Buddhist Voice Issue No. 7 by Buddhist Voice

Content World’s First International Buddhist E-Magazine From The Land of Buddha September 2018 Year - 5

Issue - 7

Chief Editor Dr. Anil Yadavrao Gaikwad Editorial Committee Dr. Bhadant Khemdhammo Dr. Bhikkhu M Satyapal Ms. Anita Bharati Dr. Goldy George Vidhya Bhushan Rawat Manas Jena Pushpa Achanta Advisor Dr. Prakash H Karmadkar Technical Advisor Vijay Nag Layout Design & Presentation Kamlesh Wahane Proof Reading Ms. Mitali Gaikwad Public Relations T N Urkude Circulation & Distribution Babasaheb Satpute Address for Correspondence

Buddhist Voice

Editor‘s Voice

Dr. Ambedkar International Mission (AIM)

Some Historical Developments Aftermath Of First Dalit Convention In Kuala Lumpur - C Gautam

Overview – Two Decades of Dr. Ambedkar Movement - Internationally Dr. Ambedkar Caravan marching globally - Mahesh Wasnik

10 12

Pictoral History

Publications

Articles

A life in the service of…

Mangesh D.

A Tribute to Raju Kamble

A. Karunakaran

A Tribute to Raju Kamble

V. Karunakaran

Ambedkar Movement in the West..

Arun Kumar Mahesh Wasnik

I Remember ……. Raju Kamble

Adv. Ram Khobragade

Ambassador of Dalit Movement…

Suraj Yengde

101

My Unforgettable Journey…

Ilan Annamalai

103

Man who spread Babasaheb‘s message abroad … Rajkumar Kamble…

Raja Sekhar Vundru Ashish Jiwane

Secure Ambedkar Memorial…

Ms. Santosh Dass

The Man, The mission and The Vision

107 109 113

We need to become ruling class…

115

Tributes and Condolence Meetings held

124

Facebook

124

Twitter

133

Condoloence Meetings Held

135

A Journey

139

Links for further research

141

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The views & opinions expressed by the authors are their individual opinions & do not represent the views of the Editorial Team.

Tribute to Raju Kamble

A Tribute to Mr. Raju Kamble from Buddhist Voice Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sept 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

Editor‟s Voice On the 5th of August 2018 during my visit to Bangalore while having lunch with my friend Mr. Anil Waghde informed me that Mr. Raju Kamble is seriously ill and he is hospitalized in Canada. I did not believe it and called Mr. T. N. Urkude (Secretary – India) who represents Dr. Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) who confirmed the news. Of course, I never thought Mr. Raju Kamble will leave us so early. It is very sad news. I am still in shock. My Association with aim dated back to 2002. I remember meeting Mr. Raju Kamble at Chaitya Bhumi Dadar in India. Chaitya Bhoomi and Diksha Bhumi are two venues where we all Ambedkarites meet every year. Although I was in New Delhi from 1988 to 1995 I never came in contact with Mr. Raju Kamble. Advocate Ram Khobragade and I were working together in the same organization until 1995. Advocate Ram Khobragade being General Secretary of the employees Union maintained distance with me for obvious reasons. Since 2004, I and Mr. Raju Kamble would almost meet regularly every year at Chaitya Bhumi AIM Stall. Since my involvement with Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI), we always had stalls adjacent to AIM‘s stall every December at Chaitya Bhumi on Dr. Ambedkar‘s Maha Parinirvana Day and also on Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din in Nagpur every October. Mr. Raju Kamble always supported our campaign the for Proportional Electoral System (PES) in India. My friend Mr. T. N. Urkude has been an active member of Maharashtra CERI team since 2009.

Mr. Raju Kamble‘s magnetic personality attracted people from all strata. He was one of the best intellectual friends I had. I was part of many career guidance workshops organised by AIM in Mumbai. AIM friends from Nagpur had invited me to deliver a lecture on Entrepreneurship to Ambedkarite people in 2006 during the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din. It was my first occasion to address such a big audience and this opportunity was given to me by AIM. During my professional visit to U.A.E., I had an opportunity to meet AIM U.A.E. group during the Ambedkar Jayanti celebration. I met many Ambedkarite from all over India and it was a unique experience to meet Ambedkarite from diverse fields at one place. I had an opportunity to attend 2nd Dr. Ambedkar International Convention in 2011 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This gave me an opportunity to publish a paper on topic ‗Intellectual Untouchability in India‘ and also an opportunity to present a paper on Entrepreneurship in India at an international level. I also had the opportunity to get involved in editing one of the Souvenirs of AIM‘s International Convention. AIM being an international organization it had helped me make friends all over the world and I could also derive professional benefits from such association with friends.

The contribution of Mr. Raju Kamble towards the spread of Ambedkarite movement and uniting Ambedkarite Diaspora cannot be gauged. He contributed so much to the modern Ambedkarite movement that the history of Ambedkarite movement cannot be written without recognizing the ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com 2 an always turned out to be an intellectual feast; during discussions, we could listen to his thought-provoking ideas and arguments. His ideas were unique and had an international perspective. We enjoyed every meeting all these years. Discussions

with

Mr. Raju Kamble

Tribute to Raju Kamble

contribution of Mr. Raju Kamble. It will always be recognized and remembered by the people of India. The credit has to be given to Mr. Raju Kamble for his efforts to highlight burning issues and atrocities being faced by oppressed people in India at the international level. Mr. Raju Kamble gave Ambedkarite movement a thrust by bringing together the Ambedkarites world over on one platform. AIM has a presence in more than 25 countries and certainly, it is a humungous work. Mr. Raju Kamble had dedicated his life to the movement. We all are depressed because of the untimely demise of Mr. Raju Kamble. But one thing is certain whatever life he had he contributed to the Movement with full vigor and enthusiasm. Now it is our responsibility to carry on Movement in India and abroad to the next level. We have learned from Mr. Raju Kamble to work with zeal and energy, to keep the momentum going. Known for being a fragmented lot, keeping Ambedkarites together, in itself is a herculean task. Mr. Raju Kamble set the impetus for the Amedkarite movement. Now we have to assume responsibility and keep the wheel moving in a positive direction. Once a person is passed away, the remains are his memories and his work. It looks like Mr. Raju Kamble never thought that he will depart so early. Most of us never prepare for tomorrow thinking that we are immortal and work accordingly. Therefore in the absence of well-organized structure, we all have to come together to form a governing structure so that we can work towards our goal by setting appropriate targets. It means involvement of leaders by empowering them so that their sustained interest remains.

When we made an announcement of the Special Issue of ‗Buddhist Voice‘ as a tribute to Mr. Raju Kamble we had limited material available with us, but over the period we could gather enough material to enable us to publish this issue. There are many who extended their cooperation and support and helped us in preparing the presentation of this issue. It may not be possible to mention everyone‘s contribution by name, however, we would like to thank some of the AIM members who provided material for preparing this issue. Mr. T. N. Urkude is involved in AIM‘s activities for the past two decades and he is an encyclopedia on AIM. We could understand the philosophy and objectives of formation of AIM besides the chronological order of events. Being also a personal friend of Mr. Raju Kamble Mr. T. N. Urkude provided us insight into the organization and the hardships faced by many of the AIM leaders in taking AIM to where it is today. Mr. C Gautam from the UK was the first one to get in touch with us and extend his support and inputs in terms of photographs and also articles on the issue. Mr. Mahesh Wasnik and Dr. Sudhir Kamble also shared photographs of past functions. While we were looking out for material on Award Function and Convention held at Hyderabad during December 2009, Dr. Karthik Navayan suggested the name of Mr. Ganumala Gnaneshwar who helped us with newspaper cuttings of the Hyderabad event. We have tried to provide maximum material and information which could trace the history of AIM. Hope readers will appreciate our efforts and forward this issue to all.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Dr. Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) must discharge its obligations to the very movement it derived benefits from. OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION  

AIM (Dr. Ambedkar International Mission) as an organization was founded in Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA in April 1994 by the NRI Ambedkarites. It was after the first ever inhouse celebration of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar‘s birth anniversary there in Kuala Lumpur. AIM was created to contribute to the process of overall development of the suffering untouchables/Dalits/Tribals/Buddhists, whose population in India is more than 250 million. It also aimed to create a sense of identity and also to regain the lost (due to the 2000 year old caste based exploitation and oppression) human personality. AIM made PAY BACK TO THE SOCIETY as its governing principle of philosophy/operation. In the last 24 years, AIM has grown into an international organization with functional units in U.S.A, Canada, France, U.A.E, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Malaysia, Japan, Australia etc. AIM USA was formed in year 2003. It was registered with State of Texas in 2006. AIM became a 501 ( C ) (3) organization in U.S.A in 2009.

