Dr. Gautam Kumar Meghwanshi
( Director )
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Centre for Marginalized Societies (DrBRACMS) is a premier research Centre established by Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner in 2017. Its aim is to provide a platform to academicians and civil society activists for understanding the problems of marginalized groups, identify the causes of their marginalization and suggest policies for their empowerment. The Centre is looking forward to carry out extensive research on the development concerns of the marginalized groups of the Indian society.
To help develop ‘Socially Inclusive Character in the Society, Economy, Politics, Governance and Development.
The Centre envisions bridging the gap between different socio-economic sections of the society through investigations and research on the origin, motives, causes, inducement and reasons behind the marginalization, their effects on the different social and economic classes of the society and their involvement in the growth and progress of the country. The knowledge gathered through the Centre will help in formulation of new policies for the betterment of the nation by providing equal opportunities to every deprived section of the society.
The Centre will strive to understand the process of marginalization of different castes and communities and shall work for socio-economic, educational and cultural amelioration of the marginal societies across the country.
In order to meet the goals/objectives the Centre has organized two seminars on the topics – ‘—–’ and ——’.
The seminar on the topic —— was organized on 13th Oct 2018. The program was presided over by Prof. Bhagirath Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Shri Hanuman Singh Rathore, Research Officer, Department of Educational Technology, Govt. of Rajasthan, Was the Special Guest and Keynote Speaker, Prof. Shyam Lal, Ex Vice Chancellor, JNV University, Jodhpur and Patna University, Patna, honored the program as Chief Guest and Shri Kanhaiya Lal Berwal, Ex. IPS and Director General, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Foundation, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of Rajasthan was the Guest of Honor. The Seminar was compered by Dr. Ambika Dhaka, Department of History, M.G.S. University, Bikaner. The Centre Director, Dr. Gautam Kumar Meghwanshi briefly introduced the main activities of the Centre, its aims and objectives and future plans.
Shri Hanuman Singh Rathore elaborated on the struggle of Dr. B. R. Ambedaker and how he rose to eminence as a social reformer and a leader of the Depressed Classes of India. He said that Dr. Ambedkar worked hard for the upliftment of socially deprived sections from the downtrodden position they were living in, as a result of social, economic, religious and political disabilities, sanctioned by religion and imposed by custom. The Indian society, according to him was a most undemocratic society, where the people were compartmentalized into classes and castes, not according to aptitude, ability or profession but because of birth. He said that the main aim and mission of Dr. Ambedkar’s life was to try to lead the Depressed Classes towards a higher social, political and economic status and to free them from the stigma of untouchability and secure them, complete equality, equality at par with the upper social classes of the ‘Hindu’ religion.
Prof. Shyam Lal, added further dimensions to the personality of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, about his journey to become the India most literate personality with a number of degrees obtained from the foreign Universities. After briefly outlining the major reforms of Dr.Ambedkar, he reviewed the socio-economic status of the Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes people in India at present. According to him, still the condition of people of SC and ST Communities has not changed as per the vision of Dr. Ambedkar even after 70 years of Independence. A larger section of the these communities, especially those inhabiting the villages and underdeveloped regions of the country face the same problems as were faced before independence and before India became a Republic – still they are not allowed to live a respectful and honored life, they are treated as untouchables at many places, not allowed to take water from the resources commonly used by the upper castes communities, they are not allowed to sit on chairs in the meetings where people of upper castes are also part, they bride grooms from SC and ST are still not allowed to sit on horse during marriage ceremony at many places. He further suggested that much of the reforms of Dr. Ambedkar are still to be implemented at the ground level and for which, recommendations should go to Government by the Educational and Social Research Institutions, NGOs, Social Welfare Departments, and Associations regarding the status of deprived sections post 70 years of independence so as to frame strong rules and regulations for proper implementation of constitutional amendments for the development, equality and inclusion of the downtrodden into the mainstream society.
Shri Kanhaiya Lal Berwal, deliberated that Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, political leader, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, orator, economist, teacher, editor, prolific writer, revolutionary and a revivalist for Buddhism in India, inspiring the Dalit Buddhist movement. He portrayed Dr. Ambedkar as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He talked about various works and contributions of Babsaheb related to Indian Economics, Labor Law, Women’s rights in their Father’s property and many other works of him related to making India a Democracy and Republic.
The theme of seminar was concluded with the Presidential remarks by Prof. Bhagirath Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, M.G.S. University, Bikaner. He moderated on the topic and brought out his views with tag line that Babsaheb Ambedkar not only belonged to Dalits but to the whole Nation. His confinement as a leader of Dalits was not justified as he amended the overall socio- economic reforms which focused on the deprived sections of the Indian society like SCs, STs, OBCs, Women and Minorities.
Dr. G.S. Chauhan gave a very impressive presentation on the biography of Guru Ravidasji. He started his speech with the birth of Guru Ravidasji that he was born in the village of Seer Goverdhanpur, near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. His birthplace is now known as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan. Dr. Chauhan explained that while his original occupation was leather work, he began to spend most of his time in spiritual pursuits at the banks of the Ganges. Thereafter he spent most of his life in the company of Sufi saints, sadhus and ascetics. He mentioned that the text Anantadas Parcai is one of the earliest surviving biographies of various Bhakti movement poets which talks about the birth of Guru Ravidasji.
According to Dr. Chauhan, the ideas and fame of Guru Ravidasji grew over his lifetime, and texts suggest Brahmins used to bow before him. He travelled extensively, visiting Hindu pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and those in the Himalayas. His poetic hymns in regional languages inspired others, people from various background sought his teachings and guidance.
He also said that Guru Ravidasji met Saint Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. He is revered in the Sikh scripture, and 41 of Guru Ravidas’ poems are included in the Adi Granth. These poems are one of the oldest attested source of his ideas and literary works. The 17th-century Nabhadas’s Bhaktamal, and the Parcais of Anantadas, both contain chapters on Guru Ravidas ji.
Dr. Chauhan also sang the vanis of Guru Ravidas ji, with other people and guests who joined the programme. He clearly presented the relevance of the poems, teachings and vanis of Guru Ravidasji to be as relevant in the present context as they were in his life time for the well being of the mankind.
Presidential address was delivered by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, M.G.S. University, Prof. Bhagirath Singh. Prof. Singh added further dimensions to the works of Guru Ravidas ji related to social harmony, equality and respect for all. He also mentioned about the work is worship principle followed by Saint Ravidas ji.
