Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti at the Consulate General of India in Vancouver

THE 127th birth anniversary of ‘Baba Saheb’ Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was celebrated at the Consulate General of India on April 13. The celebrations were hosted by the Consulate General in partnership with Chetna Association of Canada in response to the proposal made by this association.

Dr. Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination against Untouchables (Dalits), while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He was independent India’s first law minister, the principal architect of the Constitution of India and a founding father of the Republic of India, according to Wikipedia.

“We were very pleased that the Consulate General of India accepted our proposal to celebrate life and achievements of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar and do so in partnership with Chetna Association of Canada,” announced Jai Birdi, General Secretary of Chetna Association of Canada.

Special guests who also spoke at the celebrations were Dr. Samir Gandesha, Director, Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University, and Dr. Anne Murphy, Co-Director, Center for India and South Asia Research at University of British Columbia. Both Murphy and Gandesha described Dr. Ambedkar as a multifaceted personality whose philosophy and wisdom are now being recognized and appreciated globally.

Abhilasha Joshi, Consul General of India, welcomed the community and shared a number of contributions Dr. Ambedkar had made. Joshi also made a particular reference to one of Dr. Ambedkar’s quote: “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.”

Raj Toora, a prominent community supporter and philanthropist, was recognized by Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha President Bill Basra and his colleagues in appreciation of contributions he makes everyday.

Others who attended included Virinder Gangar of Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Was charitable Trust, Barjinder Bhatti, Amarjit Kelley, Surjit Bains, Harmesh Chander, Ramlal Banger, Kamilla Singh, Kapil Badhan, Santosh Bhatti and Paramjit Mahmi.

Raj Dadral, a visiting singer from India, and Nirmata, an international student from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, sang songs in honor of Dr. Ambedkar. Other visiting artists who participated in the celebrations included Kanth Kaler, Vicky Moranwalia, Hardèep Bal, and Kuldeep Chumber.