New York [US], April 15 (ANI): The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations marked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary with a special commemorative event at the UN headquarters in New York, attended by global leaders.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said, “Today, the permanent mission of India in New York organised this important function. We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Not only all over India, but many countries are celebrating.” He conveyed appreciation to India’s Permanent Mission to the UN for its “steadfast commitment towards international dialogue, social justice and inclusion.”
Deelip Mhaske, President of the Foundation for Human Horizon, proposed that Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy should be elevated to the global stature of Nelson Mandela. He thanked the Mayor of New York for the support in honoring Dr. Ambedkar.
Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, emphasized Dr. Ambedkar’s global relevance. He said, “Dr. Ambedkar was more than the principal architect of the Indian Constitution–he was a visionary thinker, a tireless reformer, and an advocate for the marginalised. His ideals go beyond borders and time, finding strong connections in the halls of the United Nations and in a city like New York–a city built by immigrants, energised by its diversity, and united by its shared belief in opportunity and inclusion.”
Chauhan further added, “Dr. Ambedkar showed us that inclusion is not a favour but a fundamental right. He taught us to confront injustice not with silence but with solidarity. His legacy compels us to build bridges across cultures, amplify the voices of the oppressed, and challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality, wherever they may be.”
In his concluding remarks, he stated, “As we gather today, let us recommit ourselves to the values Dr. Ambedkar lived and died for–liberty, equality, fraternity, and dignity for every human being.”
During the ceremony, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, also highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions as a key figure in India’s freedom struggle and as the architect of its Constitution.
Previously, while speaking to ANI, Ramdas Athawale reflected on Dr. Ambedkar’s impact, particularly in Maharashtra, noting how the world has come to recognize his name and philosophy. He pointed out that intellectuals across the globe are embracing Ambedkar’s ideals.
Athawale shared how Dr. Ambedkar was an exceptional student who spent countless hours studying at the library in Columbia University, where a statue now honors his legacy. He also emphasized the support Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy has received under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who initiated the national celebration of November 26 as Constitution Day.
Athawale said, “The government is fully supporting Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s philosophy.”
Deelip Mhaske also told ANI that throughout the United States, efforts are being made to work with local and state governments to proclaim Ambedkar’s Day as Equality Day.
In a historic move, New York City has proclaimed April 14 as “Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day,” in recognition of the principal architect of India’s Constitution on what would have been his 134th birth anniversary.
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