Address at the release of the Coffee Table Book on the life of Architect of the Constitution of India Dr B R Ambedkar

Address by Shri CH Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the release of the Coffee Table Book on the life of Architect of the Constitution of India Dr B R Ambedkar on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of late Dr Ambedkar at Chaityabhumi, near Ashok Stambh, Shivaji Park, Dadar Park (West), Mumbai 400028

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Subhash Desai, Minister of Industries and Guardian Minister of Mumbai, Shri Vinod Tawde, Minister of Education and Culture, Shri Ramdas Kadam, Minister for Environment, Shri Rajkumar Badole, Minister of Social Justice, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and Members of State Legislature, Smt Snehal Ambekar, Mayor of Mumbai, other people’s representatives, Dr Narendra Jadhav, Editor of the Coffee Table Book project, members of the Samanvay Committee, all persons and officials connected with the making of the Coffee Table book, sisters and brothers,

I feel honoured to associate myself with the historic occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and to pay my respects to one of the greatest icons of modern India.

The entire nation is celebrating the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar today. In fact, this occasion is also being celebrated in many countries of the world.

It was therefore very thoughtful of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to have decided to celebrate this occasion in a befitting manner and to bring out a Coffee Table Book depicting various facets of the personality of Dr Ambedkar on this occasion.

I must say, the Coffee Table Book is truly an outstanding effort. The book has captured the entire life and work of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in a lucid yet simple language. Rare photographs of Dr Ambedkar have enhanced the quality of the book. I will say, the book is an insightful encyclopedia on the life and work of Dr Ambedkar, which will be found useful both – by the researchers as well as common people.

I congratulate the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for undertaking this project. I will particularly convey my appreciation to Dr Narendra Jadhav, former Vice Chancellor of the Savtribai Phule Pune University and Editor of the Coffee Table Book and his entire team for producing a top class book.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A majority of the people of India know Dr Ambedkar as the Architect of the Indian Constitution. A large majority of the people of India look up to Dr Ambedkar as their messiah and emancipator. However, there were many more aspects to the personality of Dr Ambedkar, which are not often acknowledged.

Dr Ambedkar was also a brilliant economist, a journalist, a silent revolutionary, a social scientist, anthropologist, statesman, an authority on religion and so on.

Maharashtra, and particularly the city of Mumbai was Karmabhumi for Dr Ambedkar. It was in this great city that Dr Ambedkar spent nearly four decades of his life. It was here that he was educated and evolved as a leader. It was again here in Mumbai that Dr Ambedkar taught Economics at the Sydenham College and served as Professor and later Principal at the Government Law College. Dr Ambedkar planned and launched several agitations for securing the legitimate rights of the oppressed people from Mumbai. Dr Ambedkar launched his Independent Labour Party and won his first Assembly election, also from Mumbai. The footprints of his work are visible all over Mumbai.

I do feel that we must create and develop ‘Dr Ambedkar Circuit’ in Mumbai for the benefit of the people. For this purpose we must identify the places associated with the life and work of Dr Ambedkar and place small informative plaques outside each of these places.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister has announced developing five places connected with the life of Dr Ambedkar as “Panchteerth”. The Government of Maharashtra is already creating a grand memorial for Dr Ambedkar at Indu Mills compound near here. It has also acquired the house where Dr Ambedkar lived in London. The Government is also developing the native place of Dr Ambedkar in Konkan.

Striving for the creation of a society based on the principles of equality, justice and dignity will be a real tribute to Dr Ambedkar.

With these words, I pay my respects to the memory of late Dr Ambedkar on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary and take pleasure in releasing the Coffee Table Book.

Thank you

Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!