  

Creating cultural identity Running social/educational/religious projects in India from abroad Consensus decision making Decentralized power structure Creating international platform for Ambedkarites

AIM has a lion‘s share in creating an international platform for the Ambedkarites to gather, conduct seminars/symposia, deliberate on issues of concern to the society internationally. AIM was an active partner in the first ever Dalit International Conference organised by Dalit International Organization, Malaysia (DIO) in October 1998. Second and Third International Conferences were organized by AIM with the active support of Indian Progressive Front, MALAYSIA (December 2011) and with the active support of Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Paris, FRANCE (July 2014). UP-COMING EVENT The 4th International Dr. Ambedkar Convention - Japan 2018, is scheduled to held between 22 And 23, September, 2018 at Fukuoka, Japan, in collaboration with Matsumoto Jichiro.

The educated class among the followers of Dr. Ambedkar is a product of Dr. Ambedkar‘s lifelong struggle for securing the rights of 250 million Dalits, Untouchables and Tribals. Hence the philosophy of PAY BACK TO THE SOCIETY. When an individual, a community, or a class, is a beneficiary of a movement, it ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble GLOBAL CENTERS AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM

USA CANADA FRANCE JAPAN BRUNEI AUSTRALIA KUWAIT INDONESIA

AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM AIM

MALAYSIA OMAN UAE BAHRAIN INDIA SOUTH KOREA UK SINGAPORE

www.jaibheem.com

Our Mission, India Once Again A Buddhist Nation A Website On Buddhism From Land Of Buddha !

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Some Historical Developments Aftermath Of First Dalit Convention In Kuala Lumpur Mr. C Gautam Twenty years ago, Ambedkarites from various countries assembled in Kuala Lumpur, on 10th and 11 October 1998 for the First Dalit World Convention. In this pathbreaking meet, they rededicated themselves to work towards the unity of Dalit Communities throughout the world and wage a relentless struggle. They solemnly and sincerely declared that they would dedicate themselves to the blessed unity of Dalit community throughout the world and relentlessly struggle for better and brighter future, dignity and respect of Dalits and other down-trodden communities. For this objective, the following resolutions were passed unanimously. Resolution 1 (a) This convention has recognised the initiatives towards the full development of Dalit community throughout the world but deeply regrets the flagrant violations of Human Rights such as caste discrimination and atrocities committed on Dalits in India and other parts of the world. And India being the main culprit, innocent women and children face untold sufferings in their day to day life. Therefore, this convention unanimously resolves to urge the United Nations to immediately appoint ―Special Rapporteurs‖ to commence an investigation into this Human Rights violation and also take appropriate measures to affect the implementation of fundamental ‗Human Rights‘ instrument for Dalits in India and other parts of the world. (b) This convention also appeals to the United Nations to regard this problem seriously as it affects the lives and future of 300 million Dalits throughout India and the world who are facing a fate far worse than South African or American Apartheid.

Resolution 2 (a) This convention takes a serious view on the prevailing situation in India especially in most states where blatant violations of Human Rights and atrocities are a day to day affair of Dalits especially innocent women and children are persistently being kept under bonded labour to caste Hindu landlords. Therefore, this convention urges the Central and State Governments of India to immediately arrest the situation and also bring to book those culprits who are responsible for the heinous crimes committed on Dalit people. (b) This convention acknowledges that innocent Dalits are being constantly harassed and victimized through criminal proceedings during frequent caste clashes in several parts of India. This convention, therefore, urges that respective State Governments take appropriate measures and ensure that unbiased police action is taken and justice maintained. (c) This convention therefore also urges the central and State Governments of India to safeguard all the rights provided for in the constitution especially the Reservation Quotas to Scheduled Caste/Tribe people at all levels including Police, Armed Forces, and Judiciary and also immediately fill up all vacant places without any further delay. (d) This convention urges the Indian Government to supervise the strict implementation of the Reservation Rights at Local, State and Federal level including Police and Armed Forces and also give judicial and punitive powers to the National Commission for the welfare of SC/ST communities so that commission can play a meaningful and effective role.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble World conference against racism (WCAR) held in Durban, South African from 31 August to 8 September 2001 was a landmark in the struggle to eradicate all forms of racism requiring a strong followup mechanism to examine whether Governments have delivered on their promises and envisioned the fight against racism in the twenty-first century. A number of Dalit delegates from India and abroad participated and highlighted ongoing racism based on caste in India. Perhaps it was for the first time that so many delegates attended a United Nations meet to discuss the issue of caste discrimination. The conference issued a comprehensive, action-oriented document that proposed concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It was holistic in its vision, addressed a wide range of issues, and contains far-reaching recommendations and practical measures. The International Dalit Conference held in Vancouver, BC, Canada on May 1618, 2003 was another important conference organised by NRIDalits to deliberate the issues concerning the 250 million Dalits (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) of India and their future in the 21stCentury. In any Dalit conference, Dalits generally talked about the atrocities and discrimination but hardly talked about the ways and means to alleviate their wretched conditions. In changing circumstances of globalisation and privatisation, it is not possible to depend only upon government jobs. This conference dealt with this scenario and urged the government to make provision to give equal representation to Dalits in the corporate and private sector. To give more protection and for the empowerment of Dalits, following were some of the resolutions passed in this conference: 1. The rightful and proportionate share of Dalits and tribals in India‘s national

institutions, wealth and capital must be recognised. Economic exclusion hitherto practised in the name of caste must be done away with. The community should have equitable access to means of production and economic empowerment. 2. Since no development is possible without gender justice, women of these groups must be given priority in all developmental activities. They must have formal, legally sanctioned rights on par with men. 3. Private Corporations and MultiNational Corporations operating in India must recognise and accept their social responsibilities. 4. The United Nations and its affiliates, and non-governmental agencies concerned with human rights, social and economic development must recognise that the Dalits are a special group and create separate Dalit divisions managed by the Dalits themselves. Their programmes and projects should have special Dalit components as well as a special focus in their reports. 5. Dalit Studies must be included in Indian and international educational and research institutions, especially in North America and Europe, and universities should recognise the need to admit Dalit students on priority. 6. The World Bank and other International Financial Institutions should attach conditional special component clause and must ensure the rightful share of the Dalits in the funds they lend to India for socio-economic and sustainable development. 7. The international governmental and non-governmental development aid agencies should focus on Dalit development and empowerment with initiatives to be unbuilt in their system and adopted in the funding programmes.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 8. Sustained efforts must be made at the United Nations to expedite the process of formally equating caste-based discrimination with racial discrimination. 9. Untouchability is practised in many countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. No effort must be spared to address the problem by the world community. 10. Reorganise the National and State Commissions for SCs and STs as the SC and ST Vigilance Commissions and the decisions of these Commissions should be binding. 11. All laws, rules and regulations meant for protecting the rights of the Dalits must be included in. Whenever somebody raised the issue of Dalits at an international forum, the government of India always denied that there was a caste problem and tried to sweep this issue under the carpet. For the first time in independent India, caste issue was accepted as a major social problem when the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh became the first leader to compare the condition of low-caste Hindus with that of black South Africans under apartheid. Mr Singh drew the parallel at a conference in New Delhi on social and caste injustices saying it was modern India‘s failure that millions of Dalits (meaning ―oppressed‖) were still fighting prejudice. He further stated, ―Even after 60 years of constitutional and legal protection and support there is still social discrimination against Dalits in many parts of our country,” Mr Singh said. “Dalits have faced a unique discrimination in our society that is fundamentally different from the problems of minority groups in general. The only parallel to the practice of untouchability was apartheid.” (Guardian 7/11/2007) There was a time when Indian representatives in the United Nations failed to endorse caste-based discrimination and always termed as India‘s internal problem.

