Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to honouring our national icons knows no bounds. His unwavering dedication to his roots and drawing inspiration from great personalities sets him apart from his peers. Through his myriad endeavours, PM Modi tirelessly works towards perpetuating the values and ideals of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. From his early days as a Swayamsevak to his current role as the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has dedicated relentless efforts to perpetuate Ambedkar's ideas and vision. His endeavours extend beyond constructing or preserving sites linked to B.R. Ambedkar; instead, PM Modi has taken a step further by actively promoting and implementing his ideas through various policies and initiatives.
Panchteerth: Honouring the legacy of B R Ambedkar
PM Modi's unwavering dedication is most evident in the development of Panchteerth, commemorating five significant places connected to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. These locations include:
A) Janam Bhoomi – Bhim Janma Bhoomi, situated in Mhow (now Dr Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh, India, stands as a memorial dedicated to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, born on April 14 1891 in Mhow. The local government has erected a majestic memorial at his birthplace, which was inaugurated on Dr. Ambedkar's 100th birth anniversary, April 14, 1991. On the same date in 2016, the Prime Minister paid homage to Dr Ambedkar at this site. The architectural brilliance behind the memorial is credited to E.D. Nimgade.
B) Sikhsha Bhoomi - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's residence during his studies at the London School of Economics is now the Ambedkar Memorial in London. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 14, 2015, the Maharashtra Government, under Sh. Devendra Fadnavis acquired the three-story house where Dr. Ambedkar lived. With an expenditure of Rs 800 crore, the building has been transformed into a museum.
C)Deeksha Bhoomi- A prominent site in Nagpur, Deekshabhoomi marks the place where the architect of the Indian Constitution converted to Buddhism. It stands as a significant Buddhist pilgrimage centre in India.
D) Mahaparinirvan Sthal: This is the site where Dr. Ambedkar attained Mahaparinirvana on December 6, 1956. The new Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial is a remarkable architectural marvel shaped like an open book (the Constitution) amidst expansive landscaped gardens. It commemorates the life journey of Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar, immortalizing his social, political, and economic contributions.
E) Chaitya Bhoomi: This is the site where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was laid to rest after his passing on December 6, 2017. Formerly known as Dadar Chowpatty, Chaitya Bhoomi holds immense reverence among Ambedkar's followers and features a memorial dedicated to the leader. The two-story Mumbai structure resembling a stupa stands over Dr. Ambedkar's cremation site, reflecting architectural inspiration drawn from his religious and philosophical pursuits. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the site.
Transforming Ambedkar's Vision into Action
Ambedkar, an emblem of social justice and the father of the Indian Constitution is known for his transformative approach towards removing social inequality and ensuring social justice. Ambedkar’s vision has ignited Prime Minister Modi's drive to realize an equitable and empowered society. The Modi administration stands unparalleled in translating Ambedkar's dream of uplifting the underprivileged into action. Virtually every cornerstone program, from Jan Dhan to MUDRA and beyond, prioritizes serving our society's most vulnerable and marginalized segments.
B.R. Ambedkar as a prominent social reformer also expressed his views on many urgent issues such as the need for industrialization, and women's empowerment. Taking inspiration from Ambedkar’s idea, Prime Minister Modi has not only elevated his perspectives on a broad spectrum but has also tirelessly strived to materialize this vision for the greater good of society. To realize the industrialization vision set forth by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the government led by Prime Minister Modi has implemented a series of significant reforms aimed at enhancing the 'Make in India' initiative. These reforms, including substantial reductions in corporate taxes and overhauling labour laws, have propelled India into the world's top five economies.
On numerous occasions, Prime Minister Modi has emphasized his commitment to translating Ambedkar's ideas into tangible reality. In the 42nd episode of 'Maan Ki Baat,' he explicitly stated that 'Make in India' aligns perfectly with Dr Ambedkar's vision of India as an industrial powerhouse. Similarly, programs like Startup India and Stand-Up India echo Ambedkar's unwavering belief in self-reliance.
A country’s progress highly relies on its infrastructure and ensuring basic amenities for all. Dr. Babasaheb's perspective on infrastructure was deeply rooted in his conviction regarding India's need for industrialization and its pivotal role in propelling both the nation's swift progress and the elevation of its people from poverty. Prime Minister Modi has diligently worked to fulfil Babasaheb's dream by boosting infrastructure such as electricity, roads, railways, and air connectivity. Notably, initiatives like SAUBHAGYA have guaranteed electricity access to underprivileged households.
Ambedkar was determined to ensure water for all. Taking inspiration from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, PM Modi has sought to take a holistic approach to the issue of water access to the masses. From resource management to last-mile tap connectivity, there is not a single aspect that has not seen PM Modi's personal touch. Schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission have provided tap water connections to 13 crore rural households.
PM Modi's commitment to realizing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's vision of providing education to the most underprivileged came to fruition with the introduction of the NEP 2020. This groundbreaking policy places the needs of 21st-century India at the forefront, bringing about revolutionary changes to the education system. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar strived for gender equality and diligently worked to create an enabling environment for women's progress. In line with his vision, PM Modi has enacted substantial reforms to empower women, including the abolition of Triple Talaq.
PM Modi's Vision of Immortalizing Ambedkar
Prime Minister Modi passionately championed Babasaheb's philosophy long before achieving political prominence. In 1987, while serving as the BJP General Secretary in Gujarat, Narendra Modi took the lead in mobilizing the party to erect statues of Babasaheb at various locations, paying homage to his legacy. As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he established Ambedkar Bhawans throughout the state. During his tenure in this role, a significant Samvidhan Yatra was organized to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. During this period, Narendra Modi organized the 'Nyay Yatra' in Gujarat, addressing critical issues such as farmers' concerns, drought relief, and the plight of Dalits and marginalized communities.
During his tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, through impassioned speeches, consistently underscored historical injustices in paying tribute to Babasaheb's legacy. One notable emphasis was on the prolonged delay in conferring the Bharat Ratna upon Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for decades. In 2010, CM Modi paid a fitting tribute to the architect of India's Constitution by conducting a 'Samvidhan Yatra' on the 60th Anniversary of the Indian Constitution. This procession featured a colossal replica of the Constitution, commencing at a statue of Dr. Ambedkar. CM Modi's respect for Ambedkar's ideals extended beyond words into government schemes, such as the Babasaheb Ambedkar Awas Navinkaran Yojana, which offered financial aid to disadvantaged sections of society. CM Modi also held Dr Ambedkar's message of 'Samajik Samrasta' in high regard, reflecting his commitment to social harmony.
In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Babasaheb Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan Divas by unveiling two commemorative coins, a significant part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. PM Modi's relentless commitment also led to the launch of transformative programs like the Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) in 31 Central Universities and the Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission, empowering the aspirations of S.C. students. Moreover, thanks to the Prime Minister's persistent efforts, landmarks like the Ambedkar International Centre have also emerged as prominent symbols of homage to Babasaheb. PM Modi inaugurated this centre on December 7, 2017, and it is built on an area of 3.25 acres at an estimated cost of Rs. 195 crores. The centre aims to address socio-political and economic inequalities through nuanced research efforts.
In conclusion, PM Modi's tribute to Ambedkar extends beyond ceremonial bows and includes tangible deeds that are in tune with Ambedkar's lasting influence on India's socio-political milieu. With reverence and resolve, PM Modi reaffirmed the nation's commitment to upholding Ambedkar's principles, ensuring that his timeless wisdom remains a guiding light for generations to come.
