Rajgriha a hub of activity ahead of birth anniversary

There is a buzz in the air at Rajgriha, the residence of Dr B.R. Ambedkar located in Hindu Colony at Dadar, as supporters and family members of Dr Ambedkar are leaving no stone unturned in planning and discussing preparations ahead of the 125th birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, which falls today.

It is engaging to find that even after 60 years death of Dr Ambedkar’s death, he still rules the heart of the today’s young generation through his literature.

Many students prefer reading his writings on the socio economic plight of the people then and emancipation of Dalit and backward classes from exploitation.

Dr Ambedkar spent six years in Rajgriha from 1936 to 1942, which still has around 39,000 books from his personal collection in the library situated on the ground floor.

With an aim to spread Dr Ambedkar’s thoughts, his grandson donates a few of the books to various universities in the state, including Mumbai University every year.

Umesh Kasbe, a student from Siddharth College in Fort, likes reading Ambedkarite literature as he can relate it with the current social scenario. “A person whose collection we read today makes me realise that whatever Dr Ambedkar wrote in the pre and post-independence era of the country is turning into reality today. He had well in advance written about abolishing practices, which promoted or prompted discrimination on basis of caste and class. The discriminations are still prevalent. Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula’s suicide has highlighted the widespread distress among the backward classes who become a subject of exploitation,” Kasbe said.

The People’s Education Society, which was formed by Dr Ambedkar back in 1944, helps the grandsons in successfully spreading Dr Ambdekar’s personal collection of books to various universities and schools in the state.

Tejas Kasare, a law student turned photographer, said reading Ambedkarite literature broadened his perspective.