Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891 - 1956)

Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in the small village of Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the 'Mahar' community, which was viewed by society at the time as an oppressed and untouchable caste. His primary education was fraught with hardship. He completed his studies while enduring restrictions such as being forced to sit on the floor, being barred from playing with children of upper castes, being forbidden from learning Sanskrit, and being prohibited from walking on public roads or using public wells for drinking water. He passed his matriculation examination in 1907. He was married at the age of fourteen. The King of Baroda granted him a scholarship, which enabled him to obtain degrees in English and Persian. Impressed by Ambedkar, the King of Baroda awarded him a scholarship to pursue higher studies in America, England, and Germany. He earned an M.A., a 'Bar-at-Law' qualification, and a Ph.D. He began practicing law at the Mumbai High Court.

Recognized as a leader of the Harijans, Ambedkar worked for the upliftment of other marginalized communities as well. He authored numerous books and established schools. He advocated for separate electorates for Harijans and championed their cause, despite opposition from Gandhiji. He began his public life in 1926 as a member of the Mumbai Legislative Council. He participated in all three Round Table Conferences and served as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council. In 1947, he became the first Law Minister of independent India. He submitted the draft constitution in 1948, and the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. He is hailed as the 'Architect of the Indian Constitution.' He embraced Buddhism in 1956 and passed away on December 6 of that same year. His final resting place is known as Chaitya Bhoomi.