Bharat Ratan Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Saluting the Symbol of world knowledge on his 69th Mahaparinirvan day falling on 6th December,2025). By: Er. H.R. PHONSA. In this world, some are born great; some get props to become Great great and a few become great by dint of their determination, courage and hard work. Dr. Ambedkar fell in the third category. His life story is a sage of achievements milled through his great struggles facing caste hate, hunger and paucity of resources Dr. Ambedkar used to compare himself with Moses. Moses (1391–1271 BCE) wanted to relieve the Israelis from the forced labour and their unending servitude from Egypt, so led his people to Palestine. Moses is considered the most important prophet in Judaism and Samaritanism, and one of the most important prophets in Christianity, Islam, the Baháʼí Faith, and other Abrahamic religions. According to the Abrahamic scriptures, God dictated the Mosaic Law to Moses, which he wrote down and which formed part of the Torah. Moses kept 40 years of wandering in the desert for the sake of his goal. But in case of Dr. Ambedkar, he led his peoples to break the yoke of religious, political, social & economic barriers imposed by Hindu unnatural laws framed against his peoples called Shudras, Ati Shudras or untouchables. Dr. Ambedkar catalogued, expanded and interpreted the code of laws of his country, different religions, needs of its people, faiths, history and drafted the “Constitution for Free India” granting equality of status and dignity to all Indian irrespective of their caste, creed and religious, economic, literacy, colour, sex or place of birth status. Moses struggled against race discrimination between Egyptians but Dr. Ambedkar against caste and sex bigotry of Indians, as caste intolerance between the people of the same religion, inter religious was a major hurdle. Dr. Ambedkar unlike Moses gained his knowledge, courage and strength by studying in world’s top universities under the best brains of their times. He also churned out knowledge stored in books in top libraries and museums from early morning to late nights. As narrated by his biographers, while studying in London, he was first to entre in the morning but last to leave in the night from the London Museum. He maintained lifelong association with books and the supper brains, of his times. His personal library had over 50,000 books, a world record. He spent many days and nights with one bread loaf and single cup of coffee. He contributed for the freedom of India, but more for the empowerment of Indian Dalits, to whom he called slaves to the British slaves in India. He was mild and soft for those who understood his mission and commitments and hardest nut to crack for those who opposed his just life goals. In Baba’s body frame, there was a fearless hero, ready to challenge anybody in any field working against the interests of depressed class communities and women of India. Life Sketch : He was born on 14th April 1891 at Mhow to revered Subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal & Mata Bhimbai in Mahar Community. Due to Hindu hegemony and caste at birth -based values, they were reduced to the level of Untouchables, Shudras, whose only shadow was considered enough to pollute an upper caste Hindu. He was married to Ramabai at the tender age of 17 years when she was only of 9 years, who stood like a rock by her Saheb till her death on May 27, 1935. Due to hard work of father & son, Bhimrao earned world’s highest academic Degrees of D. Sc (London); PhD & LL. D (Columbia); M.A; D.Lit. (Osmania) Bar-at law (London). Dr. Ambedkar knew seven languages. Dr. Ambedkar also served on highly prestigious positions as Labour member of Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942-46); First Law Minister of Independent India & earned the distinction of selection as Chairman of the constitution Drafting Committee to draft constitution for free India & also is so called “father of Indian constitution “Some called him Mother of Indian Constitution as well. He proved an emancipator for Dalits, a torch bearer for the liberation of slaves’ world over and an insurmountable rock for his opponents. He was for change and often said “Consistency is a virtue of an ass”. Dr. Ambedkar passed away in his sleep at his residence on night of 5/6 December,1956. at his residence 26 Alipore Road New Delhi, now Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial. He was cremated in Hindu Crematorium, now Chaityabhoomi Dadar Mumbai, Maharashtra before sunset on 7th December ,1956. His pyre was lit by his only surviving son Yashwant Rao Ambedkar. Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar’s last journey 6 hours (1.30 pm to 7.30 pm) witnessed a huge procession over two miles long, of wailing, weeping persons, from his Bombay residence Rajgriha to Crematorium. Such procession had not before been recorded in the living memory of Bombay. Baba’s Saheb’s Bhagta ,a Professor, writer, actor, script writer and publisher Namdev Laxman Vahatkar (1921-1982) on knowing the sad demise of Baba Saheb mortgaged his house and shop in Bombay, to purchase equipment to make film of funeral procession carrying dead body of Baba Saheb to cremation grounds for his last rites.The photo clips of the journey we see now ,were clicked by Mr. Vahatkar of Kolhapur born who belonged to Dhoor Dalit caste. Many world top brains and personalities of past including of his time, he studied and kept association with, helped to shape his personality, some are listed here under with their teachings. A) Subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal: Honesty, Hard working, dedication, urge to get higher education, boldness in his conduct and to work for elevation of his fellow untouchables was learned by Ambedkar from his father subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal. B) Kabir: - Dr. Ambedkar’s family belonged to the devotional path shown by Sadguru Kabir ji. Kabir’s devotional songs were daily sung with love by the family, and it affected tender mind of child Bhimrao. Kabir Ji’s verses including “Jat Pat Pushey Na Koye, Har Ko Bhaje so har Ka hoi” i.e. Caste does not decide your fate, but One’s devotion to Supreme Lord. Kabir Ji was taken as Ambedkar’s Second