Baba Sahib Dr.
AMBEDKAR –
A Tribute
Today, December
6, is the death anniversary (Parinirvan Diwas)
of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 –
December 6, 1956), the greatest son of India in
contemporary times. It is a matter of
gratification to note that as time passes, the
relevance of Ambedkar becomes more pronounced
both in the realm of India as a nation and also
Indians as a society. He was a visionary in the
true sense. Ambedkar may have been an iconic
dalit leader but he belongs to the whole nation
rather than just the dalits.
I would like to
bring one point of Dr. Ambedkar’s thinking into
focus. The political life in India is
increasingly getting dirty and criminalized. It
is a matter of concern and worry to all.
Ambedkar while commenting on the qualifications
of a Member of Parliament said “The education
can hardly be the sole qualification for
membership of parliament. If I may use the words
of Buddha he said that man required 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 temptation and 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” One may easily see the
relevance of Ambedkar in the light of present
day’s requirement of cleansing politics in
India. Our social and political activists like
Anna Hazare should take some clue from
Ambedkar’s thoughts in spearheading their
struggle for a clean administration.
India is yet to
pay its debt of gratitude to Babasaheb Ambedkar
in full measure. Some of the foreign
organizations have started doing so. According
to media reports, which did not get much
attention in India, recently Columbia University
of the USA, in celebrating its 250th
anniversary, has issued a list of 100
personalities worldwide who were the alumni of
the University and made their mark in shaping
the destiny of millions in their own countries
and otherwise. The name of Ambedkar tops the
list and rightly so. Dr. Ambedkar studied at
Columbia University from 1913-1915. It is a
great tribute to India and its greatest son.
By. Mr. Ramesh Chander, Retired Indian Diplomat
