For the first UN celebrated the Anniversary of Babasaheb,yesterday  India celebrated the 125the anniversary of Dr.Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Mr. Syed Akharuddin (India’s Ambassador or Permanent Representative to the United Nations) tweeted regarding how for the first time Babasaheb’s birth anniversary is being celebrated in the UN.

It was a full house for BR. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary observance at the UN Dr. BRA as he was fondly known as a jurist,politician,economist and social reformer.

Highlights from the speech of Ms. Helen Clark:

“Dr.Ambedkar understood that rising and persistent inequalities pose fundamental challenges to the economies and social well-being of nations and people”

“His work on the empowerment and inclusion of excluded groups, reforms of labour laws, and promotion of education for all, made him an icon for marginalized people in India and in other countries”

"The ideals for which he worked so hard are as relevant today as they were sixty years ago."

"Dr. Ambedkar also had a deep understanding of the far-reaching measures which are needed to address inequalities. Today, just as sixty years ago, all countries have work to do to ensure that marginalised people are fully included in society."

Highlights from Mr.Syed ‘s speech:

“Observing the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is now somewhat of a tradition in modern India. He was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and independent India's first law minister, a social reformer, jurist, economist, author and a scholar of comparative religions. A multi-faceted personality, he braved the walls of prejudice and discrimination in early 20th century India to emerge as an exemplar and an unflinching crusader against the social inequities and economic deprivation that afflicted millions of Indians."

"Dr. Ambedkar fashioned a pluralistic and inclusive Indian Constitution guaranteeing equal opportunity and freedom of expression and faith for all citizens in a secular democracy. The Constitution, drafted under Dr. Ambedkar's leadership, abolished untouchability, and outlawed all forms of discrimination. Yet Dr. Ambedkar also recognised that the quest for substantive equality and justice would remain a work in progress."

"Dr. Ambedkar's political vocabulary was one of gender empowerment and is best summarised in his statement, "'I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved". Pursuing this Dr. Ambedkar provided for special provisions for women's equality both in formal and sustainable senses in India's constitution. While all other general provisions of India's constitution are applicable to women as to men there are also provisions that enable affirmative action in favour of women to ensure that no one is left behind."