B.R. Ambedkar: Father of Indian the Constitution
14th April is celebrated as the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar the great Indian nationalist, father of the Indian Constitution, and the pioneer of the oppressed people. In this article, I am going to discuss and mention some of his most remarkable statements that he wrote in his books which are important to be considered for contemporary Indian society and democracy.
"Charity of knowledge is the greatest charity", as said by ancient Vedic philosophers, is still applicable in the modern world. The most living part of modernity is the sacrifices and dedication of the prominent personalities of the past, who understood the aim of their lives and contributed in varied spheres of human life and society by the means of their ideas, inventions, thoughts, and philosophy. A similar personality, who is the pioneer of the oppressed classes and the chief architect of the Indian constitution was Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar ji. The World view
There are numerous lenses to see the world, like animals, see it differently than humans do. Similarly, humans have different areas of interests and hold different lenses to see the world and its philosophy, but once a Guru of mine told me that the true lens to see the world and its philosophy should be colorless without any mixing, and elucidated that only then one could understand the same and apply those to their own life and justify the aim of revealing something new and learning from it.
B.R. Ambedkar was born in Madhya Pradesh's Mahu district in 1891 and his work reflects the hardships, challenges, and success of his life. The most appropriate method to understand his work is not reading about someone's interpretation but making one of your own by reading his original work and quotes. Simple paraphrasing can give an exact idea of his impeccable contribution to India. The Words of B.R Ambedkar
"We need to build our way ourselves; political power cannot be the solution to the problem of exploitation of innocent people. Their victory lies in the achievement of their appropriate status in the society."
He was the first Law Minister of India and had a keen interest in politics, economics, psychology, religion, socialism, and law. He wrote many books, for example, Riddles of Hinduism, Pakistan, or the Partition of India, which are prominent even today.
Some well-known quotes of his are-
"The fundamental difference between animals and humans is that the former is not able to think of its development whereas the latter can think and do the same."
"My Dharma is independence, equality, and fraternity"
"Purity in thought should be the soul and end of human life."
"No man can be grateful at the cost of his honor; no women can be grateful at the cost of her chastity; and no nation can be grateful at the cost of its independence."
"Cultural unity of India is deeper than any other European nation"
"Democracy is a way of life, and it must have a spiritual basis".
His idea of democracy and the notion of social justice is based on Vedic non-duality. According to him (as mentioned in his book), the Mahakavyas of the Upanishads contain the spiritual basics:
1. Aham Brahmasmi. (I am Brahman)
2. Tat tvam asi. (That is what you are)
3. Sarvam kalvidam brahman. (All of this is Brahman)
- Riddles of Hinduism.
"People speak the origin of democracy in Greek and Christian lands, it is a very shaky principle."
- Riddles of Hinduism.
"Those who consider themselves belonging to Pakistan were hostile to Hindustan. " And "Hindustan is more united to Burma than Pakistan".
At the end of his life, he accepted Buddhism as his Religion, giving a golden message to his numerous followers that, " I am not converting for some physical profit, as if I remain an untouchable then also there is nothing I can't achieve, but for only my spiritual view." and he viewed Buddhism as an extension of Upanishadic teachings.
He was a man of honor, hard work, and dedication, and said, "Thoughts and soul are imperishable, no human is immortal but we can leave our thoughts, ideas and philosophy as a guide for the coming generation" and this is how his teachings remain alive even in the contemporary times.