Unknown Facts About "Founding Father Of Modern India" -- Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Unknown facts about Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar

It is a very tremendous happy for me because my six compiled unknown articles about Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has reached many people in Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. Most of the facts about Babasaheb are unknown to the common people, even to the well educated also. I can proudly say here, after my article I found many changes in the Wikipedia page of B. R. Ambedkar. I feel this as my great respect to Babasaheb and shut the mouths of half-baked fellows who always keep shouting against him and branded him as a leader of some section. Thank you all for supporting...!!! 

If Babasaheb had born in any other nation, the concerned nation would have taken pride on him and would have provided countless awards for his contribution in the various field to the nation. He is one of the persons in India with multi dimensional. After all he was born in ‘India’. So, we can not expect anything from here.
Particularly the following articles have been reached many people through the Social Media; 1) Unknown facts about "Founding Father Of Modern India" - Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, 2) "Saviour Of Labour Rights in India" - Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and 3) Progress for the society is measured by progress of women.

As an Indian and a youth, it is my pleasure and very proud to share again in my blog about the unknown facts of "Founding Father Of Modern India" - REVOLUTIONARY DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR. * Prof. Amartya Sen, 6th Indian to get the prestigious Nobel Prize winning economist claimed, "Dr. Ambedkar is my Father in Economics" * Hindu Code Bill:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar resigned from the post of the first Law Minister of Independent India when his 'Hindu Code Bill' a women's Rights for Indian Women was dropped by the then Prime Minister Nehru. But None of the women’s organisation talks about it. The contribution of Babasaheb for the women empowerment in India is totally ignored and hiding. For three years, he fought to get the Bill passed. It was the greatest ever social reform in India. It is nothing but the declaration of women rights. It spoke of giving back dignity to Indian women and giving equal rights to men and women. They are Rights to property, Order of succession to property, marriage, divorce, guardianship. It was by any time a revolutionary measure and first step towards the recognition and empowerment of women in India. By these, a women will have property in her own right and be able to dispose of her property. The orthodox in the ruling party led by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee didn’t allow this bill to be passed. Even the woman member Sarojani against for these women rights.
* As a Labour Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council between 1942 and 1946, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar framed many laws for Women labour's in India. They are, a. Mines Maternity Benefit Act, b. Women Labour welfare fund, c. Women and Child, Labour Protection Act, d. Maternity Benefit for women Labour, e. Restoration of Ban on Employment of Women on Underground work in Coal Mines, f. Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's role for 'Maternity Benefit Act' and 'Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex';

a) Maternity Benefit Act:
I don't know how many Indian women knows the contribution of Revolutionary Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar's major role for the Maternity Benefits bill in the Bombay legislature in July, 1928 itself for the factory women workers. In fact it was the first Maternity Benefits Act passed in India in 1929 by the Bombay legislature. On this regard he said, "I believe that it is in the interests of the nation that the mother ought to get a certain amount of rest during the Pre-natal period and also subsequently. I am prepared to admit this fact because the conservation of the people's welfare is primarily the concern of the Government. And in every country, therefore, where the maternity benefit has been introduced, you will find that the Government has been subjected to a certain amount of charge with regard to maternity benefit. I think, therefore, the benefits contemplated by this bill ought to be given by this Legislature to the poor women who toil in our factories in this Presidency." Subsequently the Madras Maternity Benefit Act was passed by the Madras Legislature Council in 1934 and subsequently in other provinces of India. As a Labour Minister in the Viceroy executive council between 1942 and 1946, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in bringing the Mines Maternity Benefit Bill for women in all over India. Under this act, a woman working in the mine is entitled to maternity benefit for a period of 8 weeks. This period of 8 weeks is divided into two parts of four weeks each, one part preceding delivery and another part succeeding delivery. Later all the acts of Maternity Benefit of various states were repealed and a common Maternity Benefit Act-1961 was adopted by the Central Government for all states in India.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and Maternity Benefit for Women

b) Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex: Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the first person who brought "Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex" in India in terms of Industrial workers as a Labour Minister in the Viceroy executive council.
On this regard he said, "We have also taken care to see, and this is an important point, that women shall be paid the same wages as men. It is for the first time that I think in any industry the principle has been established of equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex." ( In Tamil: "ஆண்களுக்கு அளிக்கப்படும் அதே ஊதியம் பெண்களுக்கு வழங்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்பதில் நாங்கள் கவனமாக இருந்தோம். இது ஒரு முக்கியமான விசியமாகும். பால் பாகுபாடின்றி சம வேலைக்கு சம ஊதியம் என்னும் கோட்பாடு வேறு எந்த தொழிலும் இல்லாதவாறு இத்தொழில்தான் முதல் முறையாக நிலைநாட்டப்பட்டது" ) While drafting the Indian Constitution, Babasaheb played major contribution for embodied the Article 39(d) relates the state to strive for securing equal pay for equal work of both men and women in the Part IV of the directive principles of the State Policy.


* Finance Commission of India and its reports:
The original source of reference for all the Finance Commission of India reports in a way, are based on Babasaheb’s Ph.D thesis, "The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India", written in 1923. The man who started the provision for finance commission every 5 years in the Indian Constitution was none other than Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

* Right to Vote:
Now all Indians have right to vote without bias in gender or caste or class or literacy or religion. It was Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who voiced as the first person in India for the 'Universal Adult Franchise' before the Southborough Commission for all Indians without bias in gender, Caste, Class, literacy and religion. I don't know how many Indians know, it was because of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who conferred the fundamentals of democratic principle 'Adult franchise' in the Indian social reality i.e. right to vote to every Indian without any discrimination through the Indian Constitution. For this, Babasaheb Ambedkar faced the radical problem from Mr. Vallabhai Patel.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and  Voting Rights To All Indian Women

                   
* Voting Rights To All Indian Women:
Today our constitution granted voting rights to all Indian women as a right, because of Babasaheb. But before the Independent India, it is not an easy task for everyone 'right to vote' even for the men also. Mostly the Right to vote was given only to those who were the rich, who owned lands and the tax payers.
* Reserve Bank of India:
The Reserve Bank of India was conceptualized based on the guidelines presented by Dr. Babasaheb to the Hilton Young Commission in 1925. His Ph.D thesis, "The Problem of the Rupee- Its Problems and Its Solution” was the reference tool and guidelines for the RBI Act 1934.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and 'Thoughts on Linguistic States'

               
* Thoughts on Linguistic States:

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar book, "Thoughts on Linguistic States", was written in 1955. His ideas were proved right and his assessment of the creation of new states in the federal polity is relevant in post-Independent India. Babasaheb seemed to have solutions to all such problems. He had recommended to the "States Reorganisation Commission" in the year 1955 for the division of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Further, he envisaged the division of Uttar Pradesh into three States (Western, Central and Eastern); Bihar split into two, with Patna and Ranchi as the capitals. (North and South or present Jharkhand); Madhya Pradesh into two (Northern and Southern); and Maharashtra into three (Western,Central and Eastern). One of his major proposals was to make Hyderabad the second capital of India because of the centrality of location, as a junction of North and South, and on defence considerations. After almost 45 years both states Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were formed in the year 2000. Now Telangana state in 2014.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Constituent Assembly Entry:

Many fellows wrongly thought that Dr. Babasaheb's inclusion into constituent assembly was by Mr. Gandhi. But the entry of Babasaheb was mainly due to his professional approach, his excellent knowledge of constitution and his great work in "States and Minorities" which is a part foundation of our constitution today and his love over our Nation. The work done by Babasaheb in various sub-committees ( Advisory Committee, Fundamental Rights sub-committee, Minorities sub-committee, Union Constitution Committee ) of the Constitutional Assembly were considered very useful. He submitted a memorandum to the Fundamental Rights sub-committee in which he gave concrete shape ideas. This memorandum was later published for wider circulation under the title 'States and Minorities, what are their rights and how to secure them in the Constitution of free India'.