Guru, first being Budha. C) Budha: Along with many world religious viewpoints, Baba Saheb Ambedkar studied deeply Budha Philosophy. As Budha never proclaimed himself as God, Avtar or His incarnation, so influenced the inner mind of Dr. Ambedkar. When he got convinced during his year’s study for the betterment in his religion, he brought back Buddha to India,the only available path to universal brotherhood, so he embraced Buddhism on 14th October 1956 along with over three lacs of men & women. Dr. Ambedkar lived for 52 days after conversion to Buddhism and during this small period over Five Lacs Dalits got converted o Buddhism. He wrote a master book of 599 pages on Buddhism “Buddha and His Dhamma”. Now more and more people are embracing Buddhism daily. Unfortunately, in his untimely passing away, his pledge making “India Bud-may” remained unfulfilled in his life time. D) Jyotiba Phule : Jyotiba Phule was the greatest Shudra of modern India, who made Hindu untouchables conscious of their slavery to the Upper Caste Hindus. He gave the gospel “ For India social democracy was more vital that independence form foreign rule”. Phule couple started 18 schools Poona some exclusively for girls, against upmost opposition and financial hurdles as he wanted to win over illiteracy, taking it as ill of all social ills. declared. On valuing works of Mahatma Phule, Dr. Ambedkar declare him as his Political Guru. E) Kabir : A religious and social revolutionary Bhagti Movement saint ,who with his crucade againt extennal means of worship, broke the religious strong cage to free ignorant public to follow to way, Nirguna( Non Attributory) Bhagti. Kabir’s Bhajans like “Jat-Pat Puchheyn a Ko, Hari Ko bhaje so Hari Ka ho”were sung in Ambedkar’s house since his childhood. On the wealth and partibility of Kabir’s teachings Dr. Ambedkar declared him as his Second Guru. Ranade: Life & work story of Nyayamurti Mahadev Govind Ranade (1841-1901), a Maharashtrian, father of Indian Socio-political revolution, a scholar, social reformer, judge and author casted a great influence on life and working of Dr. Ambedkar. While accepting terms of Poona Pact with Gandhi Ji, Dr. Ambedkar was guided by Ranade’s philosophy of “In political negotiations the rule should be what is possible, which does not mean that we should be content with what is offered.” Besides many more Indian social and political Philosophers, thinkers, authors, Dr. Ambedkar was influenced by many foreign teachers, social economists, education theorists. Dr. Ambedkar highly praised and practically followed: i)Booker T. Washington (a great revolutionary, educator, reformer, Negro leader, who founded and headed Tuskegee Institute, so spread value of education and freedom for Negros. ii)John Dewey: He was Bhim’s mentor at Columbia University. John Dewey’s philosophy shaped Dr. Ambedkar to critically analysis of the hard problems facing the society. He advocated dynamic and pragmatic approach to drive the humanity out of the troubles it was confronted with. From Dewy ‘s confederacy; Ambedkar concluded that society is equally if, not more aggressive and tyrannical than the Government, is based on deep study of these subject. iii) J.S Mill: Dr. Ambedkar was greatly influenced from the writing of Mill, a great political philosopher who had advocated freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of action. Mill’s philosophy molded the political philosophy of Ambedkar. iv) Karl Marx: - Dr. Ambedkar was also immensely influenced by Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle against the merciless exploitation of the poor by industrialists, all over the world. However Dr. Ambedkar partly disagreed with Karl Marx, as in India labour was exploited on Class & Caste difference. He said “Downtrodden people of India are first to be fired and last to be hired”. Dr. Ambedkar firmly believed that united fight of labourers against their common exploiters was not possible in the existing caste at birth-based division of labour. Whatever Dr. Ambedkar preached, he gave it form. To give practical form to his commandment to his people “Educate, Agitate and Organize”, he established Peoples Society in 1945. His target for the PES was to impart to education masses in a way which make a person, fearless, aware of his rights besides, inspires him to struggle for his rights teaches him the lesson of unity. This institution caters education in over 3 dozens campus, to students from all castes and categories. As Campaigner of women liberation, he piloted Hindu Code Bill for over all rights to women in free India. On its not passing in parliament due to religion-based opposition and backing out political leaders in power, the first Law Minister of India resigned from Union Cabinet. As universal champion for freedom and dignity of every individual, he laboured, despite of his failing health, as head of the Constitution Drafting Committee head for 2 years,11 months and 18 days to frame world’s largest Constitution of free India to give every Indian, male or female legal rights for equality in all spheres of life governance with ensured dignity. Dr. Ambedkar strongly pleaded in RTCs with British Government to free India as it had failed to watch the interests of depressed classes by siding with influential lobbies of Indians. Although Dr. Ambedkar headed many agitations, campaign for rights of his people, but never had ill will against anyone including his opponents. His pleading was always on principals maintaining his personal relations in good taste . He was said to be among top most opponent of Gandhi Ji on principles, still Gandhi Ji pleaded with Indian Prime Minister to give task of the Constitution framing to Dr. Ambedkar. Due to Dr. Ambedkar’s pleading for poor, neglected, depressed masses on principles, advocacy for world peace and universal brother hood on non-violence principles, his acceptance in all world country is unique. The greatest tributes to this son of India declared as “World’s Symbol Of Knowledge” shall be to follow his ideals of making State as a welfare State and to strive by all practical means to create situation for flourishing of fraternity among its peoples without discrimination of caste, creed, sex, economic, social, religious and place of birth affiliations.