KKN Gurugram Desk | Today marks the 134th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, one of India’s most visionary leaders, jurists, economists, and social reformers. Popularly known as Babasaheb, Ambedkar’s thoughts, speeches, and writings continue to inspire millions across India and around the world.
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As the father of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar not only played a central role in shaping modern India but also dedicated his life to fighting social injustice, caste discrimination, and inequality. On this day, his followers, students, intellectuals, and political leaders remember him by sharing his most impactful quotes and discussing his ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Why Ambedkar Jayanti is Celebrated
Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated every year on April 14th to commemorate the birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1891, at Mhow (now in Madhya Pradesh). His contributions range from leading the Dalit rights movement to being the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
In 2025, the day is being observed across India with social gatherings, seminars, book exhibitions, and digital campaigns to spread awareness about Ambedkar’s philosophy.
Top 10 Inspirational Quotes by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Here are ten of Dr. Ambedkar’s most powerful and timeless quotes that continue to resonate with India’s social and political fabric:
1. “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.”
2. “Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence.”
3. “If I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it.”.
4. “Freedom of mind is the real freedom.”
5. “Law and order are the medicine of the body politic and when the body politic gets sick, medicine must be administered.”
6. “Be educated, be organized, and be agitated.
7. “A just society is that society in which ascending sense of reverence and descending sense of contempt is dissolved into the creation of a compassionate society.”
8. “Equality may be a fiction but nonetheless one must accept it as a governing principle.”
9. “Democracy is not a form of government, but a form of social organization.”
10. “Life should be great rather than long.”
Ambedkar’s Global Influence
Few Indian leaders enjoy global recognition like Dr. Ambedkar. His influence extends far beyond caste reform. As an economist, he drafted policies that shaped India’s central banking system, advocated for labour rights, and raised early alarms on water management and industrial policy.
In recent years, his work has been cited in United Nations forums, and his writings are being translated into multiple languages across the world.
Social Media Celebrations and Digital Tributes
On Ambedkar Jayanti 2025, millions are taking to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to share his photos, quotes, and videos. From politicians to students, everyone is participating in the virtual celebration.
Hashtags like:
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#AmbedkarJayanti2025
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#BabasahebAmbedkar
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#AmbedkarQuotes
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#EqualityForAll
are trending nationwide.
Digital posters, illustrated quotes, and reels of Ambedkar’s speeches are widely circulated, especially among the youth.
Dr. Ambedkar’s Legacy in Today’s India
Ambedkar’s vision for India was of a nation built on liberty, equality, and fraternity—values that are deeply embedded in the Preamble of our Constitution. His ideas are more relevant today than ever before, especially in discussions around:
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Reservation policy and its future
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Caste-based discrimination in institutions
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Access to education for marginalized communities
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Judicial and electoral reforms
Several educational institutions, including Delhi University, JNU, TISS, and IGNOU, organized panel discussions, essay competitions, and documentary screenings to revisit Ambedkar’s contributions.
What Educators Say About Ambedkar
Dr. Anuradha Singh, a professor of Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said:
“Ambedkar’s relevance goes far beyond the Dalit movement. His work was foundational for India’s democratic and economic structure. Every young Indian must engage with his writings.”
Memorials and Tributes Across India
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Chaitya Bhoomi (Mumbai): Thousands gather every year at his resting place
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Deekshabhoomi (Nagpur): A historic site where Ambedkar converted to Buddhism
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Statues and rallies across UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and more
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Floral tributes at Parliament House and state assemblies
State governments also announced scholarship schemes, cleanliness drives, and community meals in his memory.
Events and Speeches in His Honor
Many prominent leaders including:
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President of India
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi
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Chief Ministers of various states delivered speeches recalling Babasaheb’s life and achievements.
Several quoted his iconic lines, especially the one inscribed at Parliament:
“We are Indians, firstly and lastly.”
Spiritual Legacy and Conversion to Buddhism
On 14 October 1956, Dr. Ambedkar led a mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism, marking a spiritual revolution. This remains a significant moment in Indian religious history.
Today, many followers mark Ambedkar Jayanti by reciting Dhammapada verses, attending Buddhist prayer meetings, and reading The Buddha and His Dhamma, written by Ambedkar himself.
Ambedkar Jayanti: A Day to Reflect and Recommit
Ambedkar Jayanti is not just a celebration but a reminder—of the ongoing fight against inequality, the value of education, and the duty of citizenship.
His words still ignite change. His life remains a blueprint for courage, intellect, and reform.
