By Chetna Association of Canada

HEARTFELT gratitude and tributes were paid on December 6 to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 65th death anniversary. The day is now popularly known as the Dr. Ambedkar Maharprinirvan Day. Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956, and left a positive impact on the lives of millions of Indians in India and across the Diaspora.

Activities included visiting Burnaby City Hall, Simon Fraser University, and Dr. Ambedkar Library at Guru Ravidass Community Center in Burnaby.

Visits were led by Consul General of India Manish and were facilitated by Chetna Association of Canada with the support of Guru Ravidass Sabha and AICS (Ambedkarite International Co-Ordination Society of Canada).

While Dr. Ambedkar’s portraits are installed at Burnaby City Hall, Surrey Center Library, Guru Ravidass Community Center, and the Indian Consulate General office in Vancouver, the bronze bust of the great personality is proudly displayed at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Campus. Garlands and flowers were offered at the paintings and the bust of Dr. Ambedkar.

Special thanks to Burnaby Councillor Sav Dhaliwal and Dr. Gwen Bird, Dean of Libraries at Simon Fraser University, for their immense support to these activities were expressed by the organizers.

On November 26, the Constitution Day of India was also celebrated in Surrey, where scholars shed light on the effectiveness of the Constitution of India in providing framework for equality, liberty, and fraternity. Community activists and scholars were also recognized and awarded for their contributions to enhancing inclusion.

In addition to advancing economic, political, and social rights and conditions of women, minorities, and the marginalized communities, Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions towards reviving Buddhism in India and the Indian sub-continent are well noted and celebrated.