Press Releases Celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Nairobi

Celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Nairobi

Celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Nairobi

On 14 April 2016, High Commission of India, Nairobi organized an event to celebrate the 125thbirth anniversary of Dr. B.R.  Ambedkar, chief architect of the Constitution of India.The Chief Guest of the event was Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya H.E. Mr. Justin Muturi.  Other Speakers included Deputy Chief Justice of the Kenyan Supreme Court Lady Justice KalpanaRawal, Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya Justice Alnashir Visram, Director of the Kenyan Law School Dr. PLO Lumumba, and Deputy Governor of the Isiolo CountyH.E. Mr. Mohamed Guled. 

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2.         During his keynote address on the theme “relevance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his philosophy in the contemporary world”, Speaker Justice Muturi recalled the huge contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in drafting the Indian Constitution and compared the Indian Constitution with the 2010 Kenyan Constitution. He added that some sections on fundamental rights in Kenya had been inspired by the Indian Constitution.  Speaker Muturi said that given his extraordinary contribution, Dr. Ambedkar will be remembered even after 2000 years later as a great leader. In her welcome remarks, High Commissioner Ms. Suchitra Durai underlined contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in the building of modern India, several sterling aspects of his multi-faceted personality and his unparalleled legacy in socio-economic policies of independent India.

3.         Deputy Chief Justice KalpanaRawal spoke on the relevance of Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy in the area of women’s empowerment and advancement of the marginalised sections of the society. She highlighted several pioneering ideas of Dr. Ambedkar in the fields of social and economic justice as well as rule of law. Justice Visram recalled Ambedkar’s contribution as a socio-political reformer and drew parallels between the Indian and Kenyan law systems,thelatter has often used Indian legal cases as precedence. Deputy Governor Mr. Guled recounted similar instances of social discrimination even in Kenya and the notable contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in abolition of such practices in India. In his impassioned speech on “Babasaheb Ambedkar: Old Soldiers Never Die”, Dr. Lumumba gave detailed account on how Dr. Ambedkar had inspired several movements as well as constitutions in Africa particularly in South Africa and Kenya.  He said, “Ambedkar was a warrior for truth and justice and asserted that equality and fraternity must be given their pride of place.” In his closing remarks, Ambassador Swaminathan, former Secretary to the Government of India summarised observations of speakers of the Symposium and concluded that Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy will remain relevant not only for India but also forever for the humanity. 

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4.      Members of Maharashtra Mandal performed an evocative skit on the life of Dr. Ambedkar. A photo exhibition on Dr. Ambedkar was also displayed at the venue. More than 350 guests including Country Governors, lawyers and jurists, prominent members of the Indian origin community, senior officialsof the Kenyan government as well as members of Diplomatic Corps and media representatives were present. 

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(Nairobi -15 April 2016)