The grand function of the Ambedkar Birth Centenary Celebration in the UK was held on the April 14 at the Commonwealth Hall, the Royal Commonwealth Society in London, to coincide with the actual birthdate of Babasaheb Ambedkar and represented the culmination of two years of functions, exhibitions, seminars and lectures in UK in honour of the life and work of this greatest Indian after the Buddha.
Among the guests were the High Commissioner for India, Dr. L.M. Singhvi; Nirmal Roy, the Mayor of Camden; Lord Bottomley; Baroness Shreela Flather; Dr William Stones, Chair of the Karuna Trust (Aid for India). The special guest of the day was Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
The Hall was packed and the attention of the audience was held throughout. People had travelled from far and wide: representatives from Ambedkarite organisations in India, USA, Canada, Germany and “Denmark attended.
C. Gautam, General Secretary of the Ambedkar Centenary Celebration Committee, in his welcome speech said: “The long-awaited time for the fulfilment of the mission to which Dr. Ambedkar dedicated his _ life has truly arrived. Dr Ambedkar was India’s greatest crusader for human rights.” Midha Jakhu, a research student, said Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy has continued to gain respect and influence.
H.L. Virdee, President, and D.R. Raiiu, General Secretary of the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations, followed Gautam.
Buddha brought back to India: Dr William Stones (Dhammachari Virabhadra), appreciated the efforts the Committee had made in bringing together Ambedkarite organisations. As a British Buddhist who has done social work in India, he related how he felt a link, almost a personal link, with the work of Dr Ambedkar: he had seen the legacy of Babasaheb’s work in India.
The Ven. Dr Siri Sumana from Buddhist vihara, Birmingham, stated that the day’s gathering was a fitting way to hen our Dr Ambedkar’s memory as the true revivalist of Buddhism in modem India. Babasaheb brought the Buddha back to the land of his birth.
Baroness Shreela Flather, first person of Indian origin in the House of Lords, called for applause for the Committee for organizing such a splendid celebration day for the Ambedkar Birth Centenary.
Lord Bottomley referred to the Round Table Conference of 1931, when he first came into contact with Dr. Ambedkar, thus providing a fascinating living testimony to those historical events which occurred 60 years ago. Later, in 1946, Prime Minister Clement Dalit Voice Attlee sent, a group of MPs, including Lord Bottomley, to India as a commission deciding several important issues relating to the coming Independence. It was Lord Bottomley’s particular mission, as an MP with a trade union background, to meet Dr Ambedkar in order to discuss labor conditions and rights in India. Dr. Ambedkar had been instrumental in establishing many trade unions and preparing laws recognizing these rights.
Centenary Awards presented: Dr. L.M. Singhvi paid a glowing tribute which revealed new aspects of Dr. Ambedkar’s work relating to the drafting of the Constitution and at the same time his crusade for human rights. The High Commissioner also launched the publication of Volume Ill of the Ambedkar Centenary Commemoration souvenir on the day. This third volume is the completion of a series which has won acclaim from academics and Ambedkarite alike worldwide.
Chanan Chahal, Chairman ACCC, UK, gave a speech summarizing the lasting value and message of Ambedkar’s life’s work and emphasizing the importance of the Centenary Celebration. Dr. Ambedkar indicated the direction for a path leading to a just society, he said.
Countess Mountbatten of Burma made the presentation of Ambedkar Centenary Awards on behalf of the Committee. The presentation was made to the following, among whom some were present to receive their awards in person. The other will be given at later ceremonies. Lord Bottomley; posthumously, Ven Dr. H. Sadgati’s; Ven Bhante Sangha Akshita; Kenneth Griffith; Cllr Sinna Mani; posthumously, Richard Hauser; Reverend Jesse Jackson; Nelson Mandela; Ram Vilas Paswan; Bhagwan Das; L.R. Balley; I. Shiva Lingaiah; Vasant Moon; N.C. Ratu; Anand Teltumbde; V.T. Rajshekar; Ramesh Chandra Parmar; People’s Education Society; Dr Ambedkar Memorial Committee GB, Wolverhampton.
M.S. Bahal, Publicity Secretary of the ACCC, thanked the guests.
