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Born on April 14th, 1891, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian nationalist,
jurist, Dalit leader, and Buddhist revivalist. But most importantly, he was the
chief architect of the Indian constitution. Born into a poor family, he spent his
entire life fighting social discrimination against the lower castes. He overcomes
numerous social and financial obstacles to become the first "untouchable" to
obtain a college degree. He went on to earn a degree in law, and then doctorates
in economics, and political science.
Throughout his early life, Ambedkar was subjected to intense social
discrimination; but his father who had received some formal education
encouraged all his children to go through school. He also gave them a thorough
knowledge of the Indian classics. Though Ambedkar attended school, he faced
segregation by the teachers as well as the upper caste students, he too like other
untouchable children, was not allowed to touch the earthen jar containing water.
If there was no peon to pour him a drink, he went thirsty.
As he entered college in Bombay, he became increasingly disturbed by the
discrimination that he faced. Though, exceling in academics, he was still treated
as an "untouchable" by most people. After completing his degree in economics
and political science in the USA, he was recognized as a leading Indian
scholar and was invited to chair the committee set up to draft the constitution of
India. He became independent India’s first law minister and was conferred the
Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990. He relentlessly fought for the promotion of
education and the socio-economic upliftment of the depressed classes. He
launched active movements against untouchability and started public protests to
open and share public drinking water resources. He also began a struggle for the
right to enter Hindu temples. He strongly believed that "God helps those who help
themselves and being an untouchable was no excuse for remaining a
suppressed and backward community. They had to improve their way of living
through education, organization, and agitation."
When drafting the constitution he drew his inspiration from the Buddhist
scriptures which he had read extensively. Voting by ballots, rules of debate, and
the formation of committees was incorporated from these scriptures. Thus,
Ambedkar drew up a constitution that was shaped upon western models but was
Indian in spirit. In it, he provided a number of clauses that would help eradicate
socio-economic inequalities and lack of opportunities. He also sought to expound
gender equality in laws of inheritance, marriage, and equality.
Ambedkar was a major influence in transforming the way India looks at socio-economic policies today.
Regarded highly as a scholar, he passionately believed in the freedom of the individual.
He was highly critical of any caste system and his conversion to Buddhism played a vital role in the revival of Buddhism in India and abroad.
He remained an important member of the Rajya Sabha until his death on 6th December 1956.