Special exhibition on B.R. Ambedkar opens at National Library of India to mark His 134th birth anniversary
Times of India | 22 April 2025
A special book exhibition celebrating the 134th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar was inaugurated at the National Library of India. The exhibition paid tribute to the life, legacy, and literary contributions of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Shahnawaz Khan, Senior Director at the National Informatics Centre (NIC), inaugurated the Exhibition at the historic library's Exhibition Gallery.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by the Director General of the National Library, Ajay Pratap Singh, along with Principal Library & Information Officer Siva Prasad Senapati and other dignitaries, who gathered to honour Ambedkar’s indelible impact on Indian society, education, and the pursuit of social justice.
“This exhibition is a humble tribute to a towering figure in India’s history. Ambedkar’s multifaceted legacy—as a constitutionalist, economist, social reformer, and advocate of equality—remains deeply relevant today. We hope this exhibition will help readers and young minds connect with his enduring vision,” said Singh.
Organized by the National Library, the exhibition has been curated with the active support of Gopa Ghosh, Shri Samit Paik, Shri Kumar Saheb, Suboodip Bid, Shri Ghanshyam, and Shri Javed Alam, whose efforts brought the event to life.
The library has drawn from its vast collection of works by and on Ambedkar to curate the exhibition. It features rare and important titles, including original editions of his seminal works, alongside newspaper clippings from major dailies like The Times of India, documenting epoch-making moments in Ambedkar's life.
Among the key books showcased are:
The Annihilation of Caste (1936): A scathing critique of the caste system.
Waiting for a Visa (1940): An autobiographical work detailing Ambedkar’s personal experiences with caste discrimination.
The Problem of the Rupee (1923): A pioneering analysis of India’s monetary system.
The Buddha and His Dhamma (1956): Ambedkar’s philosophical exploration of Buddhism and its relevance to social equality.
Who Were the Shudras? (1936), States and Minorities (1945), and Pakistan or the Partition of India (1940): Thought-provoking works on social history, democracy, and geopolitics.
Also on display are works like Gandhi and the Emancipation of the Untouchables, Rise and Fall of Hindu Women, and Administration and Finance of the East India Company, showcasing Ambedkar’s wide-ranging intellectual engagement.
The exhibition not only highlights Ambedkar’s prolific writing but also includes numerous books authored on his life, thought, and influence. It offers visitors an opportunity to delve deep into the ideas of a man whose vision shaped modern India.
The exhibition is open to the public and is expected to draw scholars, students, and citizens interested in rediscovering the legacy of one of India’s greatest sons.