But now with the pressure of Dalit‘s campaign against this hidden apartheid, even the UN representatives are forced to discuss it in public. The United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights, NaviPillay has issued a strong and eloquent call on the world to end caste discrimination like it did apartheid and slavery. She has declared, ―The caste system and the human rights abuses going with it affect as many as 260 million persons worldwide. It is prevalent in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, but also in parts of Africa with a strong Indian Diaspora. Dalits and similarly discriminated against communities across the globe have been oppressed for thousands of years. Dalits used to be called “untouchables” and even if the upper castes are embarrassed to use the word, they still view Dalits as inferior human beings. Even today, in no case the marriage of a son of a Brahman (India’s upper caste) with the daughter of a Dalit would meet family’s approval. India has an official ban on caste discrimination but it will not be effective unless it becomes a top priority for the government to enforce it.” The organisations such as Human Rights Watch, the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, and the International Dalit Solidarity Network have all endorsed Pillay‘s and the UN‘s initiative on the issue. In the UK a number of organisations were campaigning to include Caste Based Discrimination (CBD) in the British law. Even the survey conducted by the British Government‘s Equality Department shows that CBD is widely spread in the UK. But the government is relocation to accept these findings. To carry on this campaign, on behalf of various organisations, Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, UK made a formal submission to the UN‟s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in the 79th Session held from 8th August to 2nd September, 2011 that the Caste system has been imported into the UK over the last six decades. There is strong evidence of Caste-Based Discrimination in the UK. In

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Tribute to Raju Kamble light of this evidence, we recommend that the CERD call on the UK government to bring Section 9(5) (a) of the Equality Act 2010 into force and amend it to provide for Caste to be an aspect of the race. This will legally protect victims and potential victims of Caste-Based Discrimination in the UK.

in the historic Second World Ambedkarites Convention in Kuala Lumpur to be held on 16-18 December 2011. Reproduced from the Souvenier published during the Dr. Ambedkar 2nd International Convention – 2011, Page 13 – 15

The battle for equality carries on; let us find a way forward for the Ambedkar Era

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Overview – Two Decades of Dr. Ambedkar Movement - Internationally

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Dr. B R Ambedkar Caravan Marching Globally Mahesh Wasnik Vishwa Ratna, Bharat Ratna, Bodhisatva Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's last message – “Whatever I have done, I have been able to do after passing through crushing miseries and endless struggle all my life and fighting with my opponents. With great difficulty I have brought this caravan where it is seen today. Let the caravan march on despite the hurdles that may come in its way. If my lieutenants are not able to take the caravan ahead they should leave it there, but in no circumstances should they allow the caravan to go back. This is the message to my people.” Source: Last few years of Dr. Ambedkar-by Nanak Chand Rattu Friends, I am confident by looking at the current scenario with global Ambedkarite Movement, we are going to move Dr. Ambedkar‟s caravan to the next level. There is spate of local Ambedkarite organization in the major cities who are celebrating important events

with

local

community

increasing

awareness on Ambedkar‘s thoughts, his struggle to get rights for Bahujan community. He fought to eradicate old caste based discrimination. He was an architect of Indian Constitution to build the modern India based on the principle of Liberty, equality and fraternity despite their different language, culture and religion. Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on 14th October Bust of Dr. B. R Ambedkar in the Atrium, Old Building, London School of Economics, UK

1956 with 5 lakh followers. Dr. Ambedkar‘s message to his people was ‗Educate, Agitate and Organize‟.

Many educated Bahujan community members migrated for higher education and skilled jobs in other countries. Today Bahujans are located in countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri

Lanka, Canada, USA, UK, Germany, France, New Zeeland, Australia, Hungary, U.A.E., South Africa, South America and in many more countries.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Any

movement

alliance

with

that

seeks

like-minded

liberation people

need

raise

resources and to gain support to fight the issues on the ground on International level. Today, Ambedkarite movement unites the likeminded communities like the Periyar group, Dalit Bust of Brandeis University, Boston, USA

Christains, Sikhs, Ravidas Sabha, Dalit Muslims and

like-minded

Bahujans

spread

Dr. Ambedkar‘s thoughts globally among people of the younger generations. There are special lectures being held on thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar in many International Universities globally like Columbia University NY, Brandis University in Boston, University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Simon Fraser University in Britain, Koyasan University in Japan, Western Sydney University and Melbourne Central University in Australia, York University, Canada

Ambedkar School in Sajokaza, Hungary, London School of Economics, United Kingdom, etc.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Organization Name Boston Study Group (BSG) Equality labs Ambedkarite Buddhist Association of Texas (ABAT) Dr. Ambedkar Ignited Mission (AIM) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers Samata Sainik Dal International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) Dalit Women Fight Ambedkar King Study circle (AKSC) Foundation of Human Horizons International commissions for Dalit rights (ICDR) Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha Friends for education International(FEI) Ambedkar Mission Canada Dalit Network Ambedkar Times, California Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Dr. Ambedkar NRI Association (DNRI) Ambedkar International Center (AIC) Ambedkar Association of North America (AANA) Ambedkar International Mission (AIM USA) Babasaheb Ambedkar International Association for Education (BAIAE) Japan

Dr. Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) has presence globally in many countries. AIM was created to contribute to the process of overall development of the suffering untouchables/Dalit‘s/Tribal/Buddhists, whose population in India is more than 250 million. It also aimed to create a sense of identity and also to regain the lost (due to the 2000-year-old caste based exploitation and oppression) human personality. AIM made PAY BACK TO THE SOCIETY as its governing principle upon Dr Ambedkar thoughts. AIM has a lion‘s share in creating an international platform for the Ambedkarites to unite, conduct seminars/symposia and deliberate on issues of concern to the society internationally. AIM was an active partner in the first ever Dalit International Conference organized by Dalit International Organization, Malaysia in October 1998. Second and Third International Conferences were organized by AIM with the active support of Indian

URL http://bostonstudygroup.com/ https://www.equalitylabs.org/ http://abatusa.org/ http://www.aim2change.org http://banaengp.com/ http://ssdindia.org/ssd/ https://idsn.org http://www.dalitwomenfight.com/Periyar https://akscusa.org/ www.foundationforhumanhorizon.org/ http://icdrintl.org/ http://www.gururavidasssabha.org/ www.friendsforeducation.org; http://www.ambedkarmission.com/ http://dalitnetwork.org http://www.ambedkartimes.com http://ambedkarfoundation.nic.in http://danria.org https://www.ambedkarinternationalcenter.org www.aanausa.org http://ambedkarmission.org/ https://www.baiae.org/

Progressive Front, MALAYSIA (December 2011) and with the active support of Shri Guru Ravidash Sabha, Paris, FRANCE (July 2014). AIM organized 125th Dr. Ambedkar Birth Anniversary in Columbia University in 2016 by initiating like-minded organization and over 500 delegates across the world attended this conference with panel discussion, on atrocities and other concerning issues. AIM has represented to United Nations multiple times to raise the caste discrimination issue. The UN Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the international community promise to ‗leave no one behind‘ but by omitting any mention of caste, they have cast aside the dalits. It is a well-known truth that wherever Indians have gone and settled in large numbers, caste has followed. There are main Ambedkarite Media who spread message across the world like

Organization Name Dalit Dastak BAMCEF (Backward (S.C., ST., O.B.C.) and Minority Communities Employees Federation

URL http://www.dalitdastak.com/ www.bamcef.info/,http://www.bamcef.org.in/

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Organization Name Dalit Camera Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries Dalit and Tribes blog Samyak Prakashan Countercurrents Roundtable Two Circles Nagaloka Manuski in Pune Dalit Adhivashi Adhikar Andolan Mahabodhi Society Awaaz TV Navayan Buddhist Voice

URL https://www.dalitcamera.com/ (DICCI)www.dicci.org/, https://dalitandtribe.wordpress.com/ http://www.samyakprakashan.in https://www.countercurrents.org http://roundtableindia.co.in/ http://twocircles.net/category/dalit, http://www.nagaloka.org/, http://manuski.in/ http://www.da3.in/ http://www.mahabodhisociety.com/ http://awaazindiatv.com/ http://navayan.com http://buddhistvoice.com/

and many more.

