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Ambedkar honored at UN, NYC declares April 14 his day
The gathering was attended by Permanent Representatives of various UN missions, members of the diplomatic corps, Indian diaspora, and students.
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Pranavi Sharma - Tue, 15, Apr 2025
- 02:48 EDT
- 175
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Permanent Representatives of various UN missions, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Indian diaspora, and students also attended the gathering. / Courtesy Photo
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations marked the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar with a commemorative event titled “Timeless Appeal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Vision in the United Nations and Beyond” at the UN Headquarters on Apr.14.
The event celebrated the enduring global relevance of the Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer whose intellectual journey began in New York City. It occurred on the same day the city formally recognized it as “Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day” through an official proclamation signed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The guests included India’s Ambassador to the U.S., P. Harish, and Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale. Permanent Representatives of various UN missions, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Indian diaspora, and students also attended the gathering.
Minister Ramdas Athawale, in his keynote address, described Dr. Ambedkar as “a beacon for all humanity and a global advocate for equality, dignity, and democracy.” He outlined several flagship initiatives the Government of India undertook to translate Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals into transformative action, including programs in education, vocational training, and livelihood development. Athawale also emphasized Ambedkar’s relevance in the collective effort to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda.
The guests included India’s Ambassador to the U.S., P. Harish, and Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale. / Courtesy PhotoAmbassador P. Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s commitment to modernization, industrialization, and urbanization, grounded in the pursuit of progress and happiness for all. He drew parallels between Ambedkar’s emphasis on fraternity as a core principle of nation-building and the values enshrined in the UN Charter. “We cannot have the morality of 1945 guiding the conduct between nations and peoples in 2025,” Ambassador Harish remarked, referring to ongoing discussions around reform as the UN approaches its 80th anniversary.
Dr. Santosh Raut, visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School, quoted Dr. Ambedkar, saying: “Democracy is not merely a form of government but primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience.” Dr. Raut emphasized the need for robust constitutional protections for marginalized communities, noting that “political equality alone cannot overcome entrenched social hierarchies.”
During the event, Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Innovation at the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, announced that Mayor Eric Adams had officially proclaimed April 14, 2025, as Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day in the city of New York. Chauhan spoke about Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy as a global icon for justice, equality, and human dignity, noting the significance of his ideals in a city like New York.
“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 marginalized. 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, energized by its diversity, and united by its shared belief in opportunity and inclusion,” Chauhan said.
Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for Trade. / Courtesy Photo
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