Bhimpowering the Skies: Ambedkar's Stellar Legacy Shines Bright with a Star Named in His Honor

Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of Indian equality and the first law minister of India, continues to inspire millions today, and his 132nd birth anniversary on April 14, presented the perfect opportunity to honour his legacy in a unique way. A group of Ambedkarites from Chhatrapathi Sambhaji Nagar bought and named a star in honour of Baba Saheb, with the star CX26529US becoming visible with his name on his birth anniversary.

Naming celestial objects is a complicated and arduous process handled exclusively by the International Astronomical Union. However, the star purchased by the Ambedkarites was named unofficially via the International Star Registry (ISR) in the United States. Though not officially recognised, the ISR is established and celebrated for providing a symbolic purpose to people worldwide who wish to purchase the naming rights to stars as a gift or memorial for their loved ones.

Raju Shinde, former chairman of the standing committee of Sambhaji Nagar Municipal Corporation and the driving force behind the initiative, shared that a long-standing commitment to the slogan "Jab tak sooraj chand rahega baba tera naam rahega" (Baba, your name will survive till the sun and the moon exist) inspired him to seek out a more tangible way to honour Ambedkar's legacy. The process of purchasing a star from ISR usually takes years, but due to the exceptional work of Ambedkar, the star was registered within a month and a half, and its visibility adds an extra layer of magical significance to this act of commemoration.

The purchase of a star is not a new idea; the Ambedkar Memorial Trust in the UK first proposed it in 2016 as a tribute to Ambedkar's contribution to social justice and equality. But the naming of Ambedkar's star honours his towering legacy and will undoubtedly inspire countless generations to come.

To view the star named after Bhim Rao Ambedkar, one can download the Space Registry or Star Naming application from the Google Play Store or the App Store and enter the registry number of the star, CX26529US. The act of stargazing to celebrate Ambedkar's legacy provides a way to transcend borders, cultures and religions and honour his unwavering dedication to eradicating caste-based oppression in India. This dedication is a fitting tribute to this towering figure who continues to inspire millions worldwide.