First Global Conference was organized by International Commissions for Dalit Rights (ICDR) in 2015 on Defending Dalit Rights in Washington, D.C. to recognize caste-based discrimination and all other forms of discrimination and inequality as key

challenges to achieving inclusive democracy, human rights, justice, good governance, rule of law, and Sustainable Development Goals, including establishing a casteless society and empowering Dalits in a caste-sensitive Post2015 development agenda.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble All Bahujan‘s need to fight the battle on all the fronts depending on our capacity, talent, and commitment. We all need to engage in large numbers that will pay rich dividends in the movement of liberation in India. Serious thoughts should be given to it and resources should be mobilized for the same cause globally to pay back to society.

In conclusion, we will not allow Dr Ambedkar Caravan to go back where it was seen before but we will move this Caravan to the next level globally to spread the message based on equality, liberty and fraternity.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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1994 – THE LAUNCH MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF AIM Historical get together on 16th April 1994 at Kuala Lumpur where the idea of Dr. Ambedkar International Mission was conceived

1998 – KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 1ST DALIT WORLD CONVENTION – KUALA LUMPUR Venue – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Date – 10 – 11 October 1998 Main Guest – Ms. Phoolan Devi, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, Mr. Udit Raj, Manyawar Kanshiram ji.

AIM Managing Committee

Dr. Mungekar greets Mr. Pandian

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Manyawar Kanshiramji Addressing the convention Source - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W8uV80Q6-Q For details refer to article „We need to become ruling class if we want to form a casteless society‟, in the Articles Section.

Meeting with Hon.President of India K. R. Narayanan

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Meeting with Hon.President of India K. R. Narayanan

Hon Minister Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan at 1st World Convention - AIM

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Hon Member of Parliament Ms. Phoolen Devi

Source - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W8uV80Q6-Q

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Indian Delegates at 1st World Convention - AIM

Indian Delegates at 1st World Convention - AIM 1999 – DALIT LITERARY AWARD AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL DALIT LITERARY AWARD LAUNCHED. Some of the recepient of the Awards: Ms. Lataru Madhavi Ms. Ashalata Kamble Mr. MC Raj Mr. Vijay Khare Dr. Jyoti Lanjewar Mr. Gurunam Nukshar Mr. Mohandas Naimisharai

Mr. M S More Mrs. Manasi Shekhokar Mr. Surendra Prajapati Mr. Swarup Sialvi Dr. Sulabha Kadu Dr. Ashok Bhoyar

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 2002 – MUMBAI AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL DALIT LITERARY AWARD, MUMBAI

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2002 – NEW DELHI RESERVATION IN PRIVATE SECTOR, SEMINAR ON 17 OCT 2002- NEW DELHI

2002 – MUMBAI RESERVATION IN PRIVATE SECTOR, BY DALIT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION- MUMBAI CHAPTER

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 2006 – NAGPUR WORLD BUDDHIST CONVENTION - NAGPUR

International Buddhist Convention organized by AIM on 29th & 30th September 2006 at Nagpur

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Glimpse of Sovenier An editorial written by Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 2007 – MISCELLANEOUS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION –2007

51ST DHAMMA DEEKSHA DAY – 27 OCT 2007

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Tribute to Raju Kamble LOCAL PROGRAM - USA

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2009 – MALAYSIA INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF DALIT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MALAYSIA – 04 JAN 2009

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2009 – NEW DELHI LITERARY AWARDS DISTRIBUTION

Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Literary Awards Distribution, New Delhi 2009

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2009 – HYDERABAD CONVENTION HELD ON 12 – 13 DECEMBER, 2009

L - R Raju Kamble, Prof.Hari Narke, Koppula Raju IAS, Bojja Tharakam, Vundru Rajasekhar IAS, Kasi Krishna (UAE) Dr. Ambedkar International Mission 2009 – OTHER ACTIVITIES SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COLUMBIA

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 2011 – KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION DR. AMBEDKAR 2ND INTERNATIAONAL CONVENTION – KUALA LUMPUR

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

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L-R, Organising Chairman – Datuk K Panjamurti on the left

Organizing Committee Members Felicitating Raju Kamble ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

L-R, 1-Raju Kamble, 2- Datuk K Panjamurti, 4- Christopher Queen 5-S Ratna, 6-Tomonaga Kenzo (Burakamin Liberation Leader), 7- Dr. Sukhdeo Thorat and others

L-R, 1-YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramanium (Minister of Human Resources Malaysia), 2- Datuk K Panjamurti

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L- R First row 1- Tomonaga Kenzo (Burakamin Liberation Leader), 2- Mr. Raju Kamble, 3-YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam (Minister of Human Resources Malaysia), 4- Datuk K Panjamurti, 5 Dr. Christopher Queen

L- R 1- Dr. Christopher Queen, 2-YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam (Minister of Human Resources Malaysia), 3- Mr. Raju Kamble, 4- Tomonaga Kenzo (Burakamin Liberation Leader) ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

L- R 1- Mr. Raju Kamble, 2- Datuk K Panjamurti, 3-YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam (Minister of Human Resources Malaysia), 4- Tomonaga Kenzo (Burakamin Liberation Leader) Felicitating YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam

Er. Vaibhav Sonarkar Dr. Dinesh Kamble Participating in Cultural Programme ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

L- R, 1- Datuk K Panjamurti, 2-YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam (Minister of Human Resources Malaysia), 3- Mr. Raju Kamble Momento to Datuk K Panjamurti

L- R, 1- Datuk K Panjamurti, 2- Mr. Gavare, 3-YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam, 4- Mr. T. N. Urkude, 5- Tomonaga Kenzo (Burakamin Liberation Leader) Presenting Dr. Ambedkar‟s Writings and Speeches to YB Dato‟ Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam (Minister of Human Resources Malaysia) ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

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L-R Dr. Suresh Mane and Hon Minister Mr. Ramdas Athavale Sharing a light moment

Prof. Sao addressing the gathering

L-R 1- Mr. Urkude, 2- Mr. Vijay Harshey, 3- Mr. Hazare

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L-R seated, 1- Dr. Kisan Ingole, 2- Prof. Sao, 3- Dr. Sukhdeo Thorat An address by Dr. Dinesh Kamble

L-R, 1- Dr. Suresh Mane, 2- Ms. Gowthama Meena 3- Mr. Rajkumar

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Felicitation of Ms. Lata C Dongre (Artist of the 1 Act „Play Mata Ramai‟)

Mr. C Gautam Addressing the gathering

Hon Minister Mr. Ramdas Athavale Addressing the gathering

L-R 3-Ms. S S Kamble, 5 Ms. Lata C Dongre, 6-Mrs. Urkude, 7-Mr. T. N. Urkude, 8- Mr. Mahesh Lokhande Felicitation of Dance Artist from Gujarat India

Tomonaga Kenzo (Burakamin Liberation Leader) addressing the gathering with help of interpreter

Mr. Hemant Sutey addressing the gathering

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Mr. Sohanlal Ginda - UK, addressing the gathering

Hon Minister Mr. Ramdas Athawale with other delegates attending the Dr. Ambedkar 2nd International Convention 2011 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Dr. Sukhdeo Thorat Delivering Keynote Address ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

L-R 1- Mr. Raju Kamble, 4-Mr. Kalidas, 5- Dato‟ Dr. Ananda Kumarseri

L-R 1-Dr. Anil Gaikwad (Editor Buddhist Voice), 2-Mr. Raju Kamble, 3-Mr. Jadhav, 4- Dr. Dinesh Kamble, 5- Mr. Petker ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble 2013 – COMMEMORATION – COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (1913) CENTIENNIAL OF DR. BHIMRAO AMBEDKAR‟S ENTRY TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN 1913

