‘Do Struggle, get organized and bring social change’ was the mantra of Ambedkar- Buddist monk. Gyaneshwar says.

Dr BR Ambedkar was a great revolutionist who brought change in the life of many and still a motivational force behind many people. The General Secretary Kushinagar Bhikshu sangh and permanent individual member of World Buddhist Sangh Council, Sant Gyaneshwar,79, is Ambedkar’s  Guru brother as both of them took oath in Pali language under same guru, Bhante Chadramani.

Buddhist monk  Gyaneshwar, says, “Dr.  Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956 at Nagpur and took oath under My Guru Bouddh Bhikshu Bhantte Chandramani. A huge number of people got converted to Buddhism in search of social equality. On 20^th November, 1956, Dr Ambedkar delivered his speech in 4^th World Buddhist Conference at Kathmandu and the title of the speech was ‘Buddha of Karl Marx’.” “ All his life he worked for social equality and brotherhood and use to say ‘ Do struggle, Get Organized and bring Social Change( Sangharsh Karo, Sangathit ho aur samaj badlo).”

Dr. Ashok Verma, BSP leader, says, “ I joined BSP when I met Gyaneshwarji and Lt Kashiram ji was with me that time. Baba sb was great son of motherland.”

Dadaji

Ram Swaroop Prasad popularly known as Dadaji, 90, a resident of Pava , Kushinagar, remembers, Dr. BR Ambedkar, “ I met him many times and especially when he came to Kushinagar. Only few days before his death on 30^th November 1956, Baba sb came to Kushinagar and addressed public in open. After delivering speech in 4^th World Buddhist Council in Kathmandu, Nepal he came to Gorakhpur and then went to Kushinagar. He always used to say that education is the only way through which we could come up.” “ Ealier we were not allowed to drink water from the source of water where so-called upper caste people use to take water. We were not allowed to enter in the temples and we were treated like animals and Baba Sb fought against all such evil for the society. He showed us the light of education as it is the only way through which we could get equal status in the society.” “ He was a real Buddhist as he use to say that Buddhism is the only religion which is above the social evil of caste system and touchability.” Dadaji added.

Udai Chand, advocate and social activist, son in law of Dadaji, says, “People come and touch Dadaji’s hands as once Dadaji touched hands of Baba sb. People worship him and see the image of Baba sb in him. He is a motivation behind all of us.”

Dr BR Ambedkar was real society reformer

 On 125^th Anniversary, many NGOs and political parties and student organizations have announced their programs to celebrate the day with vigor and enthusiasm. Baba sahib was a great thinker and his vision and ideas are very relevant for a developed nation. 

A lot of people claim that they get inspired by Baba sahib but very few among are well acquainted with philosophy and thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar and all they know him is as either the architect of our constitution or Dalit reformer. His thoughts and work for women, his ideas and vision for social justice and humanity, politics and nation is still not known to many but with new technology and ease of getting information youth has started reading about the great thinker and reformer of the motherland.

The intervention of new technology has helped us in knowing the vision and thoughts of Baba Sahib, Dhirendra Pratap, president Poorvanchal sena, says, “Baba sahib was a liberal and democrat to the core in thought and action. He gave shape to our Constitution that promotes democratic values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity and is anchored in secularism and social justice. We get inspiration from his thoughts and easily relate to his vision but unfortunately very few people know about the great person as all most of the people know him as architect of constitution but with the emergence of internet and social media the awareness about him among youth has tremendously increased.”

Dr. Sushma Pandey, DDU Gorakhpur University, said, “Ambedkar was a great nationalist, political thinker, reformer and revolutionary and prolific writer with prodigious ideas. He stood for all scientific and social activities which enhanced the cause of human progress and happiness. His contribution in the making of the Constitution of India was phenomenal. I agree that today youth is comparatively more aware but the knowledge level is not appropriate as they are able to internalize the information. This is the one among the reason behind less awareness about Baba sahib. With busy schedule of parents and lack of joint family system children are not getting acquainted with great personalities of the nation.”

On the same lines Aman Paswan , Ambedkar wadi Chatra sabha says, “ Apart from constitution, Baba sahib has done a lot of things for societal reforms but unfortunately many people think of his as Dalit leader. People know very less about him and make limited picture of his personality. He did a lot for women rights education and labors. He stressed on humanity rather than any particular caste or sect and untouchability is curse of society and he strongly stood against it. With his mantra of ‘educate, agitate and organize’ he worked for 8 hrs duty of labors instead of 12 hrs duty. I appeal to all people of India to first get aware of Baba sahib thoughts and work and then make any remark or statements on the great soul. His aim was not communal and not limited to personal benefit, but it was essentially social and human, related to all whom suffered from slavery, injustice, tyranny and exploitation. Dr Ambedkar’s principle was not to fight against the particular persons who created a frustrating situation for him and his fellow sufferers, because the cause of the situation was not these persons but the social philosophy which supported a social system of inequalities. His long-range response was a direct attack against the root cause.”

Today most of the politicians are playing caste and religion politics instead of politics of real issues and they lack in will for working for development of country and Baba Sahib was against caste system says, Swatabtra Kumar, “Ambedkar was totally committed to the annihilation of the caste system. Caste system has brought social divide in the nation and politicians are playing games of dirty politics and using caste system as their shield and tool. According to him, caste system is not merely a division of labour but a division of labourers. It is a hierarchy in which the division of labourers is graded one above other. This division of labour is based on neither natural aptitude nor choice of the individual concerned. It is, therefore, harmful as it involves the subordination of man’s natural powers and inclinations to the exigencies of social rules.”

Ambedkar worked a lot for women right but unfortunately many women are not aware of it, says Anu Prasad, research scholar of Psychology department, DDU Gorakhpur University, “Women should read Ambedkar and they will be aware of their rights and there is misconception that Ambedkar was only Dalit leader he worked for all the society and he was leader of the nation. At school level children knw very less about him, I think his works and vision should be included in school books in more elaborate manner.”

Ambedkar was great leader and we connect to his ideas, says Shantanu, ABVP, leader, “ Dr Ambedkar ideology and vision is matchless but unfortunately most of the people now spreading the distorted version of his philosophy. He worked for education and we also think that without education development of the nation is not possible.”

 Ashwani Gupta, research scholar, Business Administration department, DDU Gorakhpur University, says, “Many political parties only use his name to woo vote bank and not make people aware of his vision, thoughts and work.  He defiantly fought for the betterment of the oppressed classes. And in this struggle, he showed rare crusading spirit, carving out in the process an important place for himself among the prominent architects of modern India.”