* Myth behind the Reservation and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar:
Many illiterate says,"Dr. Ambedkar created the reservation only for ten years". I ask them, did they ever read or know about what Poona Pact mean..?? If not, first go and read about what the Poona Pact mean and broad yourself who created the present Reservation. Of course it was created by Mr. Mohandas Gandhi who fast unto death and denied the rights of Scheduled Class / Scheduled Tribes section from getting the Separate Representation. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar voiced for the separate representation only. The then Prime Minister of Britain, Ramsay Macdonald agreed it for not only Scheduled Class / Scheduled Tribes but also for Muslims, Sikhs, Anglo-Indians and Christians. Mr. Gandhi had no problem for the separate representation to Muslims and Sikhs but was against the separate representation to Scheduled Class / Scheduled Tribes, Anglo-Indians and Christians. No such dark face of Gandhi was screened in the Gandhi film. Mr.Gandhi and his co forced Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for the agreement of Poona Pact. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar wished to end up the reserved constituency only after 10 years. Because he believed that they [MPs and MLAs] point out their voices of their problems in Parliament and state legislatures. But the result was different. Instead they were all chanting for their representing parties. In terms of education and jobs, he never said to end up after 10 years. He wished...... Reservation system will be prevailing, till Untouchability and the Caste system exists.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and O.B.C:
Due to the indifferent of Jawaharlal Nehru cabinet on Article 340 which specifies the rights of OBC, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar tendered his resignation from the Independent India’s first Law Minister on September 27, 1951. He mentioned various reasons in his resignation statement. One of the reasons he had dissatisfied with the Government which it related over the neglect and the treatment accorded to the Other Backward Classes and the Scheduled Class / Scheduled Tribes. He said that the Constitution did not embody any safeguards for the Backward Classes not even appointing the Backward Class Commission.

* Independent India's First Law Minister.

* Only an Indian whose photo in the London Museum alongside Karl Marx.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Ashoka Dhamma Chakra:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental for incorporating the wheel of Dhamma chakra or Ashoka Chakra in Navy Blue in the National Flag of India. To select Flag for Independent India, on 23 June 1947 the Constituent Assembly of India set up an Ad hoc committee headed by Rajendra Prasad with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sarojini, Rajagopalachari and K. M. Munshi as its members. On 22 July 1947, the present form (Four Colours viz., Saffron, White, Green and Navy Blue Chakra) of the National Flag of India was adopted. The spinning wheel of the Congress Flag was replaced by the Chakra (wheel) from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at its centre.

Babasaheb and National Flag of India

* Chief architect of Indian Constitution.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's inspiration for writing his "The Buddha and His Dhamma" was none other than Lakshmi Narasu work “The Essence Of Buddhism” from Madras. Prof. Lakshmi Narasu was the disciple and close associate of Pandit Iyothee Thass.
* Revolutionary and a Revivalist for our Indian origin 'BUDDHISM' in Modern India again after Bodhisattva Pandit Iyothee Thass.
* He who fired publicly the mythology book 'Manusmriti' in December 1927.

             

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar's Educational Qualification

* 1st Indian who graduated D.Sc in Economics. * 1st Ph.D in Economics and 1st double doctorate in Economics in South Asia.

* EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS;
1) Passed 10th Matriculation in 1907 from Elphinstone High School. He scored 282 out of 750 Marks. 2) B.A - (Politics and Economics) Bombay University in 1912. 
3) M.A - (Economics - For his thesis ‘Ancient Indian Commerce’) in America in 1915. 4) Ph.D - (Economics - For his thesis ‘The evolution of provincial finance in British India’) in Columbia University, America in 1917. 5) D.Sc - (Thesis - ‘Problem of the Rupee - Its origin and its solution’) in London School of Economics in 1923. 6) M.Sc – (Economics – For his thesis ‘Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance in British India’) London. 7) Bar-At-Law - Gray’s Inn in London, 1923. 8 ) Political Economics - Germany. 9) LLD - (Honoris) Columbia University, New York, For his achievements of leadership and authoring the Constitution of India. 10) D.Litt - (Honoris) Osmania University, Hyderabad, For his achievements, Leadership and writing the constitution of India. 11) 1st Indian who graduated D.Sc in Economics. 12) 1st Ph.D in Economics and 1st double doctorate in Economics in South Asia. * OTHER TITLES; Great Constitutionalist, a Greatest Revolutionary, Boddhisatva, a parliamentarian, Economist, Sociologist, Great politician, Indian Jurist, Buddhist activist, Philosopher, Thinker, Anthropologist, Historian, Orator, Prolific writer, Social reformer.

* As a Labour leader and Labour Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council between 1942 and 1946, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar framed many laws for labour in India. They are,

Labours Rights and Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar

           1) Reduction in Factory Working Hours (8 hours duty): Today the working hours per day is about 8 hours in India. Really I do not know how many Indians know that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the Saviour of Labour who brought '8 hours Working' duty in India. He successfully changed the working time from 12 hours a day to 8 hours, and became a light for workers in India. He brought it on the 7th session of Indian Labour Conference in New Delhi, November 27, 1942.
The Indian Labour Conference, consisting of the representatives of Central and Provincial Governments, important states and employers and workers organisations unanimously supported the principle of the 48-hour week in India's factories at its meeting.

The Text of speech of Babasaheb, "It emphasized that the present was an opportune moment for taking up this question because there was a need for giving relief to factory workers. Moreover, shorter hours would lead to greater employment. The memorandum made it clear that the reduction in hours should not be accompanied by any reduction in basic wages or dearness allowances unless there was a fall in prices"

May Day and Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar

           
2) Tripartite Labour Conference:
On August 7, 1942 he called for the Tripartite Labour Conference in New Delhi. The objects were namely, the laying down of a procedure for the settlement of industrial disputes and the discussion of all matters of All-India importance as between Labour and Capital. The great achievement of the Tripartite Conference is the fundamental change it has brought about in the outlook of Government and of Employers and of Employees on labour problems, Establishment of Employment Exchanges, and Collection of Statistics under the Industrial Statistics Act.