Commemeration of Centennial of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar‟s Entry to Columbia University in 1913

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The Event was co-sponsored by History Department, Barnard College, New York

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Hon Minister Ramdas Athawale

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Kalpana Saroj

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2014 – PARIS, FRANCE – 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 3RD DR. AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION PARIS

3rd Dr. Ambedkar International Convention Paris, France 4th & 5th July 2014

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Souvenier Cover Page

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Souvenier Rear Page

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

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RESOLUTIONS AGREED BY CONFERENCE 3rd Dr Ambedkar International Convention: Paris, France 4-5 July 2014 Resolutions agreed by Conference Compiled by Ms Santosh Dass of the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance and Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK and Mr Jai Birdi of the Chetna Association of Canada – 5 July 2014 Manual scavenging An India Government Action Plan by end July 2015 that includes:  Full implementation of the law on Manual Scavenging  Re-deployment of existing manual scavengers employed in the public sector  Access to toilets for all the population – including in the rural areas Violence against women Immediate implementation of the recommendation of Rashida Manjoo UN Special Rapporteur for Violence against women 2014 report following her visit to India and the actions set out the Verma Report. Key actions required:  better governance in police stations associated with dealing with reports of violence and rapes in India. There should be complete and accurate reporting  fast track legal redress for justice for victims and their families  full implementation of the Action Plan put forward to the new Government by Women in India to deal with violence against women Improved representation of women in public life  The quota of 33% Caste-based women in Indian Parliament announced by Government was welcomed. However, if the quota did not reflect the Caste composition of women in India‘s population – this was not acceptable to Conference. Education – postsecondary A Government Action Plan that sets out by July 2015:  how to access and opportunities can be improved  a review of how the Government‘s ‗Right to Education‘ policy is working in practice and how failures in this area must be addressed Solidarity of the Dr Ambedkar Movement The Dr Ambedkar Movement must build and improve solidarity at a:  Political level  Government level  NGO level  International level Dalit literature  Better sharing and access to Dalit Literature at an international level Media bias TV and News channels to address:  Lack of representation of Dalits in media, media, films and other forms of mass communication  Improve representation of local issues that are generally just debated in News Channels in New Delhi. For example when its rape, there is to talk about it in the mainstream media but there are many other issues that affect Dalits  Soaps and dramas perpetuate old status quo of families and there are very few role models of empowered Dalit women  Dalits must create their own TV channels and other forms of media engagement ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble Intergenerational issues/gaps Key actions to address this:  Sharing of good practice  Exposure of younger generation to role models and social activists  Profiling younger key leadership positions Economic Development  Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Elimination of Discrimination based on Work and Descent into their anti-discrimination, human rights and employment policy development frameworks  Economic upliftment of the discriminated groups by providing affirmative action in supplier diversity  Demonstrable tangible improvement in opportunities available as a result of globalisation. Specific affirmative measures at multinational corporations  Access to capital for business start-ups  Improve access to market The Dalit Chamber of Commerce in India – a strong delegation from the Chamber attended the Conference - and its functions for over a decade were seen by Conference as a positive step that ensures Dalits economic empowerment Governments in Caste affected countries must recognise discrimination based on `Descent‟ as recognised in the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  We need to work together to advocate the UN‘s International Convention. 4th Dr Ambedkar International Convention The Japanese delegation of Burakumin Liberation League, Japan offered to host the next 4 th Dr Ambedkar International Convention in 2017 in Japan.

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2014 – USA FELICITATION – ARUNDHATI ROY AND OTHERS

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2014 – HOUSTON CENTIENNIAL OF DR. BHIMRAO AMBEDKAR‟S ENTRY TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN 1913

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2015 – WASHINGTON DC 1ST GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON DEFENDING DALITS 19-21 MARCH 2015 Presented by Global Conference Organizing Committee with Support from the International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR) Raju Kamble addressing the conference

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2015 – NEW YORK 124TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. AMBEDKAR –18TH APRIL 2015

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

2016 – NEW YORK 125TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. AMBEDKAR – 23RD AND 24TH APRIL 2016

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2016 – OMAN AND MIDDLE EAST 125TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. AMBEDKAR –29TH APRIL 2016

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2016 – CANADA - RED FM APPEARED ON RED FM - 2ND JUNE 2016

Spoke On Ambedkar‟s Legacy On 106.7 MHz/FM in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 2017 – NEW YORK 126TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. AMBEDKAR

Celebtration 126th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar – New York

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 2018 – USA 127TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. AMBEDKAR

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2018 – FUKUOKA – JAPAN – 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION MATSUMOTO JICHIRO & DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

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● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble

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AGENDA - MATSUMOTO JICHIRO & DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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2018 – AWARD ANNOUNCED TO BE AWARDED ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2018

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AIM Series (Publications)

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

ARTICLES A life in the Service of Ambedkarism Mr. Mangesh Dahiwale Raju Kamble, an eminent Ambedkarite, breathed his last at 2.10 am on August 16, 2018, in Vancouver, Canada. He was 64. His death is a great loss to the Ambedkarite movement. When the international reach of the Ambedkarism was limited only to a few immigrants from Punjab to the western hemisphere, it was Raju Bhau (elder brother), as he was fondly addressed, who travelled North America, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia to build what is now known as the Ambedkar International Mission (AIM). His grasp of the philosophy of Babasaheb Ambedkar was firm and clear. He came from a humble background but rose to heights in both professional and social fields. In his early days when he was working at Engineers India Limited (EIL) in New Delhi, Raju Bhau was so fully devoted to the mission of Babasaheb Ambedkar that he worked tirelessly for the incipient Backward Classes and Minorities Employee Federation (BAMCEF). He was well known in the Delhi Dalit circles as ‗BAMCEF Kamble‘. Such was his devotion to the cause of liberation of Dalits. Though he was a Top Class Engineer; he never forgot ground level activism. In fact, his efforts were always directed towards uplifting the people on the ground. While in Malaysia to work in the oil sector, Raju Bhau developed contacts with the Dalits in Malaysia. He developed close ties with Tamil speaking Dalit politicians there. With the help of Malaysians and local Dalits, he was instrumental in organising the First World Conference of Dalits in Malaysia. The conference brought stalwarts from the Ambedkarite movement on one platform, including Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram, in 1998. He continued to work to develop Dalit networks in Southeast Asia. Mobilising Ambedkarites When Raju Bhau moved to the Middle East, he developed a network of Ambedkarites in

the Middle East. His strategy of mobilisation was unique in the Gulf countries. He networked not only the rich technocrats from the Ambedkarite communities but also mobilised the labourers working there. It is to his credit that several networks of Ambedkarites are thriving in all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Later, he shifted to the US and immigrated to Canada. This was perhaps a very important phase for him to develop the networks of Ambedkarites in North America. He meticulously networked Dalits from many different States in India living in North America. He also brought many non-Indian sympathisers of the Dalit movement together through the annual celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti. He arranged international conferences and seminars to build the voice of the Ambedkarites and extend solidarity with the similarly discriminated communities like the African Americans in the US and Burakumins in Japan. The present development and standing of the AIM owe it to the indefatigable efforts of Raju Bhau. Spreading the Thought One of the remarkable contributions of Raju Bhau was to distribute the writings and speeches of Babasaheb Ambedkar to individuals and institutions throughout the world. He was ever ready to send the blue volumes anywhere in the world. Thus, he played an important role in disseminating the thoughts of Dr Ambedkar. Raju Bhau also arranged very remarkable Buddhist conferences where he invited people from all over the world in Nagpur. He was a visionary. He realised the importance of spreading the Ambedkarite movement out of India so that it wins friends all over. His untimely death is a great loss to all of us and particularly to the movement for dignity and self-respect. Raju Bhau will continue to inspire us with his dedication and

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Tribute to Raju Kamble commitment to the cause of the downtrodden and discriminated. Now, it is upon us to take forward his mission with the same zeal. Source - https://telanganatoday.com/a-life-in-theservice-of-ambedkarism/amp

