Media Releases >
Media Releases Archive
> Statue of Indian Human Rights Champion Donated to SFU
Statue of Indian Human Rights Champion Donated to SFU
Document Tools
Contact:
Don Grayston, 604.291.3544, donald_grayston@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Don Grayston, 604.291.3544, donald_grayston@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
October 4, 2004
Simon Fraser University is the third university worldwide to receive a bronze bust of Indian human rights champion Bheemrao Ramji Ambedkar, known as the 'Jewel of India'. The Dr. Ambedkar Memorial society of Bedford, based in the United Kingdom, is donating the bust, which was created by B.K. Guru, a prominent Indian sculptor.
The bust will be publicly unveiled at SFU's Bennett Library at 2:30pm, Thursday, October 14. A representative from the Ambedkar Society, Jai Birdi, president of the Chetna Association of Canada (local chapter of the Ambedkar Association) and Don Grayston, former director of SFU's institute for the Humanities, will perform the unveiling. Garlanding, a lecture and discussion, and refreshments will follow the event.
Ambedkar (1891-1956) was the architect of independent India's constitution, a champion for human and civil rights, a renowned scholar, and the restorer of Buddhism in India. Born a member of the Dalit (formerly 'untouchable') community, Ambedkar overcame prejudice and systemic barriers to obtain a doctorate, and eventually an honorary doctorate for his accomplishments as a social reformer.
Ambedkar's work on India's constitution helped gain rights for the country's more than 60 million Dalits. They are excluded from India's caste system. Ambedkar's commitment to legislation for equal rights for women led him to resign his post as India's first Minister of Law. The Indian government of the day had quashed his bill on women's rights.
“The Ambedkar monument at SFU is a tribute to all civil rights activists,” says Birdi. “It also draws attention to the Dalit communities, which are preparing for the centenary celebrations in 2006 of Dalit settlement and heritage on the West Coast,” says Birdi.
The Chetna association arranged the bust installation. Its parent organization, Ambedkar, is a consciousness-raising society for the Dalit community. It has previously donated a portrait of Ambedkar to the institute for the Humanities, and books by and about him to SFU's library.
-30-
Websites:
SFU Institue for the humanities; www2.sfu.ca/humanities-institute/
Dr.B.RAmbedkar; www.ambedkar.org/p1.htm
The bust will be publicly unveiled at SFU's Bennett Library at 2:30pm, Thursday, October 14. A representative from the Ambedkar Society, Jai Birdi, president of the Chetna Association of Canada (local chapter of the Ambedkar Association) and Don Grayston, former director of SFU's institute for the Humanities, will perform the unveiling. Garlanding, a lecture and discussion, and refreshments will follow the event.
Ambedkar (1891-1956) was the architect of independent India's constitution, a champion for human and civil rights, a renowned scholar, and the restorer of Buddhism in India. Born a member of the Dalit (formerly 'untouchable') community, Ambedkar overcame prejudice and systemic barriers to obtain a doctorate, and eventually an honorary doctorate for his accomplishments as a social reformer.
Ambedkar's work on India's constitution helped gain rights for the country's more than 60 million Dalits. They are excluded from India's caste system. Ambedkar's commitment to legislation for equal rights for women led him to resign his post as India's first Minister of Law. The Indian government of the day had quashed his bill on women's rights.
“The Ambedkar monument at SFU is a tribute to all civil rights activists,” says Birdi. “It also draws attention to the Dalit communities, which are preparing for the centenary celebrations in 2006 of Dalit settlement and heritage on the West Coast,” says Birdi.
The Chetna association arranged the bust installation. Its parent organization, Ambedkar, is a consciousness-raising society for the Dalit community. It has previously donated a portrait of Ambedkar to the institute for the Humanities, and books by and about him to SFU's library.
-30-
Websites:
SFU Institue for the humanities; www2.sfu.ca/humanities-institute/
Dr.B.RAmbedkar; www.ambedkar.org/p1.htm