The Text of speech of Dr. Babasaheb,"I do claim credit for the Tripartite Labour Conference, that, if we have done nothing more, we have at least done one thing, namely, to induce, if not to compel, the representatives of employees to meet the representatives of employers and discuss matters of the utmost and gravest importance."

3) Industrial Disputes:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in setting up the two bodies 1) Plenary Conference and 2) Standing Advisory Committee to discuss the industrial problems of Labour Welfare both in their legislative and administrative aspects and also to advise the Government of India as to the most satisfactory line of action in dealing with those problems.

4) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar framed many laws for Women Labourers in India: 1. Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 2. Women Labour welfare fund, 3. Women and Child Labour Protection Act, 4. Maternity Benefit for women Labour, 5. Restoration of Ban on Employment of Women on Underground Work in Coal Mines,
6. Equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex: On this regard he said, "We have also taken care to see, and this is an important point, that women shall be paid the same wages as men. It is for the first time that I think in any industry the principle has been established of equal pay for equal work irrespective of the sex."

5) Compulsory Recognition of Trade Unions: Indian Trade Unions Act was enacted in 1926. This act helped only to register the trade unions, not approved by the government. On 8 November, 1943 he brought the Indian Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill for compulsory recognition of trade unions. The Bill had three important features. They are to compel an employer to recognize a trade union, to imposes certain conditions on a trade union in order to make the trade union, to make non-recognition by an employer of a trade union, which has observed all the conditions prescribed in this measure and which has therefore qualified itself for recognition, an offence which is made punishable by law. 6) Employment Exchange in India:

Babasaheb was instrumental in bringing the establishment of employment exchanges. The Employment Exchanges was set up to helped the resettlement and employment of demobilised Services personnel and discharged war workers during the transition period. It also helped the mutual benefit to employers and employment-seekers and will ensure satisfactory distribution of manpower among various branches of production. 

7) Employees State Insurance (ESI): ESI helps the workers with medical care, medical leave, physically disabled during working injuries as compensation Insurance for providing various facilities. Babasaheb enacted and brought it for the benefit of workers. Actually India only brought ‘Insurance Act’ as the first nation among the South Asian countries. Credit goes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for the ESI concept.
8 ) Finance Commission of India and its reports:
The original source of reference for all the Finance Commission of India reports in a way, are based on Dr. Babasaheb’s Ph.D thesis, "The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India", written in 1923. The man who started the provision for finance commission every 5 years in the Indian Constitution was none other than Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

9) Reserve Bank of India: The Reserve Bank of India was conceptualized based on the guidelines presented by Dr. Babasaheb to the Hilton Young Commission in 1925. His Ph.D thesis, "The Problem of the Rupee- Its Problems and Its Solution” was the reference tool and guidelines for the RBI Act 1934. 

10) Minimum Wages:
For fixing minimum wages for labour, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in drafting legislation on November 28, 1942.

11) Coal and Mica Mines Provident Fund:

* At the time, Coal Industry played a vital role in our country’s economy. Due to this, Babasaheb enacted the Coal Mines Safety (Stowing) Amendment Bill for the benefit of the workers on January 31st, 1944.

* On 8th April 1945, he brought the Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund which helped the workers with housing, water supplies, education, entertainment, improvement of educational facilities and standards of living among the workers, including nutrition, amelioration of social conditions and the provision of recreation and transport facilities, the improvement of public health and sanitation, the prevention of disease, the provision of medical facilities.

12) Post-war Development of Electric Power in India:

For the problems relating to the post-war development, Lord Linlithgow was set up the Reconstruction Committee of Council under the chairmanship of J. P. Srivastava. The Reconstruction Committee of Council was set up five different Reconstruction Committees. Among these committee, (Reconstruction Policy Committee) Public Works and Electric Power was under the chairmanship of Dr. Babasaheb. Problems relating to the post-war development of electric power in India were discussed by the Reconstruction Policy Committee. This Committee studied the problems connected with electric power and to make a recommendation as to the best way of solving them. 

Dr. Babasaheb emphasized that the country needed “cheap and abundant electricity”, without which no effort for industrialization could succeed and development of irrigation and electric power were essential to raise agricultural productivity. 

Dr. Babasaheb was instrumental in creating the department of power and advocated autonomous state electricity boards. He was also of the opinion that the central government should have the option to participate directly in the production and supply of electricity. In the early 1980s the concept of regional grids which was suggested by Dr. Babasaheb, was being extended to the creation of national 'Grid System'. His initiatives subsequently led to the creation of a Power Supply Department at the Centre.

On October 25, 1943 at New Delhi he said, "I emphasize these considerations because what India wants is an assured supply of power, cheap power and abundant power." He added electricity should be a purely provincial subject. Further, "I make a few observations pointing out the significance of and the ultimate objective that lies behind the need for electrical development in India ? It is necessary that those who are placed in charge of the subject should have the fullest realization of its significance and its objective. If you agree with me in this I will request you to ask yourselves the question, ' Why do we want cheap and abundant electricity in India ? ' The answer is that without cheap an abundant electricity no effort for the industrialization of India can succeed. This answer brings out only a part of the significance of the work this Committee has to undertake."

13) Indian Statistical Law: In 1942, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar passed the Indian Statistical Act. Later D.K. Paisendry ( Former Deputy Principal, Information Officer, Government of India) said in his book, without Dr. Babasaheb’s Indian Statistical Act he could not formulated the Labor conditions, their wage rates, other Income, Inflation, debt, housing, employment, deposits and other funds, labour disputes.

14) Labour Welfare Funds: Babasaheb set up an Advisory Committee to advise on matters arising out of the Labour Welfare under B.P. Agarkar. Later he promulgated it on January, 1944.

15) Technical Training Scheme and Skilled Workers:

He was instrumental in set up the best Technical Training Scheme for Workers in India. On August 24, 1944 in Calcutta, " No plan for the future development of the country can be deemed to be complete which does not provide for technical and scientific training. This is the age of Machine and it is only those countries in which technical and scientific training has risen to the highest pitch that will survive in the struggle that will commence when the war is over, for maintaining decent standards of living for their people. The Technical Training Scheme not only maintained but extended all over the country and become a permanent part of the country's educational system".

16) Foundation for Water resources and Electricity development in India :

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar laid the foundation for water resources and electricity development, the two sectors which are so crucial for the development of India when he was Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy during 1942- 1946. His major achievement was the establishment of two technical organizations, presently known as ‘Central Water Commission’ and ‘Central Electricity Authority’, that have contributed for the development of irrigation and power in the country. 