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Tribute to Raju Kamble A Tribute to Raju Kamble A. Karunakaran Dear All, Jai Bheem and Namo Buddhaya, The loss of my dear friend Rajkumar D Kamble (I call him mottu with love, for which he never objected me) is not only a loss for his family, for me and my family, as one of my best friends, but also a great loss for our society. He is fundamentally a staunch Ambedkarite Buddhist and the motivating force for many of us to be socially conscious. He encouraged us to adopt the philosophy of ―paying back to the society‖. We have been friends for the last 40 years. We met when I first joined Engineers India Limited (EIL) in 1978. He was the one who led me to work for BAMCEF, lead by Manyavar Kanshi Ram, and that is what gave me an opportunity to be closely associated with Kanshi Ram. I knew he was very smart in identifying our persons from various states of India and organising them. As a result, I accepted the position of Secretary of Engineers India Limited (EIL) SC/ST Welfare Association. He himself tried to never hold any positions but remained a guide to all of us. Today, I am recalling those days in the 1980s, roaming every part of Delhi to meet our people, for spreading BAMCEF ideology and organizing social activities without ever bothering about any of our own hardships. Because of our work we gathered a good number of like-minded persons, we formed a community, and due to that, we all become good friends, despite being from different states and speaking different languages. Eventually, we left EIL and Delhi one by one and got employed in different countries. Our friendship continued even after that also. Many good old friends were working in Malaysia at one point in time. That was the year of 1994 when we celebrated Dr Ambedkar Jayanti at my house in Kuala Lumpur. On that day, Raju Kamble was instrumental in our founding of AIM,

meaning – Dr Ambedkar International Mission. We all celebrated with families and kids the whole night till morning. It was a really a joyful day for all of us including our kids. Later, he expanded AIM to other countries globally. He was also a key member in forming DIO – Dalit International Organisation. When we were In Malaysia, there was a turmoil in one of the Malaysian political parties – called the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). Not everyone in the party could accept a Dalit person as the leader of the party and as a result, this strong Dalit leader who had bravely contended for the President post of the party was expelled from MIC. He was a capable leader and his name was MG Pandithan. Having come to know this through newspapers, our beloved friend Raju Kamble and another friend, Vijay Hathmode, contacted Pandithan, and his close associate Panja Moorthy, who was also a Dalit. Raju motivated and encouraged them to form Dalit International Organization (DIO) stressing that moments like this were calls for international solidarity and international community-building. That is how DIO was found. Soon after, under the leadership of Pandithan, an International Conference was conducted in 1998 for the first time in the world history of Dalits. In his efforts to awaken and organise Dalits around the world, he sacrificed a lot – not only of his own money, but also his family time, and health. For that, I would like to thank Bhabhiji (Mrs. Nanda Kamble) and kids, Prachi and Choti, for sharing him with our society. I can say so many things about him. However, I stop here. Overall, Mr. R. D. Kamble was a role model for his incredible

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 1. Simplicity and humbleness 2. Sacrifices 3. Identifying and organising our people. 4. Awakening and motivating our people without frustration. 5. Tireless work towards Ambedkarism and Buddhism.

spreading

6. Politeness and never getting angry 7. Never bothering what others were saying about him 8. Avoid conflict with anybody and sorting out only through discussions

Buddha, who emphasised Anitya – impermanence, the reality that nobody can escape from death. Raju Kamble mingled in the universe and become basic elements. These basic elements are now joining with cosmic energy to form new lives and create more Raju Kambles for this society. We are with the bereaved family and ready to provide any support to them. For Raju Kamble by Raju Kamble‘s dearest friend, Karuna

9. Paying back to the society

(A. Karunakaran)

And so much more!

Source

I am personally very much sad and I know that all his friends are in the same situation as me. His family members must be suffering so more than us. I wish them to be strong and have courage with the support of the

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Tribute to Raju Kamble A Tribute to Raju Kamble Valli Karunakaran Dear Kamble Uncle, Jai Bhim and Namo Bhuddhaya. I am mourning your loss today knowing I will be mourning you for a long time. Uncle, you were a figure from our childhood. I have known you since I was born. My Mom and Dad were both from small villages in Tamil Nadu. They were a part of a group of young Dalits from different parts of India, in Delhi, all figuring out what the entry into middle class looked like for them. They were politicized in college but as they moved to Delhi and then to Malaysia, people like you – uncle, wove together these transgenerationally network-less, coming from steep poverty, sometimes lonely and tentative Dalit families, in a new place, in a new class bracket, surrounded by savarna power and wealth. You wove them into a powerful, political community invested in ―paying back‖ and taking the vision of Ambedkarism global. You all were a group of young couples navigating politics and personal lives together. Those relationships, even when sometimes broken towards each other remained unshook, unbroken with respect to commitment to our people. Kamble uncle you were core to our community in those days. You held people together, you showed them there was more behind the mountains that seem to stand in their ways. You were there with suggestions and possibilities. Even when energy dwindled, you carved out new paths, led folks to meet leaders like Kanshi Ram and kept their energy and politics renewed and empowered continuously with an Ambedkarite vision.

my continued interest in working towards the well-being of our people. In our time here together, we haven‘t always agreed on how the paths to that well-being can look. We have had political and methodological differences. But I have always had a deep and unwavering warmth in my heart for you. I respected you and what you meant to my community, to your friends- my parents, and how many people you drew in and lives you changed. I wish your family, your wife, and daughters – strength and love and solidarity. They are gifted with the same love, fight, and resilience our people all seem to have. I will strive to be there for them always. Kamble Uncle, Rest In Peace. The Karunakaran family misses you deeply and thanks to you for your incredible energy, friendship, life, and work. As my Dad has said – you will become the elements of the universe, and renew this universe with material to build more beings like you – those that bring love and justice. Yours lovingly, Valli Karunakaran Source

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When I came into the community here in the US, seeing you, Kamble uncle, felt like coming home again. It was such a pleasure. I knew that if you had inspired my family to work for our people, then in many ways, you have inspired me too, to continue on this path. You became one of the reasons then for ● Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sep 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

Tribute to Raju Kamble Ambedkar Movement in the Western Hemisphere Arun Kumar The installation of bronze busts of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in London School of Economics and Columbia University in New York mean that the world renowned educational institutes on both sides of the Atlantic which contributed towards the nurture and growth of Dr. Ambedkar’s prodigious intellectual skills and scholarly acumen now have memorials to one of the greatest figures of modern India. Ambedkar‘s connection with the United Kingdom goes back to 1920s when he came to London to study in the London School of Economics. He was the first Indian to acquire a Doctorate of Science in Economics from this world renowned institution and called to the Bar from Grays Inn. Later as the first Labour Minister in the post independent India, he sent many students for higher studies to London. Whether anybody stayed back or not is not known. The history of Ambedkarite movement could be traced back to early fifties when Dalit pioneers started arriving in the UK. They began to celebrate Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar‘s birth anniversaries. As those early pioneers were influenced by Dr Ambedkar‘s Buddhist movement, they established Bhartiya Buddhist Society. In 1964, Barrister Khobragade, General Secretary, Republican Party of India (RPI) was invited. In his presence, Republican Group of Great Britain was set up to support Republican Party of India. The members of this group continued to propagate Dr Ambedkar‘s ideals by inviting Republican leaders and arranging number of conferences and functions. With the split of RPI, this group also disintegrated. The followers of Dr. Ambedkar wanted to carry on Dr. Ambedkar‘s message of equality, liberty, fraternity and equal justice. As majority of migrants were of Punjabi origin and were settled in the midlands, they set up Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Committee of Great Britain, Wolverhampton in 1969. This committee opened a Buddha Vihara in 1976. As a large Buddhist community emerged in Wolverhampton, a purpose built Buddha Vihara and Dr. Ambedkar Community Centre was opened in 1991 to commemorate the Ambedkar Birth Centenary. In 2003, an Ambedkar Museum was added to this community centre in which important memorabilia such as Dr. Ambedkar‘s glasses, a fountain pen and suit

