By Zile Singh
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Greatest Indian, Bharat Rattan and the Principal Architect of the Indian Constitution. He was the Champion of Human Rights and Social Justice. He is a torchbearer for the awakened man. The future generations will hardly believe that there was a man who touched the greatest heights in the domain of knowledge and an unblemished public life. Many social, economic and political thinkers are of the opinion that had Dr. Ambedkar been at the helm of affairs for at least 10 to 15 years, Indian would have gone far ahead from where it stands today. Unfortunately, he has been forgotten by the Indian diaspora – the Hindus and the Sikhs included. Only a handful of Dalits worldwide celebrate Dr. Ambedkar as their messiah. Their vision too is limited only up to the issues of ‘reservation’ and the ‘caste system.” To describe and understand his multifaceted personality is beyond an ordinary mind. His message, through my poetic version is:
“Do not worship heroes,” Dr. Ambedkar said.
Worship not the alive nor who are the dead.
Do not hang me on the neck nor on the wall.
My message to all is, “Set out your own stall”.
I am not a photograph nor an idol for decoration.
I am a secular ideology for constant emulation.
To be out of superstitions, I meant by Liberty.
To embrace who are below you, is my Equality.
To shun the boundaries of religions is Fraternity.
Always put in practice what you teach is my Unity.
Open your mind against inferiority is my Education.
Fight against your own weaknesses is my Agitation.
Imprint me in your thought, not just on the tongue.
It is the mind which will free you from all the dung.
People who question nothing, nothing learn.
For knowledge, one has to midnight oil burn.
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Zile Singh (zsnirwal@yahoo.ca) is a columnist and author of “Truths of Life- Life Enlightened.” The book is available on Amazon. He is Secretary (Public Relations) of Sunset Seniors’ Society.
