Republic Day Celebration at Nasik

The first ever event in Nasik dedicated to paying tribute to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was organized and successfully carried out.

The program began by saluting the beautifully decorated shrine. Offering flowers, fragrance and candle to Buddha and garlanding the photograph of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar we began the function by reciting Trisaran, Panchasheel, Vidhayak sheel, Buddha Puja. Dhamma mitra Karate and  Kiran Salwe shared Bhim Stuti. The Puja was followed by a short period of Anapansati meditation which helped us to concentrate and to be aware in the present moment.

The participants present contributed by initiating a group discussion on why it is necessary for us as Indians to be indebted to Babasaheb. We also discussed what is the importance of constitution for any independent country. The participant were very surprised to know that the constitution was already rejected twice before Dr. B. R. Ambedkar shouldered the responsibility of drafting it.

Participants also discussed and regreted that the pattern of school education pays more emphasis on Histroy. Whereas the emphasis on study of Civics, which  in fact is actually essential for every citizen, is given very less importance.

We also discussed how the constitutions has made provision for our day to day life to have basic things like food, shelter, clothing, freedom of employment, freedom of speech, right to protest, right to organize meetings, right to form non profit and social organizations, right to education. The participants were touched to see how constitution has important place in their everyday life. They realized that it was not something that is supposed to be only the property of intellectuals or politicians.

Afterwards, when Swati, Bharati and Mrs Waghmare told that constitution has given girls right to education, property and even right to divorce they experienced heart felt gratitude for Babasaheb. Through the Hindu Code Bill, he initiated the discussion for freedom of women and also included it in constitution.

We also compared the success of Indian constitution and the constitutions of neighbouring countries. We discussed many factors contributing to its success  of democracy in India as well as its failure to establish the India as envisioned by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The reasons for Freedom, Fraternity and Equality still not established in India despite such powerful constitution.

We also reviewed some of the violence and atrocities taking place in India and how the constitution is useful to deal with the current issues prevailing in India. We also discussed that social movement is equally important to the political movement and what provisions in constitution are useful for strengthening both of them.

We Concluded the program by looking inside ourselves to find what does the constitution mean to me and do I really feel Gratitude for the Cheif Architect of Constitution whose Vision was to bring bliss in the life of billions of Indians.

All the participants were overwhelmed and expressed their gratitude towards Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. In the end we distributed sweets to celebrate our joy and togetherness and ended the program by reciting Dhammapalan Gatha.