Post by Nalli Saveekshna

Remembering ‘Bharat Ratna’ Dr B R AMBEDKAR or Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb (Born 14 April 1891 – Died 6 December 1956), eminent Indian Jurist, Economist, Politician and Social Reformer who inspired the Modern Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination against Dalits, on his Birth Anniversary today. He was Independent India's first law minister and one of the principal architect of the Constitution of India. His Death Anniversary is observed as “Mahaparinirvan Diwas”. ‘Parinirvan’ can be translated as ‘nirvan’ after death, or freedom from the cycles of life and death. Dr Ambedkar breathed his last on December 6, 1956, less than two months after he had converted to Buddhism, fulfilling his declaration of “I will not die a Hindu”. Born into a poor Mahar family, Ambedkar campaigned against social discrimination, the Indian caste system. He converted to Buddhism and is also credited with providing a spark for the conversion of hundreds of thousands of lower caste members to Buddhism. Ambedkar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1990. Eventually earning a law degree and doctorates for his study and research in law, economics and political science from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, Ambedkar gained a reputation as a scholar and practiced law for a few years, later campaigning by publishing journals advocating political rights and social freedom for India's untouchables. He is regarded as a Bodhisattva by some Indian Buddhists, though he never claimed it himself.