News Highlight:
PM pays homage to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas and recalled his exemplary service to our nation.
Mahaparinirvan Diwas:
- About:
- A Sanskrit term which means release or freedom of the soul from the body after death.
- Parinirvana, regarded as one of the major principles as well as goals of Buddhism.
- Buddhist text Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the death of Lord Buddha at the age of 80 is considered as the original Mahaparinirvana.
- 6th December is observed to commemorate the unfathomable contribution to society given by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and his achievements.
- Ambedkar’s status as a Buddhist leader, his death anniversary is referred to as Mahaparinirvana Diwas.
- Importance of Mahaparinirvana Diwas:
- On 14 October 1956, Babasaheb converted to Buddhism after studying the religion for years in Nagpur.
- He even preached Buddhism later in his life, and was considered a Buddhist leader by his 5,00,000 strong followers.
- After his death on 6 December 1956, the mortal remains were cremated at Dadar Chowpatty in Mumbai, now known as Chaitya Bhoomi.
- Dr Ambedkar was considered a Buddhist guru because of his stature and contributions in eradicating untouchability in India.
- His followers believe that he was as influential, pure and blessed as Lord Buddha.
- It is for this reason that his death anniversary is considered as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar:
- Early life and Education:
- Born on 14 April 1891, in Madhya Pradesh, in a Mahar (Dalit) family.
- Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar faced a lot of harassment as an ‘untouchable’ and was subjected to socio-economic discrimination.
- After matriculation, he enrolled himself at Elphinstone College under Mumbai University.
- Post-graduation from Columbia University, and then completed his Bar course from the London School of Economics and becoming the first Indian to do so.
- Contribution to the Indian Society:
- Ambedkar joined India’s freedom movement and made a mark as a revolutionary freedom fighter, social reformer, economist, thinker, and politician.
- Babasaheb, along with Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhi, played a pivotal role in uplifting society’s poor and backward classes.
- led the Dalit Buddhist campaign from the front and worked persistently for their equal rights and betterment.
- Architect of the Indian Constitution:
- Post India’s independence, on 15 August 1947, the new Congress-led Government invited Ambedkar to serve as the nation’s first Law Minister, which he accepted
- On 29 August, he was appointed Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and the Assembly to write India’s new Constitution.
- He is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
- Important literary Works:
- The Buddha and His Dhamma
- Buddha Or Karl Marx
- The Annihilation of Caste
- Newspaper:
- Mooknayak
- Janta
Pic Courtesy: Wikicommons
Content Source: PIB