Burnaby proclaims April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality

BY CHETNA ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

APRIL 6, 2020, is a historical day for City of Burnaby.  It is the day when the Council of the City of Burnaby proclaimed April 14 as the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality.

Who was Dr. Ambedkar and what is his relevance to the City of Burnaby, some may ask?

“While Dr. Ambedkar was born in India, his mission for equality is relevant across the globe”, says Councillor Sav Dhaliwal who read the proclamation during an open council meeting in Burnaby on April 6.

“We are also proud to have Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait enshrined in the deliberation room at the city as a reminder to uphold values of equality when the council is making significant decisions”, said Councillor Dhaliwal.

Dr. Ambedkar was born in a community of Dalits, formerly known as ‘untouchables’ in India.  After graduating from fine institutions such as London School of Economics and Columbia University, Dr. Ambedkar was given the responsibility to chair the drafting committee of India’s Constitution – a legal framework based on pillars of equality, liberty and fraternity.

“We are very pleased with the leadership and support provided by the Burnaby Council and for proclaiming April 14, birthday of Dr. Ambedkar, as the equality day in Burnaby.  This gives us all a moment to take a pause and celebrate the contributions of Dr. Ambedkar in evolving India as the world’s largest democracy”, said Jai Birdi, General Secretary of Chetna Association of Canada.

The proclamation reads as follows:

Whereas Canada is a multicultural diverse country; and

Whereas concerns about inequality and inequity continue to be experienced globally and efforts to eradicate inequalities need to be supported and strengthened; and,

Whereas Dr. BR Ambedkar, born in India, on April 14, 1891, in a community of Dalits (previously known as ‘untouchables’), arose through the ranks and chaired the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly to make and enact the new constitution of India; and

Whereas Indian Constitution stipulates the lofty ideals of Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity was made, enacted and adopted in 1950; and

Whereas the dedicated efforts and vision od Dr. Ambedkar to bring about a just social and economic order should be celebrated not only in India but rest of the world as well.

NOW THEREFORE I, MIKE HURLEY, MAYOR OF BURNABY, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 14 AS

“DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR DAY OF EQUALITY “

IN THE CITY OF BURNABY