NYC proclaims April 14 as ‘B. R. Ambedkar Day’

Mumbai/New York: In a historic move, the New York city has declared April 14 as ‘Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day’ to honor the Chief Architect of Indian Constitution, gladdening hearts of Indians, especially Dalits in the USA, officials said.

The distinction, first ever by a major US city, comes on Dr. Ambedkar’s 134th birth anniversary (Monday) and to recognize the contributions of one of the world’s most transformative champions of equality and civil rights.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams made the Proclamation, acknowledging the Columbia University educated Dr. Ambedkar’s towering legacy in advancing democracy, dignity, women’s empowerment and justice for historically marginalized communities.

“Dr. Ambedkar — whose message to his followers was ‘educate, agitate, organize!’—advocated against the exploitation of farmers and tenants in India, as well as the social institution of untouchability. He spent the rest of his life fighting for the diversity, equity and inclusion which, collectively, have long defined the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams.

Prominent Indians like New Jersey-India Commission (NJIC)’s Commissioner Deelip Mhaske and President of Foundation for Human Horizon; businessman and Nimit Palace Hotels founder Ashu Singh; ex-Columbia University Prof. Akansha Anand; Dr. Snehal Ukey, originally from Nagpur, and others warmly welcomed Mayor Adams’ initiative.

“In 2016, with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we initiated the first-ever Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It continues as one of the most important international observances in the UN,” Mhaske told The Perfect Voice from New York.

Another successful campaign was launched in New York for the Special Day to promote Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy while Parliaments in over 100 countries, UN Missions and academic institutions also celebrate his contributions to uplift the depressed sections globally, added Mhaske.

Earlier in 2023, Mhaske and others succeeded to co-name the East 63rd Street in Manhattan, NYC, as “Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Way” – the first-ever such dedication in any US street.

Since April 2023, New Jersey state’s Jersey City Hall hoists the iconic Dalit Flag – blue with a white Ashoka Chakra in the centre – for the entire month to commemorate Dr. Ambedkar, with over four dozen other events.

There are innumerable busts, statues and portraits of Dr. Ambedkar all over US and in public or private institutions where similar celebrations are carried out on all important days linked to the ‘Champion of the Masses’, said Mhaske.

Born on April 14, 1891 in Mhow (Central India, now in Madhya Pradesh), Dr. Ambedkar was a prominent freedom-fighter, India’s first Law Minister, the Chief Architect of the Constitution which came into force on Jan. 26, 1950 (now, celebrated as Republic Day).

On Dec. 6, 1956, Dr. Ambedkar succumbed to a brief illness at 65 in Delhi, and the next day, his mortal remains were consigned to the flames in a Buddhist cremation at Dadar Beach in Mumbai – with the place now a sacred monument called Chaityabhoomi.

Dr. Ambedkar on a budget in the US (1913-1916):

A bright, wide-eyed, already married young Bhimrao, then 22, landed in the US (1913) to pursue his post-graduations in the hallowed portals of the Columbia University in New York.

The opportunity for three years came when he bagged a Sterling Pound 138/year scholarship, launched by Maharaj Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda State.

Reaching the US barely months after his father died, Bhimrao survived on a shoe-string spending only $1.10 daily, plus sent some money home, studied mostly on the university campus or other local academic institutions to save time and resources.

He completed his MA and PhD in Columbia University, later, a PhD and DSc from London School of Economics, and also became a Barrister-at-Law in the UK, making him one of highest educated Indians of that dark era when India reeled under the British Rule.

From abroad, Bhimrao would write scores of letters to his family members, friends and others, sharing his concerns for caste and gender equality, democracy and social justice, liberation and empowerment, etc.

All of these later reflected when he drafted the Indian Constitution, which ranks among the finest treatises of its kind in the Democratic world and catapulted Bhimrao into a revered ‘Babasaheb’ for his followers all over.