JMI celebrates 136th birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar; Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of NCT of Delhi attends as Chief Guest
Nai Dilli : Marking the136th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a grand function reflecting on his legacy and contributions to the nation with Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, SC/ST Welfare, Cooperative & Election, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, as Chief Guest, was organised today at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) at the university’s Dr. M. A. Ansari Auditorium. Shri Indraj Sight was joined on the dais by Prof. Pramod Kumar Mehra, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), as the keynote speaker along with Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice-Chancellor, JMI and Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, JMI, in the presence of Prof Neelofer Afzal, Dean of Students Welfare and Prof. R. R. Patil, Head, Department of Social Work, JMI.
In his address to the gathering attended by the Controller of Examinations, Chief Proctor, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Officers of JMI, faculty members, staff and students, Prof. Rizvi drew attention to the seminal contributions of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, those of social justice, economic reform, labour reform, education and women’s empowerment. “It is Dr. Ambedkar who expanded and laid down clear and extensive fundamental rights that ensured equality among all citizens of the country, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, region or gender,” Prof Mahtab Alam Rizvi stated recalling other major contributions of Dr. Ambedkar related to education and economic reform, and reminding the house about how the Indian constitution is the lengthiest and and one of the finest constitutions of the world.
In his keynote address, Prof. Mehra remarked that “at a time when the big colonial empires were focusing on territorial expansion, conquests and control, Dr. Ambedkar was speaking about social justice”. He emphasized the educational philosophy of Dr Ambedkar and delved on the need for scholars and universities to engage with the figure of Dr. Ambedkar as a proponent of education and a lifelong learner who looked at education not as a way of acquiring a degree but as a space which integrated a multiplicity of ideas, disciplines and religious teachings. Reminding the audience Dr. Ambedkar’s scholarship and college days at Columbia and London School of Economics and calling him as ‘organic intellectual’, Prof Mehra said that Dr. Ambedkar always believed and held that “the cultivation of mind should be the ultimate purpose of human beings” and to truly live by Dr. Ambedkar’s teachings and legacy, “India has to be a knowledge producing country”.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, in his thought-provoking address, said that “Dr. Ambedkar is by far one of the most revered, loved, and respected sons of India who stands for selfless service to humanity”. He said, “the purpose, life, and struggles of Dr. Ambedkar has been the subject of intense research and scholarly writing, yet no amount of research on Dr. Ambedkar is enough to fully understand his extraordinary persona and exemplary life”. Describing Dr. Ambedkar as a man who did not own even one inch of land or any other material wealth but is the most loved and respected figure the nation has known, who fought for the dispossessed, the discriminated, and the weak, Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh added, “His life is a lesson in itself. Today India is scaling new heights but no vision of India is complete without a vision of Ambedkar indelibly tied to it”. The Hon’ble Minister congratulated JMI stating that “JMI is one great institution of the country which truly epitomizes, reflects and espouses the philosophy and teachings of Dr. Ambedkar. The youth of today needs to engage with the ideas and values that Dr. Ambedkar stood for all his life.”
Emphasizing his legacy as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, promoting social equality, law and justice,dignity and respect of all human beings, Prof. Asif, VC, JMI said that “today as we celebrate his 136th birth anniversary, it is a day of pride and honour for all Indians, a day which recognises dignity and respect of all fellow human beings”. Stating that Dr. Ambedkar was tremendously influenced by the teachings of Lord Buddha, Saint Kabir and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Prof. Asif added that “Baba Saheb Ambedkar called for dignity of all individuals and it is our collective responsibility to help our dispossessed brethren. Today is a day on which a great man was born in a great country”.
Prof. Patil delivered the vote of thanks followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Special lectures, talks, and cultural programmes are being conducted by different Centres and Departments of JMI since April 13th, 2026 as part of the nationwide celebrations commemorating the 136th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
