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BhimraoAmbedkar is popularly known as BabasahebAmbedkar. He was an Indian economist, jurist, politician, writer, philosopher and social reformer. He is also popular as the Father of the Nation. He was the leading activist and his efforts to eliminate social evils like caste restrictions and untouchability were remarkable.
He fought for the rights of socially backward classes and Dalits throughout his life. He was employed as India’s first law minister in the Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1990 Bharat Ratna award was declared on his name, unfortunately when he was no more.
Early Life of BhimraoAmbedkar
BhimraoAmbedkar was the son of Bhimabai and Ramji born on 14th April 1891 in Mhow Army cantonment, central provinces MP. His father was a subedar in Indian army. His family moved to satara after his father’s retirement in 1894. Shortly after, his mother passed away and the children were looked after by their aunt. Baba SahebAmbedkar his two brothers Balarama and Anand Rao and two sisters Manjula and Tulasa survived. And out of all the children only Ambedkar went to higher school. Four years later after his mother passed away, his father married again and the family moved to Bombay. At the age of 15 he married to Ramabai.
He was born in the poor Dalit Caste family and his family was regarded as untouchable by the upper class families. All through his childhood he faced the humiliation of caste discrimination. BabasahebAmbedkar’s ancestors had served long for the army and his father worked in the British East Indian Army. Though the untouchables attended schools they were given little consideration by the teachers.
They had to sit outside the class and were segregated from that of Brahmins and privileged society. Even when they needed to drink water, someone from upper class would pour water from height as they were not allowed to touch water and the vessel that contained it. The peon used to pour water for BabaSahebAmbedkar. He described this in his writings ‘No peon No water’. The humiliation terrified Ambedkar at the Army School. Everywhere he had to face this segregation and humiliation in the society.
Education: BhimraoAmbedkar
He was the only Untouchable who joined Elphinstone High School in Mumbai. He was enrolled to the Elphinstone College in 1908 after passing his matriculation exam. His success was a reason to celebrate for untouchables as he was the first one to do so. He acquired his degree in economics and political science in 1912 from Bombay University. He received a Baroda State Scholarship under the scheme established by SayajiraoGaekwad and enrolled to Columbia University in New York to study Economics.
In June 1915 he received his Master’s degree majors in economics and other subjects as history, sociology, philosophy and politics. In 1916 he joined London School of Economics and worked on his thesis; “The problem of the rupee: its origin and solution”. In 1920 he went to England. He received the Doctorates degree by London University. In 1927 he obtained his PhD in economics.
Conclusion
In spite of his childhood hardships and poverty Dr. B.R Ambedkar with his efforts and dedication went on to become the highest educated Indian of his generation. He was the first Indian to receive Doctorate Degree in Economics abroad.