Nelson Mandela had expressed his views on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (1891-1956), an Indian polymath, the father of the Indian Constitution and the leader of the untouchables. In the article, we will see Two Quotes of Nelson Mandela on Dr BR Ambedkar.
What Nelson Mandela said about Dr Ambedkar
South African leader Dr. Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) is recognized worldwide for his work for the upliftment of blacks and his contribution is also appreciated. He had also been the President of South Africa.
There are many similarities between Ambedkar and Mandela. Both were staunch opponents of race or caste based discrimination and both opened the doors to growth and progress for the deprived. Both faced almost the same kind of challenges in their lives.
In 1990, the Government of India honored both Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Nelson Mandela with the ‘Bharat Ratna‘ together. In addition, Mandela has also received the Nobel Peace Prize. Both Ambedkar and Mandela were in favor of peace and non-violence.
Mandela is said to have been inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and at times by Jawaharlal Nehru, but he was also inspired by Dr Ambedkar. But Mandela never read Dr. Ambedkar the way he read Gandhi and got to know deeply! If Mandela had got the time to read Dr. Ambedkar, I am sure he would not only have appreciated Ambedkar’s long struggle, but would have gone further and become a follower of Ambedkar.
Quotes of Nelson Mandela on Dr Ambedkar
Quote 1 :
On 12 April 1990, when a portrait of Dr. Ambedkar was being unveiled in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament, New Delhi, then Nelson Mandela said about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar :
“We will take inspiration from the life and work of Dr. Ambedkar and run our struggle on the basis on which Dr. Ambedkar tried to change the society in India and got success.”
In Hindi :
“हम डॉ. आंबेडकर के जीवन और कार्य से प्रेरणा लेकर अपना संघर्ष भी उन्हें आधारों पर चलाएंगे, जिन आधारों पर डॉ. आंबेडकर ने भारत में समाज परिवर्तन का प्रयत्न किया और सफलता पाई।” – नेल्सन मंडेला
Quote 2 :
Apart from this, Mandela described the constitution of his country as inspired by the Indian Constitution and also appreciated the contribution of Dr. Ambedkar, which he had given in the making of the Indian Constitution and social justice, and upliftment of the downtrodden.
Dr. Nelson Mandela said that, “The Indian Constitution provides inspiration in preparation of a new South African Constitution. We hope that our efforts in formulation of a new constitution will reflect the work and ideas of this great son of India. Dr. Ambedkar’s contribution to social justice and to the upliftment of the oppressed is worthy of emulation.”
In Hindi :
“भारतीय संविधान नए दक्षिण अफ्रीकी संविधान के निर्माण में प्रेरणा प्रदान करता है। हमें उम्मीद है कि नया संविधान बनाने में हमारे प्रयास भारत के इस महान सपूत के कार्यों और विचारों को प्रतिबिंबित करेंगे। सामाजिक न्याय और शोषितों के उत्थान में डॉ. आंबेडकर का योगदान अनुकरणीय है।” – नेल्सन मंडेला
Also read
- PM Jawaharlal Nehru on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
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