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Ambedkar Memorial Lectures

The Ambedkar Memorial Lecture Committee1991-2013
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Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was the inspiration behind the establishment of the Ambedkar Memorial Lecture based at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

Dr Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader. Ambedkar graduated from Elphinstone College, University of Bombay, and studied economics at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He also trained in the law at Gray's Inn, London.

In his early career, he was an economist, professor, and lawyer. His later life was marked by his political activities; he became involved in campaigning and negotiations for India's independence and was Chairman of the committee drafting the Constitution of India, publishing journals, advocating political rights and social freedom for Dalits, and contributing significantly to the establishment of the state of India. In 1956, he converted to Buddhism, initiating mass conversions of Dalits.

In August 1999 Dr. P. L. Ganvir MBBS FRCS and Mr Shekhar Bagul BA (HON); LL.M approached Professor David Nicholls with the proposal for the funding of an annual Ambedkar Memorial Lecture through the MMU history department. They wished to honour the memory of Dr Ambedkar, make his name and legacy more well known and provide a platform to educate the public about the history of disadvantages groups around the world. In their initial approach they outlined their thoughts on how the lectures could be structured and pledged funding for an initial four years with the hope that this could become an annual event.

A committee of approximately 8 individuals, academics and community representatives, was set up to organise and administer the Ambedkar Memorial lecture. Nine lectures were organised and delivered between 2001 and 2010.

Lectures given:

  • 2001: Global networking around women’s livelihood since the 1970s by Sheila Rowbotham
  • 2002: India’s economic reforms and the Dalits: An Ambedkar perspective by Bhalchandra Mungekar
  • 2003: The poor, the powerless and their past: A challenge to historians by Colin Bundy
  • 2004: Poverty and inequality – A major threat to the future by Clare Short MP
  • 2005: Dr. Ambedkar’s world view and caste inequality in India by Eleanor Zelliot
  • 2006: Blair, “respect” and the law: Human rights, empowerment and social justice by Michael Mansfield QC
  • 2007: Social exclusion and inclusive policies: Ambedkar’s perspective Professor Sukhadeo Thorat
  • 2008: Equal before God: Islamic views of other faiths and social justice by Dr. Usama Hasan (2008 lecture given Mar 2009)
  • 2010: Dalits in Indian modernity: Struggling for dignity by Dr Manuela Ciotti

    • Lectures 2001-2007 were also produced as a printed booklet.

    In 2009 and 2010 the committee also arranged and administered an Ambedkar essay competition for MMU students.

    The annual lectures came to an end when the two sponsors of the project died and the funding came to an end.

    This collection contains organisational papers of the Ambedkar Memorial Lecture Committee, printed booklets including 5 of the 9 delivered lectures, copy images of Ambedkar and booklets on Ambedkar created by the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK
    Title:
    Ambedkar Memorial Lectures
    Creator:
    The Ambedkar Memorial Lecture Committee
    Date of work:
    1991-2013
    Reference number:
    GB3228.102
    Level of description:
    Collection
    Includes:
    1 Sub-collection record(s)
    Custodial history:
    Material maintained by Ambedkar Committee member at MMU prior to direct transfer to the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE CentreTilman Frasch
    Arrangement:
    GB3228.102/1/1 Organisational papersGB3228.102/1/2 Printed lectures and images of AmbedkarGB3228.102/1/3 The Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK
    Access restrictions:
    Restrictions vary24 hours notice is required to view this collection. Material will then be accessible through Manchester Central Library Search Room, Manchester Central Library, St. Peters Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. Any enquiries relating to this collection please contact: rrarchive@manchester.ac.ukRestricted
    Use restrictions:
    Unrestricted
    General notes:
    Nov-22
    Related material note:
    Burjor Avari was a member of the Ambedkar Memorial Lecture Committee and his archive is held at the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre (GB3228.91).17 volumes of Dr Ambedkar's speeches and writings are available digital at the internet archive at https://archive.org/details/Dr.BabasahebAmbedkarWritingsAndSpeechespdfsAllVolumes/Volume_01/
    Record types:
    Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre
    Record number:
    16006903
    Bookmark link:
    https://manchester.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/ARCENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=16006903

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