Bhim Jayanti, also popularly known as Bhim Rao Ambedkar Jayanti or simply Ambedkar Jayanti, is celebrated on April 14th each year to mark the birth of Dr B R Ambedkar, a prominent Indian jurist, economist and social reformer. Dr Ambedkar is considered the architect of India’s constitution and one of the founding fathers of the Indian Republic. Bhim Jayanti is also celebrated as Equality Day, given that Dr. Ambedkar was a huge proponent of equality and expounded on the rights of the marginalized.

Dr Ambedkar’s Contribution

Architect of the Indian Constitution

As the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, he had a crucial role in shaping the Indian Constitution and ensuring that it reflected the principles of equality and liberty. His efforts were instrumental in including social justice and addressing historical injustices marginalized communities face. In short, he laid the groundwork for an inclusive democracy.

Social Reformer and Activist

He was a vocal critic of the caste system and championed the cause of social equality. He dedicated his life to bettering the lives of the Dalits and other socially backward classes. He emphasized the importance of education in uplifting the downtrodden, establishing colleges, and encouraging Dalit communities to pursue higher education. 

He was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and worked towards reforming Hindu personal laws that discriminated against women. 

Economic and Political Contributions

Dr. Ambedkar was also a visionary economist who advocated for reforms and policies that could address socioeconomic disparities. His vision was instrumental in laying the foundation of the Reserve Bank of India. His book, The Problem of the Rupee—Its Origin and Its Solution, provided key insights that influenced the Hilton Young Commission, which was tasked with recommending the creation of a central bank for India. The RBI was eventually established on April 1, 1935, based on the commission’s recommendations.

He also championed labor reforms, advocating for better working conditions, minimum wages, and social security for workers. 

In terms of political leadership, he served as the Law and Justice Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s first cabinet and played a significant role in shaping India’s political landscape. 

Celebrating Bhim Jayanti in schools

Growing children must be made aware of the huge contributions made by Dr Ambedkar and be sensitized to the cause of social equality. Here are some things that can be done in schools on the occasion of his birth anniversary, depending, of course, on the age of the children:

1. Skits and plays

Students can be encouraged to prepare short skits based on Dr. Ambedkar’s life. This will go a long way in exposing them to his illustrious life. It will be the perfect way to pay tribute to his life and celebrate Baba Sahib Jayanti.

2. Storytelling

It will be interesting to narrate significant incidents from Dr Ambedkar’s life in an age-appropriate manner. After narrating them, there can be an open house where children can be encouraged to share their learnings. You could also encourage them to share the one primary learning from their life that they would like to imbibe. You will be amazed at their understanding of these life lessons.

3. Slideshows

Slideshows or videos are another great way to engage students. Ensure you run a video that captures the essence of Dr Ambedkar’s life engagingly.

4. Art and Craft

Students can create posters depicting Dr Ambedkar’s life. You could also organize a slogan competition where children could design slogans that encapsulate his teachings. Alternatively, children can also be encouraged to make badges that incorporate slogans. Children can also give their creativity free reign and design a tree where each branch incorporates one quality of Dr. Ambedkar that they would like to imbibe. It will be a good idea for younger children to print out posters of Dr. Ambedkar and get them to color them. You could also get them to write his teachings on colored sheets.

5. Readings from the Constitution

Older children will benefit from reading the Constitution. It will bring the principles enshrined in the Constitution that much closer to them. They will realize how these aspects are not just to be studied in textbooks but are so accurate and necessary to our nation’s health.

6. Community Service

What can be a better tribute to someone who dedicated his life to the service of the community than to organize some community service that children can partake in? You can tie up with some local NGOs so that the children can make a meaningful impact on the lives of the marginalized. It will give the children a good sense of purpose.  Initiatives like this, taken early, will make community service a way of life for them. 

To sum up

It is only fitting that young children be exposed to the great work done by Dr Ambedkar. What better occasion to acquaint them with his illustrious life than Bhim Jayanti? By exposing children to the path-breaking work done by our founding fathers, we can hope to build the future generation that will make our country proud. The importance of preschool education lies in instilling children with the correct values that will shape the adults they will become. At Footprints Preschool, we take this duty very seriously. We are committed to contributing to our future generation’s holistic growth and development. It’s little surprise then that Footprints has emerged as the preferred parenting partner for parents across the country.