Revisiting Dr. Ambedkar's Thoughts And Philosophy

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Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar was one of the illustrious sons of India who worked for social integration. Human dignity and self-respect were central to his social philosophy which rested on the bedrock of egalitarianism. Dr. Ambedkar was the champion of Social Justice and probably the greatest Indian thinker on democracy who advocated the principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. His views on diverse national concerns were quite pragmatic. 'Revisiting Dr. Ambedkar's Thoughts and Philosophy' is a humble attempt to succinctly present Ambedkar's invaluable insights on different facets of Indian society, polity and economy.

Prof. C. Sheela Reddy worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, during 2006-2011 At the University, she taught Public Administration, Research Methodology and International Relations She joined Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) as Associate Professor of Socio-Political Development (Applied Social Science) in 2011. Her broad areas of interest include: Governance, Public Policy Issues, Ambedkar's Thought and Philosophy, and International Relations. She became Chair Professor, Dr.Ambedkar Chair in Social Justice, IIPA in 2016 and continued till January 2021 She was proactively involved in research and organized value-adding workshops, memorial lectures, and seminars on Social Justice and Philosophy of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, focusing on issues such as Social Exclusion, Inclusion, Marginalization, etc. She published extensively in national and international journals and has authored six books. Her books entitled 'Food Security and Food production. Institutional Challenges in Governance Domain' and 'Good Governance The Changing Contours' have been received well in academic circles. Prof. Reddy is also actively engaged in Evaluation and Research Studies in respect of Government Schemes and Projects which provide feedback and policy advocacy to the Departments. She served as the Co-Editor of the prestigious Journal of IIPA, Indian Journal of Public Administration (IJPA). She is widely travelled and visited Sri Lanka, France, U. K., Singapore, China, Australia, South Africa, Italy, Hungary, and USA on academic assignments. She is a member of many professional bodies, participated and presented papers in several national/ international seminars and conferences. Currently, she is the Principal, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi.

Very few historic figures intrigue, fascinate, and excite the human intellect as Babasaheb Dr. BR Ambedkar. He was a symbol of knowledge, a reflective thinker, and a prolific communicator. He was able to reach a spectrum of audiences from all walks and genres in India and abroad through his lucid literary and communicative skills, comparative analysis, and narratives. He vented his intellectual endeavours on multifarious subjects across different platforms. He has left behind thought-provoking writings and speeches bearing interdisciplinary perspectives with insightful analysis of socio-political situations. His writings encompass a profound sense of justice manifested in his struggle for the emancipation of marginalized masses. His views on inclusiveness continue to inspire national endeavors.

The history of modern India records the contributions of Dr. Ambedkar with ample awe, his ability to awaken the subjugated and downtrodden people of India through his scholarly writings, inspiring speeches and competent leadership. His erudition and scholarship have been widely acknowledged. His intellectual interests covered a wide range of subjects, including anthropology, religion, philosophy, political theory, sociology, social psychology, history, and economics. He was a multifaceted personality who envisioned a new world order for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections and disadvantaged classes of the society. His life stands out as a testimony to the ideal of securing human dignity for all. His ideas are deeply embedded in a secular and modern understanding of human society.

Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar was a great social reformer and champion of human rights who spent his whole life for establishing a more equitable society. He had no support of a wealthy family, nor fortune or political patronage but by sheer hard work he could pursue his studies abroad and acquired several educational qualifications in various subjects.

He returned to India and started working for the emancipation of the downtrodden people. He participated in various meetings and delivered thought provoking speeches. His writings encompassed profound sense of justice and no other leader served so well for vital dimension of self respect.

Dr. Ambedkar delivered large number of speeches on a wide range of subjects in diverse regional, national and International fora. In the course of his eventful life, he made outstanding contribution as an Economist, Sociologist, Educationist and a Constitutional Expert. No other mass leader in India has produced such a voluminous writings as Dr. Ambedkar did and the range of subjects is equally amazing.

The two learned authors' have delved deep into the ocean of the writings of Dr. Ambedkar and selectively chosen the pearls and published in the form of this book. This book will be a good asset to the Ambedkar literature and I am sure it will be received by the readers with full appreciation. My hearty congratulations to the learned authors and wish that many more such contributions blossom from their literary skills.

Dr. B.R.Ambedkar's life (April 14, 1891-December 6, 1956) and philosophy is a profile of courage and conviction. He firmly believed that "Life should be great rather than long" and his life testifies this statement. Dr. Ambedkar was one of the most outstanding intellectuals of India in the 20th century and is the most celebrated Indian leader, thinker, and social philosopher of the 21" century. Certain concerns of political philosophy such as justice, liberty, equality, democracy, community, authority, legitimacy etc. were his life-long pursuits. In dealing with them, his was an inclusive discourse of emancipation. Paul Baran, an eminent Marxist economist, had made a distinction in one of his essays between an intellect worker and an intellectual. The former, according to him, is one who uses his intellect for making a living whereas the latter is one who uses it for critical analysis and social transformation. Dr. Ambedkar fits Baran's definition of an intellectual very well. He is also an outstanding example of what Antonio Gramsci called an organic intellectual, that is, one who represents and articulates the interests of an entire social class. At a time, when he was facing and experiencing discrimination and marginalization, Dr. Ambedkar championed the cause of women, not only of the marginalized but of the upper class.

Dr. Ambedkar was as much a doer, as a thinker and belonged to the creative class. He belonged to the rare class of great men who set standards of greatness for themselves and lived up to them. He held that "A great man must be motivated by the dynamics of social purpose". His life stands out as an example and a testimony to the ideal of securing human dignity for all. A multifaceted personality, all traits rolled in one, Dr. Ambedkar was an erudite scholar, a legal luminary, a great statesman and a champion of disadvantaged classes.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages