Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Every year on April 14, India celebrates the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar firmly believed that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of caste or social background.
Honoring the Architect of the Constitution
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, affectionately known as Baba Saheb, was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, located in present-day Madhya Pradesh. His father, Ramji Maloji Sakpal, and his mother, Bhimabai, played significant roles in shaping his early life. Despite facing immense social and economic hardships, Ambedkar never gave up. Through relentless effort and determination, he rose to become one of India’s greatest legal scholars and social reformers.
His journey from adversity to success continues to inspire millions across the country. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti 2025, here are some important teachings from Dr. Ambedkar that students — and everyone — can learn from.
Dr. Ambedkar’s life is a shining example of how education can transform not only individuals but entire societies. He strongly believed that education was the ultimate tool to achieve equality and justice. For Ambedkar, education wasn’t just about acquiring knowledge; it was a means to empower people to think critically, understand their rights, and fight for social change.
He was heavily influenced by American philosopher John Dewey, who emphasized that democracy could only thrive if ordinary people learned to think rationally and independently. Inspired by these ideas, Ambedkar considered education as essential as food, clothing, and shelter.
According to him, the true goal of education was not merely literacy but the ability to think, question, and transform society. His philosophy merged the teachings of Buddha's "Dhamma" and Dewey’s practical approach, highlighting education as the key to social progress and modern thinking.
Dr. Ambedkar firmly advocated that education should not be limited by caste, class, or religion. He famously stated, "Education is a weapon which everyone must possess." He criticized the British education policies of his time, which largely restricted learning opportunities to the upper castes.
Ambedkar realized that the British rulers feared that educating the lower castes and marginalized groups would empower them to demand their rightful place in society.
Through his efforts, he championed the cause of universal education and insisted that every individual, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, must have access to quality education. He believed that literacy and learning were the first steps toward achieving social and economic equality.
Inspiration for Today’s Students
On Ambedkar Jayanti 2025, students and young people can draw strength from Dr. Ambedkar’s vision:
Value education not just as a career tool, but as a means to uplift society.
Question injustice and work towards a more equal and fair community.
Never be discouraged by challenges; persistence and knowledge can lead to incredible change.
Dr. Ambedkar’s life and ideas continue to remind us that true freedom begins in the classroom — and that the fight for equality is fueled by knowledge.
