Washington, D.C.- The Statue of Equality, dedicated to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the 'Messiah of Dalits' and the architect of the Indian Constitution, will now enhance the prestige of the entire Indian society in Washington, America. This statue of Baba Saheb will serve as an inspiration for the people of America to rise above caste discrimination and embrace life with human values, compassion, equanimity, and love. Following in the footsteps of the Statue of Unity, the Statue of Equality is set to be unveiled in America, becoming the largest and tallest statue of Dr. Ambedkar outside India. The inauguration of this statue is scheduled for October 14th.

According to reports from foreign media, the renowned artist and sculptor Ram Suthar has crafted the statue of Baba Saheb, which will be known as the Statue of Equality. This 19-foot statue of Dr. Ambedkar will be installed on a 13-acre plot of land in Acokik City, Maryland, in the United States. Organizers anticipate that Ambedkarite individuals from around the world, including India and America, will gather in large numbers during the statue's inauguration. The Statue of Equality will serve as a means to propagate Baba Saheb's messages and teachings across the world.

Baba Saheb Ambedkar endured the sting of being a Dalit throughout his life. As a student, he faced humiliation from his upper-caste classmates due to his birth in a Dalit Mahar family from western India. Despite the challenges, he was awarded a scholarship and pursued his education at universities in the United States, Britain, and Germany.

His lifelong dream was to eradicate caste-based discrimination. Dr. Ambedkar made a significant contribution to securing equal rights, status, and respect for Dalits in society. He was one of the first Dalits in India to receive a comprehensive education. Thanks to his efforts, many economically disadvantaged students in India can access high-quality education at affordable rates. This educational opportunity secures the future of India. The progress of women in our country today, as they pursue education and advancement, can also be attributed to Baba Saheb's contributions.

Dr. Ambedkar's words and abilities have been acknowledged and embraced worldwide, which is why various initiatives are constantly undertaken worldwide to honour his legacy.

Furthermore, a street in New York City was officially dedicated to the visionary leader Baba Saheb Ambedkar on June 25th this year. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Sri Guru Ravidas Sabha and the Begumpur Cultural Society of New York, the prominent 61st Street Broadway was named in honor of Baba Saheb.

Dilip Mhaske, a prominent Dalit activist in America, shared his insights on this remarkable achievement in an exclusive conversation with The Mooknayak. He commented, "The procedural hurdles were formidable." "Since Senate approval was required, the process involved patiently waiting for several years. However, our efforts received significant support from a local councilman of Asian descent, and later, Senate members and Congresswomen rallied behind the issue, pushing it through the Democratic Party. Ultimately, our collective efforts led to success, and the road could be named after Baba Saheb."

Vietnam, a country known for its rich Buddhist heritage, had unveiled the first statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on 17th June. This monumental occasion marked the beginning of a remarkable project that will see a total of ten statues of Dr. Ambedkar being installed in university campuses across the country.

The initiative to install these statues is being led by the Vietnamese Buddhist Research Institute and it aims to honour the legacy and teachings of Dr. Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in the revival of Buddhism in India. Vietnam, with its deep-rooted Buddhist traditions, is poised to become the country with the second-largest number of statues of Babasaheb after India.

Buddhism in Vietnam traces its roots back to the 3rd or 2nd century BCE when it arrived from the Indian subcontinent. Over the centuries, Buddhism has flourished in Vietnam, receiving patronage from Vietnamese kings and rulers. Vietnamese Buddhism embraces elements of Taoism, Chinese spirituality, and indigenous folk religions, creating a unique blend of spiritual practices.

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