New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: Ambedkar Jayanti is an annual festival observed on April 14 commemorated to mark the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar-- who wrote the constitution of India. Since 2015, this day is being observed as official public holiday throughout the country. Prime Minister, President and leaders of the major political parties pay homage to the statue of Ambedkar at Parliament of India, Delhi. On the occasion of his 129th birth anniversary, we bring you some unknown facts about 'father of Indian constitution'.
Also Read: Ambedkar Jayanti 2020 | Ten inspirational quotes by 'Father of the Indian constitution'
Ambedkar was the 14th and the last child of his parents. His father Ramji Maolji Sakpal was a Subedar major and mother's name was Bhimabai Murdabad Sankpal.
His original name was Ambadavekar but his teacher changed it to his own surname Ambedkar.
Ambedkar married to Ramabai at the age of 15.
He was the first Dalit to pass matriculation.
Ambedkar was also the first Indian to pursue a doctorate degree in economics abroad
He was principal of Mumbai's Government Law College for two years.
The chief architect of the Indian constitution once wanted to burn it if did not take into consideration the welfare of minorities.
He refused to draft Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In 1947, Ambedkar was appointed as the first minister of Law and Justice. He resigned after his women rights bill got rejected.
The idea to split Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were first proposed by him in 1912. The states were divided on November 15, 2000.
In the seventh session of the Indian Labour Conference, 1942, Ambedkar changed working hours from 14 hours to 8 hours in the country.
He breathed his last on December 6, 1956 and was accorded a Buddhist cremation.
Ambedkar was posthumously conferred Bharat Ratan-- India's highest civilian award-- in 1990.
He has the highest number of statues in the world. His first statue was built in Kolhapur, Mumbai.