Each year, on 14th April, India solemnly celebrates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a tireless champion for social justice. As we observe Ambedkar Jayanti 2025, it becomes essential to reflect not only on his monumental contributions but also on the relevance of his ideals—liberty, equality, and fraternity—in our modern-day context. His enduring vision continues to guide movements for social reform and inspire institutions, including numerous NGOs in India, which strive to build an inclusive and just society.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: A Visionary for the Marginalised
Born in 1891 into a marginalised Dalit family, Dr Ambedkar’s life was a testament to resilience and intellectual brilliance. Rising above entrenched discrimination, he emerged as a formidable scholar, economist, and social reformer. His most historic achievement—drafting the Indian Constitution—laid the groundwork for a democratic republic rooted in equality, justice, and human dignity.
Central to Dr. Ambedkar’s philosophy was the belief that education and economic empowerment were essential to dismantling social hierarchies. He championed Dalit rights, fought for women’s emancipation, and emphasised the necessity of labour reforms, shaping policies that still resonate in India’s socio-political framework.
Why Ambedkar’s ideals still matter in 2025
Even in today’s India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s teachings hold profound significance. Social inequities, caste-based discrimination, and economic disparity persist, making his principles a roadmap to address the challenges of our time:
1. Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
Unequal resources and opportunities remains a challenging reality, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Ambedkar’s advocacy for affirmative action and reservation policies has enabled countless individuals to access education and employment. Yet, ongoing efforts are vital to extend these opportunities universally.
2. Education as a Catalyst for Change
Dr. Ambedkar famously declared education as the “milk of a lioness,” urging the oppressed to pursue learning with courage. In the digital era, educational inequity remains a challenge, especially in rural India. His call for inclusive and quality education remains ever-relevant.
3. Economic Empowerment and Livelihood
His commitment to economic justice—through land reforms, wage security, and employment opportunities—serves as a cornerstone for current policies targeting poverty alleviation and inclusive growth. Livelihood programmes that provide vocational training and promote self-employment are clear extensions of his vision.
4. Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Dr. Ambedkar was one of the earliest advocates for women’s rights, championing reforms that granted them agency in marriage, property, and employment. Today, his legacy lives on through initiatives that seek to ensure equal pay, reproductive rights, and political representation for women.
5. Democracy and Constitutional Morality
In an age of global political flux, Dr. Ambedkar’s belief in constitutional morality and democratic governance is more relevant than ever. His insistence on upholding civil liberties and secular values offers crucial guidance in preserving the spirit of Indian democracy.
How NGOs in India continue to uphold Ambedkar’s vision
Across the country, NGOs in India remain committed to carrying forward Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy. Smile Foundation too works towards bringing change for good at the grassroot communities of India, aligning its efforts with his principles through a holistic and integrated approach to development.
Founded in 2005, Smile Foundation quickly recognised that education alone could not guarantee the holistic development of underprivileged children. We understood that systemic barriers—starting with poor maternal and neonatal care—impacted a child’s ability to thrive from the earliest stages of life.
From lack of healthcare to limited access to trained educators and infrastructure, children in rural and marginalised communities face multifaceted obstacles. Financial hardship often compels families to withdraw children—especially girls—from school, while undernutrition and poor sanitation perpetuate cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
In response, Smile Foundation adopted a life-cycle approach to address the interlinked issues affecting individuals and communities by offering integrated solutions in education, healthcare, and livelihood.
The life-cycle approach: Nurturing change from cradle to career and beyond
- Mission Education aligns with the National Education Policy, focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, and STEM disciplines, ensuring children develop strong cognitive and critical thinking skills.
- Smile on Wheels mobile health units bring essential medical services, including diagnostics, outpatient care, and free medication, to under-resourced communities.
- Swabhiman champions maternal, menstrual, and neonatal health, creating awareness about hygiene and equipping women with knowledge crucial for their wellbeing.
- STeP and advanced vocational training programmes empower youth and women with the skills required for employment and entrepreneurship, thus enhancing economic self-sufficiency.
Ambedkar’s ideals and the life-cycle approach: A shared vision
Dr. Ambedkar envisioned an India where every citizen, regardless of birth, had the chance to realise their full potential. His insistence on structural reform, access to education, economic equity, and gender equality finds deep resonance in Smile Foundation’s life-cycle approach.
Both stand for a future where transformation is not episodic, but continuous—built layer by layer, across generations and therefore, as we mark the 134th Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti in 2025, let us do more than remember his legacy—let us live it.
Let’s build a society where equality is not an aspiration but a reality. Support children with education and their communities an empowered life.
