Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, was a visionary, a philosopher, and a true nationalist.
His life has been an inspiring example for millions of Indians, be it young students, professionals or common citizens, they all look up to him as an idol who contributed immensely despite several limitations that a person would have in India of those days.
Ambedkar had a tough life as he faced faced discrimination and social exclusion due to his Dalit caste background throughout his life.
He, however, proved to be a brilliant student and earned a scholarship to study at Columbia University in New York, where he got a PhD in economics.
He went on securing many more degrees from reputed universities of the world and became a well known figure not only in India but in other countries as well.
Ambedkar led several social movements to secure human rights to the oppressed and depressed sections of the society. He still stands as a symbol of the struggle for social justice in India.
Born on 14 April 1891, he was one of 14 children born to his parents. He died on 6 December, 1956, a day that India observes as 'Mahaparinirvan Divas'.
Every year on this day, thousands of Dalits and others, including politicians and leaders of the country, pay tribute to the legacy of the Dalit icon.
Ambedkar, who was conferred with the 'Bharat Ratna', India's highest civilian award in 1990, was also one of the seven members of the committee that drafted the Indian Constitution after independence.
Famous Quotes by B.R. Ambedkar:
"They cannot make history who forget history"
"Be educated, be organized, and be agitated"
"I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality, and fraternity"
"Life should be great rather than long"
"If I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it"
"Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence"