The Ambedkar Lecture

by Kumar Guarev

Children, let me begin by asking you something. How many of you love coming to school? Raise your hands high! And how many sometimes feel a little lazy when it comes to opening your books and doing your homework? Be honest, no one is going to scold you here.

Now, imagine this: What if I told you that there was once a time in our country when many children like you were not even allowed to enter a school? Imagine standing outside a classroom, hearing the sound of lessons, but not being allowed inside just because of your family or your caste. How would that feel? Sad, right? Unfair, right?

Today, I am going to tell you the story of a man who changed all this. A man who made it possible for children like you to sit in this school today, to open books, to dream of becoming doctors, teachers, leaders, and more. His name was Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, and people lovingly call him Babasaheb.

Babasaheb was born a very long time ago, in 1891, in a small town in Madhya Pradesh. His family was poor, and they belonged to a caste that society at that time treated as “untouchables.” That word itself is so harsh, isn’t it? To think that people once believed another human being could not even be touched! But this was the reality in which young Bhimrao grew up.

When he was a small boy, he went to school, just like you all. But the treatment he got there was cruel and humiliating. He was not allowed to sit with other children. He had to sit on the floor in a corner. He was not allowed to drink water from the same pot as other children. If he ever felt thirsty, he had to wait until the peon came and poured water into his hands. Sometimes the peon was not even willing to touch the vessel after Bhimrao drank, so he had to remain thirsty for hours.

Imagine that for a moment. Imagine you are sitting in this classroom, but you are told to sit alone in the corner, and you are not allowed to touch the books, the blackboard, or even the water. Would you still feel like coming to school? Most of us would give up. But young Bhimrao didn’t. He felt hurt, yes. He felt angry, yes. But inside his heart, he made a promise to himself: “One day, I will study so hard that people will have to respect me. One day, I will prove that education can break any chain.”

And so, Bhimrao worked very, very hard. His father also believed in education and encouraged him. Though many people discouraged him, he never gave up. Slowly, his efforts started to shine. He did so well in his studies that he got a chance to go abroad. Can you imagine, a boy from such a poor and humiliated background, getting the chance to study in America and later in England? At that time, even rich people in India rarely went abroad to study, but Bhimrao did.

In America, he studied economics, law, and many other subjects. He learned about how societies work, how countries make their laws, and how people can be treated equally. He became one of the most educated men of his time. People used to be shocked when they saw him because they never expected a person from his caste to achieve such greatness.

Children, think about this for a second: why do you think Dr. Ambedkar worked so hard to study, even when the whole world seemed against him? (Pause here when speaking to children, let them answer.) Yes, because he knew that education is the strongest weapon. If you want to change your life, if you want to fight injustice, if you want to rise above difficulties, education is the key.

That’s why Dr. Ambedkar always said, “Educate, Agitate, Organize.” Educate yourself first, so you can understand the world. Then agitate — which means raise your voice against injustice. And finally, organize — stand together as a community to make change possible.

Now let’s talk about what happened when India became free from the British in 1947. After so many years of struggle, our leaders needed to make a new set of rules for the country. They needed a Constitution, which is like the big rulebook that tells us how the country should run. Do you know who was chosen to lead this most important task? Yes, it was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

Think about it: a boy who was once thrown out of classrooms, who was denied water and respect, was now writing the most important book of independent India! Doesn’t that sound like a miracle? But it wasn’t magic, it was the result of hard work, determination, and education.

As the chief architect of the Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar made sure that the new India would not be like the old India. He wrote rules that said every person is equal. He made sure there would be no untouchability, no discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender. He made sure that children like you would have the right to education, that women would have the right to dignity, and that every person, whether rich or poor, would be equal in the eyes of the law.

Now children, let me ask you another question: what is the use of studying? Why do we open books every day? Is it only to pass exams? Or is it to become something bigger, like Babasaheb dreamed?

Dr. Ambedkar had a beautiful saying: “Education is the milk of a lioness. Whoever drinks it can roar like a lion.” Imagine a lion roaring in the jungle — strong, fearless, and respected. That’s what education makes you. It gives you the roar, the power, the confidence to stand tall in front of the world.

So let’s try something fun. On the count of three, I want everyone to roar like a lion, to remind yourself that you too can be strong if you study. Ready? One… two… three… ROAR!

See? That’s the energy education gives you.

Dr. Ambedkar’s own life is proof of this. He could have given up many times. He could have said, “People are unfair, so what’s the point of trying?” But he didn’t. Instead, he used education as his weapon. And because of that, today he is remembered as the Father of the Indian Constitution, a man who gave voice to millions of people who had been silenced for centuries.

And he didn’t just write laws. He also spent his life fighting for the rights of women, workers, and the poor. He believed that a society cannot progress unless it takes everyone along. He used to say that the greatness of a society is judged by how it treats its weakest members. Isn’t that true?

So, whenever you see someone being treated unfairly, whether it’s in school, at home, or in your community, remember Babasaheb’s words. Don’t stay silent. Stand up for what is right.

Children, let’s think for a moment: what do you want to become when you grow up? (Pause here in real delivery, let the children answer: some will say doctor, teacher, engineer, police, etc.)

Beautiful! You all have dreams. And Dr. Ambedkar wanted exactly this — that every child should have the freedom to dream big, no matter where they come from. He wanted children like you to grow up with confidence, with pride, and with the courage to change the world.

So whenever you feel lazy, or whenever you think, “Oh, studying is too hard,” remember that Babasaheb fought so that you could even hold that book in your hands. Remember that he walked miles and miles, sat in humiliation, yet never gave up on education. If he could do it, then surely, you can too.

Now let me tell you something very important. Dr. Ambedkar’s life also teaches us about self-respect. He never accepted the insults people gave him as truth. He believed, “I am equal, I am capable, and I will prove it.” That is the spirit I want each one of you to carry. Never think that you are less than anyone else. Never think that your background decides your future. Only your effort, your education, and your courage decide your future.

Look around you. Each one of you sitting here is full of possibilities. Some of you will become doctors, some teachers, some leaders, some artists. Maybe one of you will even grow up to write new laws for our country, just like Babasaheb did.

But for that, you have to promise me something. Will you promise me that you will never stop studying? Will you promise me that you will respect yourself and others? Will you promise me that you will carry forward Babasaheb’s dream of an equal, educated India?

Good! That’s the best way to honor Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Not just by remembering him on special days, but by living his dream every day.

So children, whenever you open your books, whenever you sit in class, whenever you dream about your future, think of Babasaheb. He is not just a leader of the past — he is your guide for the future.

And remember, his journey teaches us this one powerful truth: Education is freedom. Education is power. Education is the roar of a lion.

So, let’s roar together, not just today but every day, with our books, our knowledge, and our dreams. That will be our tribute to the great Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.