Essay on Br Ambedkar: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was a well-known social reformer, jurist, and politician from India. On April 14, 1891, he was born in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, India. He fought against caste discrimination and worked tirelessly to uplift India’s socially backward classes. In this essay, we will learn about BR Ambedkar’s life and work, his contributions to India, and how he continues to inspire us today.
Early Life and Education
BR Ambedkar was born into a Mahar family, which was an untouchable community at the time. His father, Ramji Sakpal, was an Indian Army Subedar, and his mother, Bhimabai Sakpal, was a housewife. Despite his lower caste, Ambedkar’s father made certain that his children received a good education.
Ambedkar received his primary and secondary education in Satara, Maharashtra. Later, he moved to the United States to further his education, where he earned an MA in Economics from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of London. He was the first person from the untouchable community to have such advanced education.
Fight against Caste Discrimination
BR Ambedkar was deeply affected by the caste system prevalent in India. He faced discrimination from a young age, which led him to become a fierce critic of the caste system. He believed that the caste system was a social evil that hindered the progress of India. Ambedkar dedicated his life to fighting against caste discrimination and promoting social equality.
Contribution to Indian Constitution
BR Ambedkar was a key figure in the creation of the Indian Constitution. He was the Chairman of India’s Constituent Assembly’s Drafting Committee. His contribution to the Indian Constitution is enormous. He worked to ensure that the Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms to all Indian citizens, regardless of caste, creed, or religion.
Work for Social Upliftment
BR Ambedkar worked tirelessly to improve a lot of India’s socially backward classes. In 1936, he founded the Independent Labour Party to fight for workers’ rights. He also founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to advocate for the rights of the untouchables. Ambedkar believed that education was the key to the advancement of the socially backward classes, and he worked to make it available to them.
BR Ambedkar and Buddhism
BR Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in 1956 along with thousands of his followers. He believed that Buddhism was a religion of equality and that it provided a way out of the caste system. He saw Buddhism as a way to uplift the socially backward classes in India.
Legacy of BR Ambedkar
The legacy of BR Ambedkar is enormous. Throughout his life, he fought for social justice, equality, and human rights. His contribution to the Indian Constitution is significant, and it has aided India in becoming a democratic and secular country. He inspired many people, particularly those from the socially disadvantaged classes, to fight for their rights and work for social justice. His teachings and ideas continue to inspire people all over India and the world today.
Ambedkar Jayanti
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated every year on 14th April to commemorate the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. It is a national holiday in India, and people from all walks of life pay tribute to this great social reformer. The day is marked by cultural programs, speeches, and rallies to spread the message of equality and social justice.
Personal Life of BR Ambedkar
BR Ambedkar was married to Ramabai Ambedkar, who was also a social activist. They had five children together. Ambedkar faced many challenges in his personal life, including discrimination from his own community members. However, he never let these challenges deter him from his mission of fighting for social justice.
Awards and Honours
BR Ambedkar received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1990, nearly four decades after his death. In 1991, he was posthumously awarded the Columbia University Medal for Excellence for his contributions to economics.
Interesting Facts about BR Ambedkar
- BR Ambedkar was the first Indian to pursue a doctorate in Economics abroad.
- He was the first Law Minister of Independent India.
- He was a prolific writer and wrote extensively on various topics, including social justice, human rights, and economics.
- He was the architect of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is India’s central banking institution.
- He was an advocate of women’s rights and believed in gender equality.
Quotes by BR Ambedkar
- “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.”
- “I do not want that our loyalty as Indians should be in the slightest way affected by any competitive loyalty whether that loyalty arises out of our religion, out of our culture or out of our language.”
- “Caste is not a physical object like a wall of bricks or a line of barbed wire which prevents the Hindus from co-mingling and which has, therefore, to be pulled down. Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind.”
Conclusion
BR Ambedkar was a social reformer with a vision who dedicated his life to fighting for social justice, equality, and human rights. His contributions to the Indian Constitution have been enormous, and he has helped India become a democratic and secular country. Even today, his teachings and ideas continue to inspire people all over the world, particularly those from lower socioeconomic classes.
