Ceremony to mark the unveiling of the bust of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at York University
We are grateful to Dean Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, Dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, York University, for allowing VMACCH to cover this event.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is India's iconic champion of social justice and equality. Born in a dalit ('untouchable') family, Dr. Ambedkar overcame insurmountable odds to become a leading thinker, scholar and visionary of modern India who had an enduring impact on the lives of millions. He was the chief architect of the Constitution of Independent India and was the country's first Law minister. An eminent scholar and writer in a wide range of disciplines, such as Economics, Politics, Law, Sociology, Religion and Philosophy, he was a civil rights leader and an undaunted crusader for equality. In 1990, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna (the Jewel of India), India's highest civil honor for his role in promoting justice, freedom, equality and fraternity. Since 2011, his birthday has been declared a national holiday. (Text from the York University poster of the event.)
Dr. Ambedkar International Mission, Canada, Toronto has generously donated a bust of Dr. Ambedkar to the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), York University. This bust has been placed at the Scott Library. The ceremony to unveil the bust took place on December 2, 2015.
Please click the following images to enlarge them. YFile report from York University can be accessed here.People, South Asian Politics & Law
Dean Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, York University, giving welcome remarks
Mr. Vishnu Prakash, High Commissioner of India to Canada, giving remarks
Mr. Vishnu Prakash, unveiling the bust of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at York University Scott Library
Mr. Vishnu Prakash, presenting a garland to the bust of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to show respect.
Click here to learn more about the meaning of Indian Flower Garlands.
A stately bronze bust of Dr. Ambedkar can also be found at the Lehman Library at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University , and at the Burnaby campus of Simon Fraser University.