal state or welfare state in the contemporary times. Prof. Chandra Sadayat of NCERT said that it was gratifying that, of late, the compositions of Guru Ravidass were included in the school syllabus. Shri Sriram Arsh in his scholarly speech said that Guru Ravidass was not only a pioneer of the Bhakti Movement but also a great revolutionary to transform the society.  Dr. Ram Chander of JNU gave the Vote of Thanks and summed up the proceedings of the session with utmost competence and flare.

The Seminar was a befitting tribute to Guru Ravidassji in the month of his Prakash Utsav on February 3, 2015.