etc were displayed. These items were donated by Late Nanak Chand Rattu, the personal secretary of Dr. Ambedkar. In 1972, Bheem Association came into existence in Bedford. Later on the name of this Association was changed to Ambedkar Mission Society, Bedford. It played a pivotal role in highlighting the plight of Dalits at an international level. It sponsored Late Bhagwan Das to give a testimony in the 36th Session of the United Nations Commission on Prevention of Discrimination of Minorities held at Geneva in August 1983. It also gifted a bronze bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to the people of Vancouver, which was displayed for exhibition in the International Dalit Conference in Vancouver on May 18th 2003. This precious gift was accepted by the Simon Frasier University in Vancouver, and was installed on 14th October 2004. In 1975, a song competition was organised in which a number of leading singers from all over UK participated. The society has also helped a number of scholars in pursuit of their research with regard to caste discrimination in India and UK. First documentary on caste discrimination in the UK was made in Bedford by the BBC Network East followed by a number of features on caste issue in various national newspapers. For the first time, caste issue was discussed in the open. A number of organisations on the name of Dr. Ambedkar and Lord Buddha surfaced in various towns. Ambedkar International Mission, East London; Ambedkar Memorial Trust, London; Buddha Dhamma Association, Southall; Ambedkar Buddhist Organisation, Birmingham; Ambedkar Mission Society, Glasgow; Punjab Buddhist Society, UK are some of the organisations working to promote Dr Ambedkar‘s thought throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and

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Tribute to Raju Kamble abroad. Numerous Ambedkar Centres and Buddha Viharas were also opened. Though these organisations were doing an excellent work in their respective towns, there was no coordination and collective effort to propagate Ambedkar ideology. To coordinate between various Ambedkarite groups, Ambedkar Buddhist Council, UK (ABC, UK) was formed in 1982. For a wider participation from various groups, the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations, UK (FABO UK) was formed under the Chairmanship of veteran Ambedkarite, Late Sohan Lal Shastri who visited UK in 1985. The main objective of the Federation was to coordinate, cooperate and formulate a centralised collective effort not only to promote Babasaheb but also to become a voice of the voiceless people of India. The attention of the world had to be drawn to the continuing oppression of Dalits in India and the campaign for their human rights. It thus is a unified front for Ambedkarite, Buddhist and Dalit activists to raise the concerns at a national and international level. Strength can only come through unity and organisation. Part of the motivation for this organisation in Britain was the awareness on the part of its founders that those Indians now living abroad have a moral obligation to maintain active connections with their homeland. At the approach of Ambedkar Centenary year, FABOUK set up Ambedkar Centenary Celebration Committee, UK (ACCC UK) and launched it at the House of Commons in April 1989. Due to some dedicated Ambedkarites, the Centenary Celebration became a great success, which lasted altogether for four years. Prior to the Centenary Year, Dr Ambedkar‘s life and mission were not widely known in the UK. The activities undertaken by the Centenary Committee ensured that the attention of the wider public, media and prominent figures in public life was drawn to Babasaheb‘s vital contribution to the protection of human rights, modern India and the significance of his movement in the modern world. These events comprised exhibitions, seminars, lectures and cultural programmes. Several interviews and talks were given on TV and radio. Good coverage of all events and the meaning of the Centenary Celebration were secured in the media. The committee was asked to appear on television to highlight the

problems of the downtrodden in India. Articles and write-ups appeared in several newspapers, both the ethnic minority and the British press. TV programmes such as „In the Footsteps of Ambedkar‟, „Caste at Birth‟, „Its My Belief‟, „Encounter‟ and „The world This week‟, all examined the issue of untouchability in India and its legacy abroad; all brought wider attention to these issues and portrayed Dr Ambedkar‘s concept of a just society . FABO UK helped Late Kenneth Griffith to make a documentary film on the life of Dr Ambedkar, which was shown on BBC 2 television on 12th October, 1996. During the shooting of Dr. Jabbar Patel‘s film „Babasaheb Ambedkar‟, FABO UK helped the crew by providing accommodation and transport. Some members of the Federation took time off from their work and spent ten days with the crew to help them. Two grand functions took place at the House of Commons and the Royal Commonwealth Society, with many VIP guests; a prestigious function was also organised at Gray‘s Inn (where Babasaheb was called to the Bar). On 14th April, a bronze bust of Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar was installed in the London School of Economics (LSE) from where he obtained the degree of D Sc (Eco). On February 19, 1997, a function was arranged to plant an Indian Beans Tree (Catalpa Bignoides) in the walks at Gray‘s Inn, Holborn, London WC1, in remembrance of Dr B.R. Ambedkar in the presence of the Treasure of the Honourable Society of Gray‘s Inn, Hon. Judge Esyr Lewis QC, the Rt. Hon. Lord Bingham of Cornhill, Lord Chief Justice of England and other distinguished legal luminaries. The Committee published four souvenirs in magazine format, which were acclaimed internationally by Scholars for their contribution to a deeper understanding of Dr Ambedkar‘s work. The Federation was also asked to present a paper on Ambedkar‘s movement at a UNESCO Conference in Paris. A commemorative plaque was installed at 10 King Henry Road, Hampstead, London, the house where Dr. Ambedkar stayed during his time of study in London in 1921-1922.The FABO UK arranges every year a peace walk from 10 King Henry's Road to LSE, Houghton St, London, WC2A 2AD on 6th December to remind how Dr Ambedkar used to walk from his residence to LSE covering a long distance.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

An opportunity arose to secure this house in 2014 when it went on sale. Ms Santosh Dass MBE, President FABO UK immediately made a proposal to purchase the property and turn into an Ambedkar Memorial and have it as a use for a number of Dalit graduates as a part of scholarship and submitted on 1st September 2014 to the previous Chief Minister of Maharashtra. GoM accepted FABO UK‘s proposal and the house was bought in 2015. Now it has been converted into a memorial where a number of scholars, students and human rights activists visit this house to explore Dr Ambedkar and his work. It has become a pilgrims place for the followers of Dr Ambedkar. This house has been refurbished by the High Commission of India on the advice of an Advisory Committee set up by the GoM. Two of FABO UK members, Ms Santosh Dass and C. Gautam are on the Advisory committee. A bronze bust of Babasaheb was also installed at India House, the Indian High Commission in London. Chief Eleazar Chakwuemeka Anayaoku, then Commonwealth Secretary General did the unveiling of the bust at the India House where Late Michael Foot, former leader of Labour Party was also present. He termed ‗Ambedkar giant amongst (political) giants‘. The place where Dr Ambedkar‘s statue is installed is now named as the ‗Ambedkar Hall‘. On April, 1995, a statue of Dr Ambedkar was unveiled under the auspices of the Federation in an Adivasi tribal remote area at Valod, District Surat in Gujarat State. The statue was unveiled by the then Vice President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan before a gathering of over 10.000 people. Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar was closely associated with USA through Columbia University from where he earned his masters degree in 1915 and his PhD in Economics in 1928. In 1952, Columbia University conferred on him with an honorary degree Doctorate of Law. Later on a bronze bust of Dr. Ambedkar was donated to the university by the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisation, UK. This bust was installed on 24 October, 1995 in the Lehman Library at the School of International and public Affairs and the pedestal was donated by the Ambedkarites of New York and New

Jersey. This installation of bust means that the world renowned educational institutes on both sides of the Atlantic which contributed towards the nurture and growth of Dr. Ambedkar‟s prodigious intellectual skills and scholarly acumen now have memorials to one of the greatest figures of modern India. By installing busts at the most prestigious institutions in the World- Columbia University and London School of Economics, Dr Ambedkar was introduced to the wider public in the Western World and pave way for other institutions outside India to recognise his contribution to the human rights movement and approach to achieve equal rights through democratic and non violent ways. Now the busts of Dr Ambedkar have been installed in various educational institutions around the World including Canada Australia, New Zeeland, Japan and many other countries. Dalit Solidarity Network (DSN, UK), Voice of International (VODI), Caste Watch UK and Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, UK (ACDA, UK) were established with the objectives to bring caste based discrimination under British law and work against caste prejudice around the Globe. All these organisations value the contribution of Dr Ambedkar and follow his principles of providing equal opportunity and equal justice. FABO and its affiliated organisations fully supported all these organisations and participated in a number of demonstrations taken place in front of the British Parliament to declare caste as an aspect of race‘ in the UK. To oppose this campaign, the Hindu Council, UK issued a detailed report ‗The caste System‘ denying the prevalence of caste existence and its impact on society. They also claimed that the caste system was nothing to do with Hindu religion and in fact it was an invention of the foreign rulers i.e. British and Muslims. In response to this report, Late Chanan Chahal, President of FABO, UK issued a counter report „The Evil of Caste – The caste System as the largest systemic Violation of Human Rights in today‟s World.‟ This report was published and released jointly by the Federation of Ambedkarite & Buddhist Organisations, UK (FABO UK) and the Dalit Solidarity Network UK (DSN, UK) in the House of Commons on

