Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb was the man behind India's constitution and the undisputed leader of India's Dalits.

He was born on April 14, 1891, in town and military cantonment of Mhow in the central provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh) into a Mahar family, a caste considered untouchable.

He was last of his parents' 14 children.

Born in a Dalit family, Ambedkar himself was a victim of the social evils since childhood days.&nbsp;

He was so oppressed that throughout his life, he campaigned to eliminate social discrimination against untouchables.

He drafted the Indian constitution, championed Dalit and women's rights, and remains a beacon for marginalised groups in Indian society. Today, he would have been 128 years old.

He was the first Minister of Law and Justice in 1947, but he resigned when his women rights bill was opposed by the Parliament.

Ambedkar was a diabetes patient and died in his sleep at the age of 65 on December 6, 1956, &nbsp;three days after he completed his manuscript— The Buddha and his Dhamma.

Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb was the man behind India's constitution and the undisputed leader of India's Dalits. He was born on April 14, 1891, in town and military cantonment of Mhow in the central provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh) into a Mahar family, a caste considered untouchable.

Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb was the man behind India's constitution and the undisputed leader of India's Dalits. He was born on April 14, 1891, in town and military cantonment of Mhow in the central provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh) into a Mahar family, a caste considered untouchable. He was last of his parents' 14 children. Born in a Dalit family, Ambedkar himself was a victim of the social evils since childhood days. He was so oppressed that throughout his life, he campaigned to eliminate social discrimination against untouchables. He drafted the Indian constitution, championed Dalit and women's rights, and remains a beacon for marginalised groups in Indian society. Today, he would have been 128 years old. He was the first Minister of Law and Justice in 1947, but he resigned when his women rights bill was opposed by the Parliament. Ambedkar was a diabetes patient and died in his sleep at the age of 65 on December 6, 1956, three days after he completed his manuscript— The Buddha and his Dhamma.

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar: The leader of India's oppressed

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar - father of Indian Constitution: Celebrating his 128th birth anniversary

The Dr BR Ambedkar National Memorial Museum in New Delhi is probably the first of its kind in India. Built in the shape of an open book signifying the constitution, the museum gives visitors a free of cost audio-visual experience of the constitution and its architect- Ambedkar.

Upon entry, staff help visitors download a guide app using the museum’s WiFi. The ground floor of the museum has 17 exhibits detailing Ambedkar’s life. Visitors can scan the QR code using the app at every exhibit to get the information about that particular display.

Much to visitors’ delight, the museum also has a humanoid of Ambedkar which narrates the speeches that Babasaheb delivered in the Constituent Assembly.

Apart from the digital experience, the exhibits also give rare insights into Ambedkar’s life. An exhibition dedicated to the leader’s second wife Ramabai tells visitors how the jurist became Babasaheb.

The display read, “Ramabai’s death in 1935 had such a profound impact on Ambedkar that he slipped into a life desolate state of mind. After he emerged from that state, people started calling him Babasaheb (Respected father).”

Priya Sharma, a Delhi University student, who was visiting the museum for the first time has vowed to promote it. She said, “I never knew that prominent world leaders like Barack Obama had mentioned Ambedkar in their speeches. More people need to know about this.”

The museum boasts of a heavy footfall. The staff said that on weekends, the memorial received over 200 visitors including students and activists, some from Maharashtra.

Habiba Hermanadi, a Delhi University student from Indonesia said that Ambedkar’s teaching are taught in universities across her country.

She said “Like India, there was discrimination in Indonesia as well but the difference was that, in India Ambedkar built the constitution to protect the rights of the minorities.”

The memorial’s basement brings alive the Indian Constitution. It allows visitors to explore the original manuscript of the world’s longest written constitution digitally. It’s an experience that is out of bounds for most Indians as the only original copies of the document are kept in the Parliament’s Library.

But the exhibits are not the only thing striking about the museum. In perhaps another first for a museum, a sign at the entry said “Demonstration and Sloganeering are prohibited.” &nbsp;

The sign appeared ironic to Hermanadi. She said, “One time you’re talking about how Ambedkar taught people to fight for their rights, and then you stop them from exercising those very rights.

The staff said that protests have been banned here since it’s a government building. Yet, museums are among the unlikeliest places to hold demonstrations. But this place is much more than a museum.&nbsp;

It has been built on the land where Ambedkar breathed his last in 1956.

The museum was inaugurated amid much fanfare by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last year.

But many feel that while the BJP has been trying to appropriate Ambedkar, it has not been aiming to embrace his ideology.

Prominent Dalit rights activist Paul Divakar said, “The BJP like most political parties has been trying to appropriate Ambedkar to woo vote banks. But in reality, crimes against Dalits and tribals have increased in its five-year rule.”

The Dr BR Ambedkar National Memorial Museum in New Delhi is probably the first of its kind in India. Built in the shape of an open book signifying the constitution, the museum gives visitors a free of cost audio-visual experience of the constitution and its architect- Ambedkar.

