Indian Buddhist leader Dr. B.R. Ambedkar deserves to be honoured with a commemorative Postage Stamp in Sri Lanka
Posted on January 23rd, 2012
Senaka Weeraratna
As a leading Buddhist country in the world, the Buddhists of this country should seriously consider requesting the Government of Sri Lanka to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for the great work he has done for his people and the cause of Buddhism in India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are 250 Million Dalits in India which is virtually 1/4th of the Indian Population.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka should befriend these people.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddhism can cement ties between Indian Dalits and Sri Lanka.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mayawati, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, is a staunch Buddhist. She heads the Bahujan Samaj Party, which represents the Bahujans or Dalits, the weakest strata of Indian society. This is her fourth term as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. She is an icon for millions of India’s Dalits. She is sometimes referred to as Behen-ji (sister).
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State in India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka should invite Mayawati to visit Sri Lanka and in turn seek the strengthening of ties between Uttar Pradesh and Sri Lanka, The Buddhist World must give her recognition outside India.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The example of Ambedkar embracing Buddhism should be given the widest publicity in the North and East ( as Gamini Gunawardena has suggested) to motivate the so called low caste Tamils in these areas and the Hill Country of Sri Lanka to pursue a similar path.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddhism teaches equality. This was Dr. Ambedkar’s message to his fellow Dalits.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Indian Dalits who are Buddhists (in the absence of Dr. Ambedkar) may well spread that message among Tamils in Sri Lanka who feel persecuted and oppressed by members of the higher profile Tamil castes.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy may well play a bigger role in Sri Lanka’s efforts at reconciliation between various communities.
January 24th, 2012 at 1:13 am
A very good proposal by Senaka in recognition of the work done by Dr. A for Buddhism and for the people in UP. Hope the Govt. would take this up as Sri Lanka should appreciate the work done by Indians for Buddhism. The case is well written supporting this.
Samaraweera, Australia
January 24th, 2012 at 4:48 am
Remove everything taht depcts Mohandas, Bose and Nehru in the island and replace them with Ambedkar
January 24th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I see Dr.Ambedkar as the greatest Indian of last 100 years. Sadly, in India, Hindu caste system will discriminate Dalits for another 100 years. Viewing some interviews given by Dr.Ambedkar, one finds that (Mahatma) Gandhi was caste concise, whose sense of equality never extended to Dalits.
DALITS , BRAHMINS AND CRICKET DON’T MIX.
Do you realize Dalits are not allowed in Indian cricket team. Dalits are 25% of Indian population. India had 273 test players since 1932. Only 5 Dalits have played in tests. Only Dalit to play substantial number of tests is Eknath Solkar. He played 27 tests. In 1970s, I remember him always stationed at short leg. With 4 spinners in the Indian attack, it was the most dangerous place to field. He always gets hit on body or legs, but Brahmans were always stationed at slips ( The 5 star Hilton of cricket). Skipper Ajith Wadekar was a Brahmins too. So was Gavaskar, Vengaskar, Ganguly, Shastri, Kumble and and many Captains to follow. Kapil Dev was not, and we know how he was treated.
Vinod Kambli, talented batsmen from a “lower” caste, once called the only West Indian in Indian side, was better than Tandulkar. Despite an average of 54, desptie his tender age of 23, he played the last of his 17 Tests in 1995. Kambli was always booed and mocked at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Originally thought catcalls were because of HIS dark skin. But in Kambli’s own words, “No, I think it’s because of my caste”.
Even today, one needs to be Brahmin or high caste to get a top 6 batting spots. Occasionally, a brilliant Muslim or middle-caste player may get a gig. But he will be cut down and dropped at first possible opportunity.
Brahmins are only 4% of Indian population. Dravid, Laxman, Tandulka, Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Gambiar are all Brahmins. Just look at batting spots in last 64 years. It’s always Brahmins or high caste. British never gave India independence, British gave India to Brahmins. Indian test cricket has gone to dogs. 7-0 in foreign soil and waiting for the eighth defeat. But Brahmins can’t be dropped. The selectors are waiting for the next set of Brahmins.
January 24th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Since independence, 8 of the 13 Indian Prime Ministers were Brahmins. That constitutes 50 of the 64 years. If not for f Manmohan Singh ( since 2004), this would look much worse.