Vol. 17, Part III · pages 516–520

139 KNOWLEDGE IS THE FOUNDATION OF MAN’S LIFE On December 24, 1952, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed the annual gathering of the students of the Rajaram College, Kolhapur. In the course of his speech he observed : “Knowledge is the foundation of a man’s life and every effort must be made to maintain the intellectual stamina of a student and arouse his intellect.” He asked the students to develop their thinking power and make use of the knowledge they had gained. zz 1 : Keer, Pp. 445-446.

140 WOMEN LEADERS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE SOCIAL PROGRESS OF WOMEN The women organisations of Kolhapur presented an address to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on 25th December 1952. The programme was arranged at Rajaram theatre. Large number of women and men were present for this programme. Mrs. Vimlabai Bagal made an introductory speech and read, the address. Various women organisations welcomed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Mrs. Maisaheb Ambedkar, Major Dadasaheb Nimbalkar also welcomed Dr. Ambedkar and Mrs. Ambedkar. Replying to their address Dr. B. R. Ambedkar referred to the Hindu Code Bill and said, 1 “None of the prominent Indian women leaders were really interested in the social progress of women and staled that the Hindu Code Bill was now just like milk spoiled by mixture with a bitter acid. He added that if they wanted to have the Hindu Code Bill passed, they should find two fat women to fast.”2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 3rd January 1953. 2 : Keer, P 446.

141 ............ I SHALL TAKE STERN MEASURES Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressing a rally of 50,000 people under the auspices of the Belgaum district branch of the federation, at Nipani, on December 25th, 1952 said, “The misery, starvation, and squalor of the backward classes would bring dreadful results, and recalled the French and Russian revolutions. He warned the ruling party that if the lot of the backward classes was not improved by the next elections, the Scheduled Castes Federation would take stern measures, which might upset the Government, and anarchy might follow. “I shall wait for two more years, or even till the next elections, for the alleviation of the misery of my people-, and if a new deal is not forthcomming through negotiations, I shall take stern measures,” he added. He refuted Mr. Nehru’s statement at Nagpur recently that there was no Untouchability in India. Elections Losses The election reversals of” the Scheduled Castes federation. candidates were not due to any weakness in the organisation, but due to lack of companions. He would abandon politics if anybody could prove that the organisation was faulty. Its candidates secured hundred per cent votes from the Scheduled Castes people. Earlier, Mr. P N. Rajbhoj, General Secretary of the federation, who presided over the meeting, announced that the Working Committee of the federation would meet in Delhi in February............PTI.1 zz * : Keer, P. 440. 1 : The National Standard, dated 27th December, 1952.

142 OSMANIA UNIVERSITY HONOURED DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR As Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of the Constitution of India rendered yeomen services to the country. His work was acknowledged by Columbia University, America where he was a student. Columbia was the first University which conferred L. L. D. on Dr. Ambedkar in a special convocation. Through out the Country only Osmania University Hyderabad Dn. has conferred D. Lit. (Doctor of Literature) on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on 12th January 1953. On the eve of this convocation Deccon Chronicle, Hyderabad Dn. in its issue dated 13th January 1953 stated, “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described as one of the ablest lawyers and the champion of the Downtroddens who had taken the main burden of framing the Indian Constitution.” “ Procedure for the Convocation, Osmania University, Monday 12th January 1953.” “The Chancellor shall say : “This Convocation of Osmania University has been called to confer Honorary Degrees on (1) Dr. S. Radha Krishnan, Vice-President of India , (2) Shri M. K. Vellodi, (3) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and also to confer Degree upon the candidates who have been certified of these Degrees, Let them now be presented.” (7) The Vice-Chancellor will then read the citations and present the above persons. (8) At the end of each citation, the Chancellor shall present the degree and say : –— “By virtue of the authority vested in me as Chancellor of the Osmania University, I admit you to the degree of............... Honoris Causa on account of your eminent position and attainments.” The Citation about Dr. B. R. Ambedkar stated in the para 8 is as followes : —– “Mr. Chancellor, I have the honour to present you Dr. B. R. Ambedkar for conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa.

491OSMANIA.............DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR Born in 1893, Dr. Ambedkar was educated at Satara and Bombay. After Graduating from the Bombay University, he went to the United States of America, for further studies, and received the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1917 at the young age of 24. After returning to India he served for some time as Finance Minister of the Baroda State and later as professor of Political Economy at Sydenham College, Bombay. Again, he went abroad, this time to England and enrolled himself for the Doctorate degree in Science at the London School of Economics. His, treatise, entitled ‘The Problem of the Rupee’ was acclaimed by Economist the World over. The political career had started early, but his legislative career started when he entered the Bombay Legislative Assembly in 1926. He gave evidence before the Lothian Committee on Indian Franchise; Royal Commission on Indian Currency and many other important Committees and Commissions. Dr. Ambedkar has been a staunch supporter of all the down-- trodden people from the beginning of his career. Such people evoked his sympathy and he became the FounderPresident of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation. He was invited to attend the Round Table Conference at London (1930-1932) to represent the scheduled Castes. Dr. Ambedkar held the high office of Labour Member in the Viceroy’s Executive Council from 1942-46. In 1947 when India became an independent country, he was taken in the Cabinet as Law Member. The respossibility of framing the India Constitution devolved upon him and the part played by him in this matter is well known. Dr. Ambedkar is a voracious reader. He knows seven languages. He is an author of distinction and published several books. ‘What Congress and Gandhi Have Done For Untouchables’; ‘Annahilation of Caste’; ‘Federation Vs. Freedom’ ; ‘Pakistan and Partition of India’; ‘Ranade and Gandhi’; etc. are among them. Mr. Chancellor, in presenting Dr. Ambedkar, I am presenting a person of great eminence, high attainments and distinguished services, one of the ablest lawyers, a preeminent legislator, a champion of the backward and down-trodden people of India. I request you now to confer the Degree of Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa on Shri B. R. Ambedkar.’