SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR UT CHANDIGARH SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF BOOK ON THE LIFE OF BABA SAHEB DR. BHIM RAO AMBEDKAR AT PUNJAB RAJ BHAWAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2021.

Good Evening to all dignitaries present here on the occasion of today's Book Launch.

It is a matter of great honour and privilege for me to release a book on Baba Sahib Dr Bhim Rao Ram Ji Ambedkar who was one of the tallest leaders of the 20th century and is still revered in the whole of the nation.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow town of Madhya Pradesh, India. He was the son of Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai. His father served in the Indian Army at the Mhow cantonment. He became one of the first Dalits to obtain college education in India, eventually earning a law degree and doctorates for his study and research in law, economics and political science.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is popularly known as 'Babasaheb'. He was an Indian jurist, political leader, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, orator, economist, teacher, editor, prolific writer and a revolutionary. He became the 1st Law Minister of Independent India. He became the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. For his contributions, he was awarded with 'Bharat Ratna', the greatest civilian award given by the Government of India.

Talking about Dr. Ambedkar, I am reminded of Dr. Ambedkar?s words from his address to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949: ?In addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds, we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.? This shows he was a true nationalist and was very much concerned with the unity of India.

Dr. Ambedkar?s vision was of an India where the social system and economy would permit the comprehensive development of human potential and ensure a dignified existence for all our citizens. His message, work and life are a constant reminder of the outstanding Constitution, strong democracy and effective, independent institutions we have inherited from the founding fathers of our nation. At the same time, it also reminds us of the distance we still need to travel in building an egalitarian society where there will be no distinction between man and man.

The architect of the modern India, Dr Ambedkar attained parinirvana on 6 December 1956 at his home in Delhi.

This book is a compilation of various articles published in Panchjanya by most learned persons. In this book, the Editor Sh. Hitesh Shankar has tried his best to depict the true personality of Dr Ambedkar.

This book, which is written in Gurmukhi, is much needed, as it will reach very wider sections of the Punjabi speaking society in India and across the world. It will also encourage more writers to elucidate on various other aspects of the life and works of Baba Sahib Dr Ambdekar especially to the people of Punjab. This book is the result of the research and contribution of the Panchjanya magazine to elicit the multidimensional personality of Dr Ambedkar, which is enriched with long lasting struggle for downtrodden, poor, deprived sections of the society and women.

The organisers of this event, Scheduled Castes Ekta Empowerment Forum, Punjab have also played an important role in bringing this book to a wider audience through its social networks and people to people contacts. It is a collective effort which deserves appreciation as the book uncovers the life of a man whose life deserves to be celebrated and taught to every Indian.

The scholarly articles written in this book elucidates on the prime message of Baba Saheb Ambedkar of achieving the lofty ideals of equality, progressive development of India with a strong foundation of social justice. Such an ideal still continues to guide us in the current times also.

The endeavour of the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi is also in the same direction of fulfilling these aspirations of Dr Ambedkar.

Let us all strive to achieve the ideals for which Baba Sahib Ambedkar stood for and also join our hands in realising the Prime Minister's vision of 'New India' which is not only progressive but also provides social justice to all.

Thank You

Jai Hind.