On the 135th anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar’s birth, India pays homage to a luminary whose vision laid the foundation for a just and inclusive society. Often remembered for his fight against caste discrimination, Babasaheb’s legacy stretches far beyond that—it is woven into the very fabric of modern India’s democratic, economic, and institutional architecture.
From his early days, Ambedkar faced severe societal exclusion. As a child, he wasn’t allowed to drink from the same water sources as his classmates. Such experiences would have shattered most. But Ambedkar transformed that pain into purpose, pursuing higher education across continents and earning an impressive array of qualifications from global institutions like Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
He was not merely a jurist or a scholar; he was a builder of institutions and ideals. His vision played a pivotal role in creating vital establishments such as the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Water Commission. For Ambedkar, democracy was not only a system of governance—it was a way of life, requiring equality in both thought and action. He believed true democracy could only be sustained when liberty, equality, and fraternity were practiced in every sphere of public and personal life.
Dr Ambedkar’s final address to the Constituent Assembly was a solemn warning. He cautioned against the perils of complacency, reminding us that independence, once won, could be lost again if divisions and indifference were allowed to thrive. His fears were not unfounded, especially in a world where social divides—be it caste, religion, or language—continue to be exploited for short-term gains.
But Babasaheb rejected such divisions. Long before it became common to question the Aryan-Dravidian theory, he called it an imported idea, one that never troubled Indians until outsiders created the narrative. Likewise, while he mastered nine languages, he supported Hindi and even Sanskrit as unifying forces, not divisive tools.
Today, as India charts a course toward becoming a developed nation by 2047—a goal that aligns with Dr Ambedkar’s dream of social and economic justice—his vision feels more relevant than ever. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Deekshabhoomi last month underlined this commitment to building an India that honors Babasaheb’s ideals.
This anniversary is not just a moment of remembrance—it is a call to action. Let us honour Dr Ambedkar not by reducing his legacy to any single identity, but by embracing the inclusive, democratic, and united India he fought for. Let us be Indians in every thought and deed—first, last, and always.
