Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated to acknowledge the noble contribution of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar towards the Dalit communities. Ambedkar was one of the first Dalits of the country who went in to seek admission in a collage and received a college degree. Dr. Ambedkar faced disrespect, discrimination and humiliation at the different stages of his life and his childhood did not dither him from achieving what he wanted in life personally as well as professionally. He continued his study with full dedication, determination and became a successful economist and an Indian jurist.
Ambedkar Jayanti is a mark of respect to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar – apart from working impeccably well in his professional field he also went on to become a prominent Indian political leader and philosopher whose dedication and consistent efforts in helping the Dalits attain their due rights and respect in the Indian society is what has set him apart from the others so much so that he is one of the very few Indian leaders whose birthday has been declared as a republic holiday in the country.
The birth anniversaries of only few leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru are celebrated with such a great zeal and energy. Ambedkar holds a stature that is not less than that of Gandhi or Nehru. He inspired, encouraged and motivated the general public to support him in the fight for a noble cause. He started many movements to bring about the reforms for the backward Dalit class in India and led marches to public drinking water places as the Dalits were not allowed to take water from there.
He led many other similar movements for the right of Dalits to admission at different places. People supported him and still see him as an inspiration. Ambedkar Jayanti is also celebrated in various schools mostly a day before the Jayanti. The educational institutions organise various types of events to pay homage to Ambedkar and also inspire the students to become as knowledgeable, strong-willed and humble as him.
The events begin with speech by the public figures or knowledge persons on the life and philosophy of Ambedkar. The reason to do so is to acquaint the students with the struggles Ambedkar faced and how did he overcome the same by becoming the winner after all odds. Apart from speech, debate, competition and inter-house quiz are also organised. Students belonging to the Dalit class hold special reverence for this day because they too face the same problems which were faced by Ambedkar throughout his life and that are what makes this day even more important for them.
In many states, fair is held on this occasion as well many cultural programmes. The aim of the fair is to spread the message of love, peace, brotherhood, unity, harmony and humanity. Ambedkar Jayanti is a day to remember the actions taken for the harmony of the nation by one of the greatest leaders who was also a historian, teacher, writer, editor, anthropologist and orator. Above all, he was not just a leader but like a god for the Dalit community whom he helped them to get what they deserved.