The proposal for creation of Central Irrigation, Waterways Advisory Board was approved by Babasaheb in September 1944. Subsequently, it became Central Waterways, Irrigation, and Navigation Commission (CWINC) and was approved by Dr.Babasaheb in April 1945. It became Central Water Power, Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWPINC) on 16th January 1948 and subsequently it became Central Water and Power Commission (CWPC) in April 1951. It was bifurcated into Central Water Commission and Central Electricity Authority in October 1974.

He only created the Central Technical Power Board (CTPB) on 8th November 1944 for power system development, hydro power station sites, hydro-electric surveys, analysing problems of electricity generation and thermal power station investigation which was subsequently merged with CWPINC and became Central Water and Power Commission (CWPC) in April 1951.

He laid the foundation for the development of infrastructure in India such as electric power, irrigation, communication, roads and transport services and technical manpower were treated as prerequisites for industrial and agricultural development. He suggested interlinking of major south Indian rivers. He was man of Vision and foresight. While drafting the constitution of India, he has not put water resources and management entirely in the state list but he had concluded this subject under the provision of central control. 17) Instrumental in creating the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects and Large Dam Technologies in India:

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who was the Instrumental in creating the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects and Large Dam Technologies in India. If there any person who played the most central role in introducing large dam technologies and Multi Purpose Projects into India, the person was none other than Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. According to Petty minded Indians, Babasaheb is mostly related only with two things. One is ‘Architect of Indian Constitution’ and other as the leader of some particular section. But “Founding Father of Modern India” who contributed in the various field to our nation is totally ignored and hiding.

Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar and Multipurpose River Valley projects in India

           
After all how many Indians know Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was instrumental in creating and outlined the projects such as,
1) Damodar Valley project ( the first multipurpose river valley project in India ) in 1944 on the lines of Tennessee Valley Authority,
2) Bhakra-Nangal dam ( India's biggest multipurpose river valley project, Highest gravity dam in India ),
3) The Sone River Valley projects and

4) Hirakud dam ( Longest dam in India )

Babasaheb introduced the idea of establishment of Multipurpose river projects in India who was influenced on the lines of Tennessee Valley project. He was the 1st person in India has make effort for the establishment of Damodar Valley project. He was the pioneer of Multipurpose river projects in India. a) Damodar Valley project: Damodar valley is known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' because of the problems of flooding. To tackle the problem Babasaheb had entrusted the work of planning and designing to Central Power Board set up the machinery and directed the planners, engineers who executed the plan prepared under his guidance. Till 1946, the responsibility for the Damodar Valley project was under Babasaheb. Afterwards the entire work for the dam was given over to Damodar Development Corporation.

Here I just extract the address speech of Dr.Babasaheb before the representatives of Bengal and Bihar Governments at a Conference held in Calcutta on January 3 , 1944 to discuss the means and methods for developing Damodar Valley as a Member, Labour, Irrigation and Electric Power Department in the Executive Council of the Viceroy. He said, "The Damodar project must be a multi-purpose project. We intend that it should not only deal with the problem caused by floods, it should also provide for irrigation, electricity and navigation. Along with the question of a site, these matters have also to be examined."

On April 23 and 24, 1945 at New Delhi under the Chairmanship of the Babasaheb, Rs. 55 crores was recommended to Damodar River Project for starting immediately the construction of the first dam (at Tilaiya). After considering the reports of the Central Technical Power Board and the advice of the Tennessee Valley Authority engineers, Ross Reigel and Fred C. Schlemmer, and their associates, Rai Bahadur A. N. Khosia and Mr. M. Narasimhaiya, Chief Engineer, Mysore State, the conference was convinced-of the advisability of pushing forward as rapidly as possible the scheme as a whole. It has accepted the proposal that the dams across the Barakar, tributary of the Damodar, should be at Tilaiya (near Kodarma) and at Maithon, just above its confluence with the main river.

b) Multi-purpose Plan for Development of Orissa's Rivers: In 1945, the plan outlined under the chairmanship of Dr.Babasaheb, it was decided to invest in the potential benefits of controlling Odisha rivers particularly Mahanadi for the multipurpose use to conserve water, serve irrigation, generating electric power etc., Mr. B. K. Gokhale, Adviser, the then H. E. to the Governor of Orissa, welcomed the plan outlined by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to invest in the potential benefits of controlling Odisha rivers particularly Mahanadi for the multipurpose use to conserve water, serve irrigation, generating electric power etc., and said: " Orissa is perhaps the most backward part of India and no single project is likely to do more to improve the conditions of the people than the multipurpose development which we have under contemplation. He outlined the history of Orissa up to modern times. Orissa expected that the thought which had been given to planning and regional development would start her on an era of happiness and prosperity."

c) Bhakra Dam project: A major initiative was taken by Dr.Babasaheb when he was member in-charge of irrigation and power during 1942-46. He made concrete steps to see that the Bhakra Dam project should be taken up on priority. An expert from the United States Bureau of Reclamation in 1944 was invited, who after examining the feasibility report recommended that the dam site was suitable for the construction of a dam with maximum reservoir level at 487.68 m and suggested further exploration for foundation and abutments. This work was carried out during 1945-46, while Babasaheb was the Member of Irrigation of the Viceroy’s Council.

18) Dearness Allowance (DA) 19) Holidays with Pay for Factory Workers 20) Health Insurance for Industrial Workers 21) The Legal Strike. 22) Provident Fund Act. 23) Revision of Scale of Pay for Employees. Babasaheb believed that caste is not merely the division of labour but division of labourers based upon the graded inequality. Further in his work ‘Annihilation of Caste’, Babasaheb said: “ In no other country is the division of labour accompanied by this gradation of labourers. There is also a third point of criticism against this view of the Caste System. This division of labour is not spontaneous; it is not based on natural aptitudes. Social and individual efficiency requires us to develop the capacity of an individual to the point of competency to choose and to make his own career. This principle is violated in the Caste System in so far as it involves an attempt to appoint tasks to individuals in advance, selected not on the basis of trained original capacities, but on that of the social status of the parents. Looked at from another point of view this stratification of occupations which is the result of the Caste System is positively pernicious. Industry is never static. It undergoes rapid and abrupt changes. With such changes an individual must be free to change his occupation. Without such freedom to adjust himself to changing circumstances it would be impossible for him to gain his livelihood. Now the Caste System will not allow Hindus to take to occupations where they are wanted if they do not belong to them by heredity. If a Hindu is seen to starve rather than take to new occupations not assigned to his Caste, the reason is to be found in the Caste System. By not permitting readjustment of occupations, caste becomes a direct cause of much of the unemployment we see in the country. As a form of division of labour the Caste system suffers from another serious defect. The division of labour brought about by the Caste System is not a division based on choice. Individual sentiment, individual preference has no place in it. It is based on the dogma of predestination.”

The speech delivered by Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar, Member for Labour, at the first session of the Plenary Labour Conference in New Delhi, Monday, September 6 1944: "It will not be enough to make industrial development of India as our goal. We shall have to agree that any such industrial development shall be maintained at a socially desirable level. It will not be enough to bend our energies for the production of more wealth in India. We shall have to agree not merely to recognise the basic right of all Indians to share in that wealth as a means for a decent and dignified existence but to devise ways and means to insure him against insecurity."

