Ambedkar Jayanti: When Babasaheb Said 'Wear White'— This Poor Beedi Worker Sold His Watch to Buy a White Sari for His Wife!

Nagpur: On October 14, 1956, a historic turning point in Indian history occurred at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur when Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with nearly 600,000 followers. Taking the vows of the Three Jewels and Five Precepts from Burmese monk Mahasthavir Chandramani, Ambedkar initiated the Neo-Buddhist movement that sparked a revolutionary change in Indian society. On the same day, Savita Ambedkar known lovingly as Mai Saab delivered a powerful message of women's liberation by publicly breaking her mangalsutra, wiping off her sindoor, and discarding her toe rings - symbols she considered emblematic of female subjugation.

This was no ordinary religious conversion but a clarion call for social revolution that shook the foundations of Indian society. By renouncing the traditional symbols of marriage that she viewed as chains of patriarchal oppression, Savitabai demonstrated that a woman's identity resides not in marital markers but in her inherent personality. Among the lakhs who embraced Buddhism with Babasaheb that day were a young impoverished Nagpur couple - Krishna Sonare and Bhagirathi.

Recalling this historic event, Ambedkarite activist and retired engineer Nagsen Sonare becomes emotional, as his parents were among those who converted to Buddhism that day, beginning three generations of his family's adherence to Babasaheb's principles. Having heard this account repeatedly from his father, Nagsen told The Mooknayak: "Babasaheb had instructed everyone to wear white clothes... My father was extremely poor with no money for new clothes... When he found my mother had no white sari, he sold his only valuable possession - a watch - to buy one so they could participate in the Dhamma Deeksha."

Nagsen reveals his parents had married in 1953 when his mother was barely 12-13 years old and his father 16-17, yet such was their unwavering faith in Babasaheb that they unquestioningly followed his directives. Krishna worked in a beedi factory while his wife supplemented their income by selling vegetables.

Growing emotional while reminiscing, Nagsen shares: "My father had studied till fourth grade and got a sweeper's job in Nagpur Municipality but refused it, saying 'Babasaheb taught us not to accept work that makes people look down upon us... However well we dress or eat, if I carry a broom, my children will inherit this disrespect.'" Instead, he labored tirelessly to support his family while Bhagirathi sold vegetables door-to-door carrying large basket on her head.

Nagsen, who retired as DGM from ONGC, married in 1990 following Buddhist rites - a testament to his family's complete rejection of Hindu traditions. He reveals even his name derives from Buddhist monk Nagasena rather than any Hindu deity.

Narrating his wedding, Nagsen says: "I informed my would-be wife Pramila beforehand about not wearing mangalsutra. While she agreed, my mother objected until my father supported me, saying 'If she wears it, that would signify inequality.'" Their ceremony featured no Hindu rituals but Buddhist vows including Ambedkar's 22 pledges.

Nagsen recalls how people initially didn't recognize Pramila as married without mangalsutra - questions continued until their first son's birth. Today, though his parents are no more, both sons Sumedh and Prerit are engineers who uphold Ambedkar's ideals. The younger generation has been taught to treat life partners as equals - another lesson from Babasaheb.

Nagsen attributes their progress to Ambedkar's teachings and his father's wisdom in prioritizing education. He estimates 90% of Maharashtra's Ambedkarites now follow these progressive values, with only a minority clinging to outdated traditions.