Born on April 14th, 1891, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian nationalist, jurist, Dalit leader and a Buddhist revivalist. But most importantly, he was the chief architect of the Indian constitution. Born into a poor family, he spent his entire life fighting social discrimination against the lower castes. He overcome numerous social and financial obstacles to become the first ‘untouchable’ to obtain a college degree. He went on to earn a degree in law, and then doctorates in economics and political science. When drafting the constitution he drew his inspiration from the Buddhist scriptures which he had read extensively. Voting by ballots, rules of debate and the formation of committees were incorporated from these scriptures. Thus, Ambedkar drew up a constitution that was shaped upon western models but was Indian in spirit. In it he provided a number of clauses that would help eradicate socio-economic inequalities and lack of opportunities. He also sought to expound gender equality in laws of inheritance, marriage and equality.

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