With regards, Ambeth, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu.
Jai bheem..! Long Live Ambedkarism....!! Reference:
1) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches; * Volume 1- Thoughts on Linguistic States.
* Volume 1 - Annihilation of Caste.
* Volume 2 - Dr. Ambedkar in the Bombay Legislature (1927 to 1939)
* Tamil Volume 18/ English Volume 10 - Dr. Ambedkar as Member of the Governor-General’s Executive Council (1942-1946). * Volume 13 - Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar - 'The Principal Architect of the Constitution of India'. * Volume14 - Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Hindu Code Bill. * Volume 17, Part III - Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches.
2) A Tamil article by Tamil Maraiyan.
3) "Ambedkar Speaks" by Dr. Narendra Jadhav.

Prominent Buddhists And the Scheduled Classes Women In India.

Prominent Buddhists and Scheduled Classes Women in India.

“I measure the progress of the society by the degree of progress which women have achieved”

( In Tamil ) "பெண்கள் அடைந்திருக்கும் முன்னேற்ற அளவை வைத்துதான் ஒரு சமுதாயத்தின் முன்னேற்றத்தை நான் அளவிடுகிரேன்".

~ Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's contribution was great in the field of women's empowerment in India. He advocated for the liberation of women and gender equality in India. If there any person who worked for women's liberation in India via confirmed law effort, that person was none other than Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Without Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, at least whatever changes the position of women today in India would be only a question mark. There were many leaders who fought for women's rights in India. Most of them failed in their actions. But Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the person who changed the effort via Law.

As a youth I am very proud to share about our gems, intellectuals and glorious women in various field. Let learn it and teach everyone especially to our younger women.

* Maha Pajapati Gotami - The first Buddhist nun ordained by the Buddha. 

* Videesha Mahadevi Shakyakumari – The first Empress of the Mauryan Empire and the wife of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. She is remembered for Sanchi Stupa and is credited with being a major factor for her husband's conversion to Buddhism. She was the only Buddhist Empress of India.

* Sanghamitta - Daughter of Emperor Ashoka. With her brother Mahinda, she went to Sri Lanka to spread the teachings of Buddha at the request of King Devanampiya Tissa who was a contemporary of Ashoka.

* Auvaiyar I - World famous Tamil Poet. She was the royal Poet of the Prince of Thagadur i,e Athiaman Neduman Anji, the Buddhist ruler who was fond of Avvaiyar. (Presently named as Dharmapuri once called as Dhammapuri. It is my district of Tamil Nadu). Her poems are found in the Purananuru, Kurunthogai and Natrinai.

* Soyarabai - A saint from Maharashtra who framed large literature in Marathi. She was the wife of Saint Chokhamela.

* Nirmala - A saint from Maharashtra whose writings are largely describe the injustice and inequalities she suffered as a result of the caste system. She was the younger sister of the Saint Chokhamela.

* Kuyili - The brave woman who was the first human bomb in India against the British. She was the army commander of Velu Nachiar, the queen of Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu. Her brave act paves the way for Nachiyar’s victory against the British.

* Jhalkaribai - A soldier in the women's army of Queen Laxmibai of Jhansi who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 during the battle of Jhansi. She started her career as an ordinary soldier in Laxmibai's army, but rose to a position of advising the queen and participating in vital decisions. During the rebellion, at the height of the battle of fort of Jhansi, she disguised herself as the queen and fought on the front to let the queen escape safely out of the fort.

* Aranganayaki Ammal - Diwan Bahadur Rettaimalai Srinivasan’s wife. She was mainly responsible for his services to the depressed classes. She was a kind and social minded woman which made Thatha Srinivasanar to carry on his mission successfully.

* Tiruppugal Ammal - One of the leaders of the Scheduled Classes in the early 20th century. She actively involved in the Adi-Dravida Mahajana Sabha, the earliest depressed classes organization in India. In 1917, along with Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah a deputation consisting of Tiruppugal Ammal presented a memorandum to Montagu and Chelmsford, asking for a change in the name of the Depressed Classes and demanding communal representation and increase the franchise for the Depressed Classes.

Annai Meenambal Sivaraj and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

* Annai Meenambal Sivaraj - National level Scheduled Classes woman leader. She was the first woman President of 'All India SCF'. She gave the title “PERIYAR” (Great one) to E.V. RAMASAMY in a women conference in Victoria public hall near to Moore Market, Madras on 13th November 1938. She presided over the SCF women’s conference held at Madras, in 1944, which was attended by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Also she presided over the All India SCF women’s conference held at Bombay, on May 6th, 1945. She advocated the role of education powerfully. Also she exhorted the women audience to actively take part in social uplift of the community, educate their children, advised to struggle to liberate themselves from Untouchability, casteism and oppression. She was the first Scheduled Classes Woman to become a member of Madras Corporation. She was the honorary Magistrate for Madras Province, Senate Member of Madras University and the member of Post-war Reconstruction committee. She was the forefront leader of the anti-Hindi [imposition] agitation in Madras province in 1938.

* Ramabai Ambedkar - Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s wife. The line “There is a woman behind for every man success” is very true in Babasaheb life.

* Jaibai Chaudhari - She was a great educationalist and social worker. She had firmly decided to spread education among the depressed classes girls and awaken the women. With this determination she started a school for the depressed class girls named Chokhamela Kanyashala girls School at New Colony, Nagpur in 1924.

* Poet Annapoorni - She was the daughter of Pandit Appaduraiyar a famous Buddhist Scholar. She contributed articles in Tamilan magazine. She dedicated her life for the well-being of the Scheduled Classes. She considered that Brahmanism stood in the way of getting proper recognition for Scheduled Classes as the first citizen of this land with such rich culture. She got involved in all strategic modalities of getting Scheduled Classes their proper education, along with her father. In due course of time she became an indispensable spokes-woman for the country as well as in Scheduled Classes forums and Buddhists organizations. She emerged as the most dutiful and responsible woman leader in spear heading the cause of women emancipation.

* Gunabai Gadekar – She presided over the first session of All-India Depressed Classes Women’s Conference held at Nagpur on Monday, 11th August 1930.

* Dakshayani - She was a science graduate, and the only Scheduled Classes woman member of the Constituent Assembly of India (1946-50). In Parliament, she took special interest in the matters of education especially that of the Scheduled Classes. She was the president of the Depressed Classes Youths Fine arts Club and the Managing editor of the Common Man in Madras from 1946-49. She formed many Scheduled Class organizations, including Bharatiya Mahila Jagriti Parishad, a Scheduled Classes women's group in Delhi in 1978.

