December 6 is celebrated annually as the Mahaparinirvan Divas every year to mark the death anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar whose contributions and visionary thinking are celebrated on this day. He laid down the social and legal foundation of the Republic of India. Babasaheb lived a tough life which was marred with new challenges everyday but his determination and problem-solving skills are evident were on display every time.

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Babaseheb Ambedkar’s expertise in subjects knew no bounds and he was well versed in areas ranging from education, economy, law, journalism, politics to sociology. Above all, the work he did as a social reformer is what will be remembered for eternity. He fought with innumerable people, including some who received education from the best institutions in the world, to eradicate the social scourge of untouchability.

Ambedkar was one of those who challenged Mahatama Gandhi on a frequent basis. The social reformer went on to convert to Budhhism and devoted his life to spreading education amongst the masses. He helped improve their economic as well as social status by challenging age old norms that had plagues the country for years.

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When Ambedkar spoke, the world listened. The work he put in to combat discrimination against women and promote gender equality had a humongous role to play in society.

On this day, we take a look back on 5 interesting facts about the Father of Indian constitution

Babasehab Ambedkar received education at the prestigious Columbia University in the United States and the London School of Economics in Britain. As per government releases, he received a scholarship by the Maharaja of Baroda in order to pursue studies in the United States.

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Babasaheb led the ‘Mahad Satyagraha’ or ‘Chavdar Tale Satyagraha’ in 1927 to fight for the ‘untouchables’ right to draw water from the public tank in Mahad. It is located in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Nearly 5,000 men and women walked towards the Chavdar Tank that day.

Babasehab adopted Budhhism weeks before his death at a ceremony which was held in Nagpur.

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Babasehab played a big role in the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India often known as the ‘bank of banks’. Its concepts were inspired by the guidelines presented by Ambedkar to the Hilton Young Commission on the basis of his book ‘The Problem of the Rupee – Its Origin and Its Solution’.

Babasaheb’s last name was originally spelled as Ambawadekar but he ended up adopting ‘Ambedkar’ when his teacher mistakenly put that spelling in the school record.