The Dr BR Ambedkar National Memorial Museum in New Delhi is probably the first of its kind in India. Built in the shape of an open book signifying the constitution, the museum gives visitors a free of cost audio-visual experience of the constitution and its architect- Ambedkar. Upon entry, staff help visitors download a guide app using the museum’s WiFi. The ground floor of the museum has 17 exhibits detailing Ambedkar’s life. Visitors can scan the QR code using the app at every exhibit to get the information about that particular display. Much to visitors’ delight, the museum also has a humanoid of Ambedkar which narrates the speeches that Babasaheb delivered in the Constituent Assembly. Apart from the digital experience, the exhibits also give rare insights into Ambedkar’s life. An exhibition dedicated to the leader’s second wife Ramabai tells visitors how the jurist became Babasaheb. The display read, “Ramabai’s death in 1935 had such a profound impact on Ambedkar that he slipped into a life desolate state of mind. After he emerged from that state, people started calling him Babasaheb (Respected father).” Priya Sharma, a Delhi University student, who was visiting the museum for the first time has vowed to promote it. She said, “I never knew that prominent world leaders like Barack Obama had mentioned Ambedkar in their speeches. More people need to know about this.” The museum boasts of a heavy footfall. The staff said that on weekends, the memorial received over 200 visitors including students and activists, some from Maharashtra. Habiba Hermanadi, a Delhi University student from Indonesia said that Ambedkar’s teaching are taught in universities across her country. She said “Like India, there was discrimination in Indonesia as well but the difference was that, in India Ambedkar built the constitution to protect the rights of the minorities.” The memorial’s basement brings alive the Indian Constitution. It allows visitors to explore the original manuscript of the world’s longest written constitution digitally. It’s an experience that is out of bounds for most Indians as the only original copies of the document are kept in the Parliament’s Library. But the exhibits are not the only thing striking about the museum. In perhaps another first for a museum, a sign at the entry said “Demonstration and Sloganeering are prohibited.” The sign appeared ironic to Hermanadi. She said, “One time you’re talking about how Ambedkar taught people to fight for their rights, and then you stop them from exercising those very rights. The staff said that protests have been banned here since it’s a government building. Yet, museums are among the unlikeliest places to hold demonstrations. But this place is much more than a museum. It has been built on the land where Ambedkar breathed his last in 1956. The museum was inaugurated amid much fanfare by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last year. But many feel that while the BJP has been trying to appropriate Ambedkar, it has not been aiming to embrace his ideology. Prominent Dalit rights activist Paul Divakar said, “The BJP like most political parties has been trying to appropriate Ambedkar to woo vote banks. But in reality, crimes against Dalits and tribals have increased in its five-year rule.”

Ambedkar National Memorial: A one of a kind experience

On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the 127th birthday of the father of the Indian constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Kovind took to Twitter to extend their wishes to the nation.&nbsp

They also expressed their gratitude towards BR Ambedkar, for framing the constitution of India, which is considered the backbone for the smooth functioning of the country.

Wishing people on Dalit icon BR Ambedkar's 127th birth anniversary, Kovind tweeted: "Homage to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. An icon of our nation, Dr Ambedkar was a multifaceted personality who waged a life-long struggle for a modern India free of caste and other prejudices, ensuring equal rights for women and for the disadvantaged."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Homage to Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. An icon of our nation, Dr Ambedkar was a multifaceted personality who waged a life-long struggle for a modern India free of caste and other prejudices, ensuring equal rights to women and for the disadvantaged <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/984968254195027968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Modi said in a tweet: "Pujya Babasaheb gave hope to lakhs of people belonging to the poorest and marginalised sections of society.&nbsp

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Greetings on Ambedkar Jayanti. Pujya Babasaheb gave hope to lakhs of people belonging to the poorest and marginalised sections of society. We remain indebted to him for his efforts towards the making of our Constitution. 
 
सभी देशवासियों को अम्बेडकर जयंती की शुभकामनाएं। जय भीम! <a href="https://t.co/NZW6QsKgN0">pic.twitter.com/NZW6QsKgN0</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/984968515970101248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

Saturday, April 14, marks the 127th birth anniversary of Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He was a social reformer, economist and jurist who encouraged the Dalit Buddhist Movement.

On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the 127th birthday of the father of the Indian constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Kovind took to Twitter to extend their wishes to the nation. They also expressed their gratitude towards BR Ambedkar, for framing the constitution of India, which is considered the backbone for the smooth functioning of the country. Wishing people on Dalit icon BR Ambedkar's 127th birth anniversary, Kovind tweeted: "Homage to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. An icon of our nation, Dr Ambedkar was a multifaceted personality who waged a life-long struggle for a modern India free of caste and other prejudices, ensuring equal rights for women and for the disadvantaged." Homage to Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary. An icon of our nation, Dr Ambedkar was a multifaceted personality who waged a life-long struggle for a modern India free of caste and other prejudices, ensuring equal rights to women and for the disadvantaged #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 14, 2018 × Meanwhile, Modi said in a tweet: "Pujya Babasaheb gave hope to lakhs of people belonging to the poorest and marginalised sections of society. Greetings on Ambedkar Jayanti. Pujya Babasaheb gave hope to lakhs of people belonging to the poorest and marginalised sections of society. We remain indebted to him for his efforts towards the making of our Constitution. सभी देशवासियों को अम्बेडकर जयंती की शुभकामनाएं। जय भीम! pic.twitter.com/NZW6QsKgN0 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018 ×

Kovind, Modi greet nation on Ambedkar Jayanti, say Babasaheb gave hope to poorest, marginalised sections

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