* Radhabai Kamble - In 1946, She emerged as a labourers leader from Badri, Maharashtra. Although educated only until the 4th grade, she was adopt at standing in front of thousands of people and delivering provocative and strong speeches.  Her speeches inspired the labour meets in Vidharba.

* Sulochanabai Dongre - She was a fearless leader in the All India Depressed Classes Women Congress. She presided over the 2nd session of All India Depressed classes women’s conference held at Nagpur on July 20, 1942.

* Maragatham Chandrasekar – India’s first Scheduled Classes woman to became Member of Parliament. She was Independent India's first Scheduled Classes Woman to become a Minister in Union Government. She served as the Union Deputy Minister for Health from 1951 to 1957, Home Affairs from 1962 to 1964 and Social Welfare from 1964 to 1967. In 1972, she was elected General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee from Tamil Nadu.

* Laxmibai Naik - She established an untouchable Women’s Society in 1921 in Amravati.

* Anjanibai Deshbhratar - She organized untouchable girl students at Nagpur in May 1936. She was also instrumental in founding a hostel for the Scheduled Classes girls. As a Teacher she continued her participation in the liberation movement.

* Dadasaheb Gaikwad’s daughters Seetabai, Ramabai, Geetabai were the forefront of the of the Nasik’s Kalaram temple entry satyagraha of 1930.

* Geetabai – An educated activist and a teacher, along with Madhalabai and Meinabai, she started a Mahila Mandal in 1932 and spread Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s message in the areas of Pune, Bheemapura and Kamathipura.

* Rajamani Devi - She involved in the AISCF in Secunderabad. She was the first woman elected as an MLA on behalf of the AISCF.

* Eshwari bai - She involved in the social work and politics from Secunderabad. Inspired by Babasaheb, she joined the AISCF. In 1957, it was renamed as the Republican Party of India (RPI). In 1958 she was elected as General Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. Later she become the President of RPI. She was the first Woman MLA of the RPI.

Dr. Sathyavani Muthu 

* Dr. Sathyavani Muthu - Fearless Scheduled Classes woman leader. She was the first Non-Congress Dravidian parties Tamil Nadu politician to serve in Union Ministry. She was instrumental in creating India's first Government Arts college named after 'Dr. Ambedkar'. Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai was established in the year 1973. She was the first woman to form a party of her own in Tamil Nadu under the name of  'Thazhthapattor Munnetra Kazhagam'.

* Jothi Venkatachalam - India's first Scheduled Classes woman Minister of a State Government. She served as a minister for Prohibition and Women's Welfare in Rajaji’s cabinet between 1953 and 1954. She was also the minister for public health in K. Kamaraj's cabinet between 1954 and 1963.

* Indirabai Patil – She was the General Secretory of the All India Depressed Classes women’s conference held at Nagpur on July 20, 1942.

* Shantabai Dani – A teacher who left her job for the social work due to the inspiring speech of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. She joined the SCF in 1942 itself and elected as President of SCF Nasik district unit in 1943. She was one of the founding members of RPI at Nagpur. She thought that the spread of the education was a must one for the development of the untouchables. Therefore in 1959, she started Takshashila Vidhyalaya and Goutam Chatralaya at Nasik in 1965.

* Sumitra Devi - She was the first woman cabinet minister of Bihar in 1963.

* Shantabai Kamble - She wrote first Scheduled Classes woman autobiography named “Majya Jalmachi Chittarkatha” published in 1986 from Maharashtra.

* Mayawati - She was the first female Scheduled Classes Chief Minister in India from Uttar Pradesh.

* Chinna Pillai - She started a very successful banking system in the villages near Madurai, Tamil Nadu and is a champion trying to reduce poverty and debt grievances by empowering women. She was the founder of a number of savings and credit groups for poor women. Her selfless and untiring service for the poor women has earned her Stree Shakti Puraskar award for the year 1999. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee bowed down in respect and touched her feet while presenting her with the award.

* Krishnammal Jagannathan – She had established 7 non-governmental associations for the poor. Her work includes upliftment of Dalits, the landless, and the poor. She was a member of a number of local and state social welfare committees and a member of the National Committee on Education, the Land Reform Committee and the Planning Committee.

* Meira Kumar – India’s first woman speaker of Lok Sabha.

* Sharadamma - The first Scheduled Classes woman Mayor of Bangalore.

* Santosh Devi – India’s first Scheduled Classes Solar Engineer from Rajasthan.

* Sivakami – An IAS officer, writer and the first Scheduled Classes woman to become a novelist in India.

* Revathy - India’s first Scheduled Classes woman who won the world women Carrom Champion in 1995.

* Ilavazhagi – She won the 5th world Women Carrom Champion in 2008.

* Archana - Actress in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam; Twice National Award Winner.

* Madhavi - Actress in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam; National Award Winner.

* Pratibha Bharati - Erstwhile Andhra Pradesh Assembly's first woman Speaker (1999–2004),

* Bhavatharani - Tamil singer, music director and the daughter of film composer Ilaiyaraaja. She was awarded the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2001.

* Poorna Swaero - 13 years old becomes 1st Youngest Female in the world history to climb Mount Everest. Poorna and Anand Kumar hoisted the Indian flag and left a photo of "Founding Father of Modern India" Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at the summit.

* Jyoti – She won the silver medal in the 2004 Junior Asian Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan. She placed fourth in the women's freestyle 75 kg category at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and won bronze medal in 2013 Asian Wrestling Championship in women’s 72 kg category.

Compiled:
Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Jai bheem..!
Long Live Ambedkarism....!!

Annai Meenambal Sivaraj -- National Level Woman Leader From The Scheduled Classes of India.

            Annai Meenambal Sivaraj, Dr. Ambedkar and Thanthai Sivaraj.

India's First National Level Scheduled Classes Woman Leader - Annai Meenambal Sivaraj:

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's beloved sister, and Women Icon Annai Mennambal Sivaraj, was a blessing to the aboriginal people. She had been endowed with knowledge, capability, and prosperity. She is one of the most famous personalities in the Scheduled Classes Movement. She is entitled to have a special place in the history of the struggle of the aboriginal people. Such an august personality she was.

Annai Meenambal Sivaraj was born to V. G. Vasudevapillai and Meenakshi on 26th December 1904. It is not merely an exaggeration to say that our Annai's birth itself was a glory. One of her grandfathers P. M. Madurai Pillai, was a big merchant from Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Madurai Pillai was her grandfather through her mother's lineage. He was an eminent ship merchant in Rangoon. Loving able people around him, he had earned a name as a benefactor. At the same time he possessed such huge money that could even buy ships of his own. Annai Meenambal's father, V. G. Vasudevapillai, was the famous among the Adi-Dravida leaders. He was the first elected person to the Corporation of Madras from the aboriginal people. In 1923, he was elected as a nominated member to the Madras Legislature Council.

It was historic that Annai Meenambal's public service had started from her first address in 1928 in favour of the Simon Commission. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar himself fondly called her "My dear Sister." It was Annai Meenambal who rendered the title 'PERIYAR' to E. V. Ramasamy, a well known leader of Tamil Nadu on 13 November 1938. She was very active in public service till the year of 1980. She died on 30th November 1992.

True to her fervent labour towards the people's advancement, she had earned a lot of opportunities to serve. She was the first Scheduled Classes Woman to become a member of Madras Corporation and Deputy Mayor of Madras Corporation. She was the honorary Magistrate for Madras Province, a Senate Member of Madras University and a member of the Post-war Reconstruction Committee. She was the forefront leader of the anti-Hindi agitation in Madras province in 1938.

Annai Meenambal had paid her service joining force with Adi-Dravida leaders who admired her for her service. She advocated that women's liberation is the human liberation. So, she initiated the women audience to actively participate in the social uplift of the Scheduled Classes, and they should impart education to their children, improve their confidence, and inculcate in them good moral culture. She advised women to fight and liberate themselves from untouchability, casteism and oppression. In spite of this, she was never hesitant to prove her individuality. There were hundreds of conferencesand meetings that she blessed with her presidentship. Her irrefutable advice that she gave at the Tirunelveli Adi-Dravida conference, which was convened on 31st January 1937. She said:

"It is said that a family without unity will perish. For this reason it must be known that a society, nation or anything else needs the strength of unity to gain its progress. Although it will take a long time to do away with this sin of case consciousness from our country, all the people of our community must unite together with each other to prove that we are too human beings."

Annai Meenambal Shivaraj

I dunno how many PERIYARISTS know about her?

* She gave the title 'PERIYAR' (Great one) to E. V. RAMASAMY in the women's conference held in Madras on 13 November 1938. But facts like these were covered up and did not reach the popular discourse. Even I dunno how many of the Periyarists know about this.

* Her husband, Prof. Thanthai Sivaraj was the President of the "All India Scheduled Castes Federation." AISCF was the first all India political party exclusively for the Scheduled Classes of India. It was founded by Prof. Thanthai Sivaraj and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in the national convention of the Scheduled Classes held at Nagpur during 17-20 July 1942. It was presided over by Prof. Thanthai Sivaraj, and he was elected as its President. When the Republican Party of India was founded in 1957, he was again elected as its first president and continued working to establish the party's organization until he died in 1964. He served as a Member of Parliament once during British India and once after independence on behalf of the Republican Party from 1957 to 1962.

* Annai Meenambal was initially chosen to preside over 'The All India Depressed Classes Women's Conference' held at Mohan Park, Nagpur, on July 20, 1942. Due to certain unavoidable reasons, she could not come to Nagpur. So that Sulochanabai Dongre of Amravati was chosen to preside over this conference.

* Annai Meenambal was the first president of the 'All India Scheduled Castes Women's Federation.' She presided over the first AISCF Women’s Conference held at Madras in 1944. Also, she presided over the Second AISCF Women’s Conference held at Bombay on May 6th, 1945. These conferences were attended by both Prof. Thanthai Sivaraj and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

                                       

Words of Annai Meenambal:

"I think the year was 1938…we were running an organisation for Tamil Nadu’s women. A person called Narayaniamma was a professor at Queen Mary’s College then. She told me, “All important people in Madras Presidency have special titles…but, E.V.R. alone does not have any such title. We have to give him some title through our Association.”.. I gave the suggestion – ‘E.V.R. shows us all the way and is the father of Rationalism here…He occupies a higher place than any others we can compare him to, we can give him the title of ‘Periyar’ (the great one)’ And so, we organised a meeting at the Victoria Public Hall that was near Moore Market then and announced this title formally. E.V.R. was in jail at the time, after having been arrested during the anti-Hindi agitation. After the meeting was over, we went to see him in person and told him the news of having given him the title of ‘Periyar’. He laughed. From this, we took it that he had accepted the ‘Periyar’ title…” said Meenambal Sivaraj.

Remembering Dr.Babaeaheb Ambedkar, Meenambal Sivaraj says, “Ambedkar was skilled at cooking. Once, I participated in a meeting of the Scheduled Caste Federation at Bombay. Returning from the meeting, we were really hungry…Ambedkar took some of us who had participated in the meeting to his ‘Rajgriha’ home and served us food with his own hands. The important thing here is, he had cooked the food himself! When he came to Chennai, the Chettinad Raja Sir Muthiah Chettiar would ask him teasingly, “Do you have any dear ones in Chennai?” To which Ambedkar would reply, “But my sister Meenambal is in Madras.”

I dare to say here that leaders like Pandit Iyothee Thass, Thatha Rettamalai Srinivasan, Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah, Prof. Thanthai Sivaraj, Rao Saheb L.C. Gurusamy, Annai Meenambal Sivaraj, etc., have been neglected by our own fellows and the Shudra (OBC) fellows of Tamil Nadu. My special thanks to Paari Chelian Ayya.

Compiled:
Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Reference:
1. 'Our Leaders' by Anbu Ponnoviam, Siddhartha Publications, Chennai.
2. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Tamil Vol- 37 / English Vol- 17, Part-III.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Annai Meenambal Sivaraj

Three Questions To Communist Friends: By Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Dr. Ambedkar delivering his historic speech “Buddha or Karl Marx”

There are two or three questions which I have always asked my Communist friends to answer and which, I must frankly say, they have not been able to answer. They establish by means of violence what they call the dictatorship of the proletariat. They deprive all people who have property, of their political rights. They cannot have right to vote, they must remain what they call second grade subjects of the state, the ruled, not sharing authority or power. When I asked them, "Do you agree that the dictatorship is a good method of governing people" ? They say, "No, we don't like dictatorship". Then we say, "How do you allow it" ? But they say, "This is an interim period in which dictatorship must be there." You proceed further and ask them, "What is the duration of this interim period" ? How long ? Twenty years ? Forty years ? Fifty years ?" No answer. They only repeat that the proletarian dictatorship will vanish, somehow automatically.

Very well, let us talk the thing as it is that dictatorship will vanish. Well, I ask the question, "What will happen when dictatorship disappears ? What will take its place ? Will men not need Government of sort ?" They have no answer. Then we go back to the Buddha and ask this question in relation to his Dhamma. What does he say ? The greatest thing that the Buddha has done is to tell the world that the world can not be reformed except by the reformation of the mind of the man, and the mind of the world. If the mind is changed, If the mind accepts the communist system and loves it loyalty and carries it out, it is a permanent thing, it does not require a soldier or a police officer to keep a man in order. Why ? The answer is: The Buddha has energized your conscience itself that is acting as a sentinel in order to keep you on your path. There is no trouble when the mind is converted the thing is permanent.

The Communist system is based in force......... Such a system can take no root, and therefore in my judgement unless the communist are able to answer these questions, what would happen to their system ? When force disappears, there is no use pursuing it. Because, If the mind is not converted, force will always be necessary, and this is what I want to say in conclusion that one of the greatest things I find in Buddhism is that its system is a democratic system.

~ Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Source:

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, English Volume 17, Part Three, ( Extracted from 'Buddha or Karl Marx') (Page: 554 - 556).

My Special Thanks To: Videesha Umare [For the aforementioned book].

November 26: Constitution Day of India.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Constitution of India

                                   

It is one of the greatest historical days in the history of India. It was the day of "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" based Democracy had came on 26th November 1949 in India. The Constituent Assembly accepted the draft Constitution. Though born as an Indian, I never proud for being an Indian. On one thing I thank to one of the founding fathers of Modern India, Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who gave 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity' based Democracy in India irrespective of Caste, Class, Gender and Religion. Although India attained her independence on August 15, 1947, till 1949 it had no permanent constitution of its own and not functioning under the laws enacted. After many amendments the Constitution was approved and Revolutionary Ambedkar presented the draft Constitution was accepted on November 26, 1949. Then it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in the name of the people of India that came into force on January 26, 1950 marking the beginning of a new era in the history of India. In fact it was the day that the Constitution of India came into effect.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, an eminent lawyer in India, was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee set up by the Constituent Assembly in August 1947 to frame the Constitution of India. It was not a simple work but to sculpt the big mountain to share all people rights equally. The Indian Constitution is greatly influenced by his revolutionary ideas and thoughts. Many fellows wrongly thought that Babasaheb's inclusion into constituent assembly was by Mr. Gandhi. But the entry of Babasaheb was mainly due to his professional approach, his excellent knowledge of constitution and his great work in "States and Minorities" which is a part foundation of our constitution today. Even the Congress choice was someone else from the Congress or foreign constitutional experts. 

In the 1946 Provincial Assembly elections, the AISCF won only two seats. Jogendranath Mandal of Bengal won the election. In Bombay Assembly, none of the AISCF candidates were elected. Because of this, Babasaheb contested from Bengal and was able to enter the Constituent Assembly with the support of Jogendranath Mandal and other independent members from the Scheduled Classes. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the sole Scheduled Classes representative in the Constituent Assembly on behalf of the AISCF. Consequent upon the partition of Bengal, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar ceased to be a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1947. The work done by Babasaheb in various sub-committees ( Advisory Committee, Fundamental Rights sub-committee, Minorities sub-committee, Union Constitution Committee ) of the Constitutional Assembly was considered very useful. He submitted a memorandum to the Fundamental Rights sub-committee in which he gave concrete shape ideas. This memorandum was later published for wider circulation under the title 'States and Minorities, what are their rights and how to secure them in the Constitution of free India'.

The Congress Party which had earlier opposed tooth and nail his entry into the Constituent Assembly came forward and sponsored his candidature. In his letter dated 30th June 1947, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly requested Mr. B. G. Kher, the then Prime Minister of Bombay to elect Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar immediately. He wrote, "Apart from any other consideration we have found Dr. Ambedkar's work both in the Constituent Assembly and the various committees to which he was appointed to he of such an order as to require that we should not he deprived of his services. As you know, he was elected from Bengal and after the division of the Province he has ceased to be a member of the Constituent Assembly. I am anxious that he should attend the next session of the Constituent Assembly commencing from the 14th July and it is therefore necessary that he should be elected immediately". Accordingly, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was re-elected in July 1947 from Bombay as a member of the Constituent Assembly. Soon after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru invited him to join the Cabinet he formed on 15th August 1947 on the eve of independence. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar accepted the invitation and became India's first Law Minister. On 29th August the Assembly unanimously elected him as Chairman of the Drafting Committee which was assigned the task of framing the Constitution. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who was a strong opponent of Congress had now become philosopher and guide in the Constitutional matters of India. After the completion of his work, Babasaheb said "I feel the Constitution is workable; it is flexible and it is strong enough to hold the country together both in peace time and in war time".

T. T. Krishnamachari in his speech in Constituent assembly about Babasaheb's dedicatory contribution. He said that: "Out of the seven members selected to prepare the draft constitution, one resigned, one died, one left for America, one was busy with his work in princely state, one or two live away from Delhi, some had to be excused for health reasons, Dr. Ambedkar was the only one who had to bear the burnt."

The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, praised the services rendered by Babasaheb in the making of the Constitution. He said, "I have carefully watched the day-to-day activities from the presidential seat. Therefore, I appreciate more than others with how much dedication and vitality this task has been carried out by the Drafting Committee and by its chairman Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in particular. We never did a better thing than having Dr. Ambedkar on the Drafting Committee and selecting him as its chairman." V. I. Muniswamy Pillay from Madras said: "Mr. President, Sir, I stand before this August Assembly to support the motion moved by my Honourable Friend, Dr. Ambedkar. Sir, I proceed now to appreciate the great services that have been rendered by the Drafting Committee whose services are so valuable to us; they have not spared days and nights in coming to decisions on important articles. I must say a word of praise to the caliber and capacity of the Chairman of the Drafting Committee - Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Coming as I do from a community that has produced Dr. Ambedkar, I feel proud that his capacity has now been recognized, not only by the Scheduled Castes but by all communities that inhabit India. The Scheduled Castes have produced a great Nandanar, a Tirupazanalwar, and above all a Tiruvalluvar, the great philosopher whose name and fame is not only known throughout the length and breadth of India but of the whole world. To that galaxy of great men of Scheduled Castes now we have to add Dr. Ambedkar, who, as a man has been able to show to the world that the Scheduled Castes are no less important but they can rise to heights and give to the world their great services. I know, Sir, that he has served the community of the Scheduled Castes and also of India by his great service and sacrifice in preparing a Constitution which will be the order of the day from the 26th of January 1950 and I also feel. Sir, of the Chief Draftsman and of the staff that have worked in preparing the Constitution cannot be littled; they equally receive our praise."

Babasaheb in his speech in Constitutional Assembly, "I shall not therefore enter into the merits of the Constitution. Because I feel, however good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it, happen to be a bad lot. However bad a Constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it, happen to be a good lot. The working of a Constitution does not depend wholly upon the nature of the Constitution. The Constitution can provide only the organs of State such as the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The factors on which the working of those organs of the State depend are the people and the political parties they will set up as their instruments to carry out their wishes and their politics. Who can say how the people of India and their parties will behave ? Will they uphold constitutional methods of achieving their purposes or will they prefer revolutionary methods of achieving them ? If they adopt the revolutionary methods; however good the Constitution may be, it requires no prophet to say that it will fail. It is, therefore, futile to pass any judgement upon the Constitution without reference to the part which the people and their parties are likely to play. The constitution I offered, may be good or bad, it will depend on how the men in office use it. India lost its independence because one of us, one in power, betrayed. We must spend the last drop of blood to defend the freedom of our country".

With Regards,
Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Jai bheem..!
Long Live Ambedkarism....!!
Reference:
* Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches: English Volume 13, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar – The Principal Architect of the Constitution of India.

Written: November 2012.