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 19th January 2009. This report and the 2009 report ‗Hidden Apartheid‘ published by the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance UK were extensively quoted in the study launched by the British Government Equalities office and published by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). This report acknowledged the existence of caste discrimination in the United Kingdom. In August 2016, Ms Santosh Dass MBE, President of FABO UK, and Vice President of ACDA UK made a submission in the 79th session of the United Nations‘ Committee on the Elimination of Racial discrimination on the need for swift implementation of the Section 9(5)a of the Equality Act 2010 accepted by both the Houses of Parliament. The annual event of the commemoration of April 14 (the date of Babasaheb‘s birth) continues to be celebrated by the Federation at a location in the heart of London and a garlanding ceremony at the portrait and bust statue of Dr Ambedkar in the Ambedkar Hall at the High Commission of India. With the hard work of Late Shekhar Bagul, Dr. P.L. Ganvir and Dr Annapurna Waughray, Reader in Human Rights Law, the Department of History and Economic History set up an annual Ambedkar Memorial Lecture at the Manchester Metropolitan University. To make necessary arrangements for this lecture, Ambedkar Memorial Committee was also established. They invited a number of eminent persons to deliver lectures on various aspects of Dr Ambedkar. Ambedkarites in the UK established Punjab Buddhist Society, UK to build a monumental Buddha Vihara in Punjab on the 50th Golden Jubilee of the great conversion by Dr. Ambedkar. It was opened in October, 2006. Takshila Maha Buddha Vihara at Ludhiana was built at the cost of over two crores of rupees. It is one of the biggest Buddha Viharas in the northern India and is functioning successfully as a Bhikhu Training Centre. Dalit Solidarity Network (DSN, UK), Voice of International (VODI), Caste Watch UK and Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, UK (ACDA, UK) are other organisations working for the cause of victims of caste oppression.

The International Dalit Solidarity Network based in Demark endorsed Ambedkar Principles based on the employment laws accepted by UN to give proper representation to Dalits in various sectors. These principles were framed by International Dalit Solidarity Network, Denmark. VODI, UK is also raising the concerns of downtrodden people of India and proposing to start some development work. Caste Watch UK and ACDA were established with the objectives to bring caste based discrimination under British law and work against caste prejudice around the Globe. All these organisations value the contribution of Dr Ambedkar and follow his principles of providing equal opportunity and equal justice. FABO and its affiliated organisations fully supported all these organisations and participated in a number of demonstrations taken place in front of the British Parliament to declare caste as an aspect of race‘ in the UK. Contribution of Dr Ambedkar to eradicate CBD and his work to improve the conditions of oppressed people are being recognised in academic and political circles not only in India but also all over the World. On the demand of Dalit network Netherlands, on 30th June, 2011, Dutch Parliament adopted a motion by two third majorities requesting the Minister of Foreign Affairs to continue an active approach to combat CBD and improving the position of over 250 million Dalits in south Asian countries. It was also requested to raise issue on the European Union, UN organisations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Parliament was further asked to accept Ambedkar Principles as an integral part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy of Dutch and the European companies including in the supply chain who are active in the countries where CBD is practised. During 1980s, many Punjabis migrated to various countries in Europe and majority of them settled in Germany. They formed Dr. Ambedkar Mission Society of Europe with headquarters in Frankfurt. They celebrate Dr. Ambedkar‘s birthday in various countries of Europe such as Italy, France, Portugal and Spain. Ambedkar movement is getting stronger in the Roma community (derogatory referred to

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Tribute to Raju Kamble as gypsies across Europe) of Hungary. This movement is spearheaded by Derdak Tibor, a sociologist and a former member of Hungarian Parliament and the Roma leader, Orsos Janos. They both visited Maharashtra India in 2005 and were quite inspired by the social transformation of Dr. Ambedkar and his work amongst Dalits and now they are trying to deploy Ambedkarite ideas in their struggle for equal rights for the Roma community. They founded Jai Bheem Network, embraced Buddhism and opened three schools named after Dr. Ambedkar in Sajjokaza, Ozd and Hegymeg for Roma children. (Report in The Hindu, 22nd November, 2009). Now they run four institutions in small villages near Miskolc, North East Hungary providing primary and secondary and vocational courses. Dr. Ambedkar Gymnasium is run in the Barsod County and is a special needs secondary school having 400 students; most of them come from extremely poor Roma community. All these Ambedkar institutions are run with the help from Hungarian State, Buddhist Community and private funding. Mr. Orsos Janos travels all over Europe to talk on Roma issues and the effect of Ambedkar ideology on the Roma community. In USA, Ambedkar movement came into lime light during late 70s and early 80s when an organisation called VISION (Volunteers in Service of India‘s Oppressed and Neglected) demonstrated against the atrocities on untouchables during late Mrs. Indira Gandhi‘s (then Prime Minister) visit to USA. Many newspapers flashed this news all over USA and UK. In 1981, On behalf of this organisation, Dr. Laxmi Berwa became the first person to give testimony in the UN Human Rights Commission on the plight of untouchables and violation of their human rights. Ambedkar Centre for Justice and Peace (ACJP) was founded in the USA in 1991 by Yogesh Varhade. ACJP is a global organisation with its headquarters at Mumbai and at Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA. Mr. Varhade is a Global President. ACJP played a significant role to highlight the issue of caste discrimination and violation of human rights in India. They participated in many conferences and raised this issue in the various UN bodies. On 24th November, 2006, ACJP protested against the killings of Dalits in India and presented a memorandum

to the Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and to the office of the UN Security General‘s office. Raju Kamble was a staunch Ambedkarite and always in the forefront to carry on Babasaheb‘s caravan. He was greatly instrumental in organising first Dalit International Convention in 1998, second in December 2011 in Kuala Lumpur and third in Paris in 2014. FABO attended all these conferences and played an important role in highlighting the wretched conditions of Dalits and for their empowerment. Prem Chumber runs ‗Ambedkar Times‘ and ‗Desh Doaba‘ in English and Punjabi from Antelope, California. He is playing a significant role in propagating Ambedkar thought in both print and social media. These papers have helped to make the people aware about the contribution of Dr. Ambedkar to the human rights movement in India. Before the US President‘s visit to India in November, 2010, Dalits from all over the World and particularly from USA reminded Barack Obama regarding the position of Dalits in India and the man behind to ameliorate their conditions. Keeping in view the feelings of millions of Dalits, President Barack Obama, in his address to the Indian Parliament made a statement "We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every person can fulfil their God-given potential, just as a Dalit like Dr. Ambedkar could lift himself up and pen the words of the constitution that protects the rights of all Indians," Based in Vancouver, Chetna Association of Canada is a secular organisation representing the people from all walks of society but mainly from Dalit communities. This organisation has raised the profile of Dalit issues through seminars, public talks and screening films. The highlight of their work is International Dalit Conference held in Vancouver in 2003 which discussed the reasons for the backwardness of Dalits and the ways and means for their empowerment. FABO UK was a part and parcel of drafting the ‗Vancouver Declaration‘. In this conference, a bronze bust donated by Ambedkar Mission Society, Bedford, UK was displayed and later on installed in the Simon Frazer University, Vancouver. This bust in the library of the university has become a

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Tribute to Raju Kamble focal point for Dalit activists who organise seminar every year where Dr Ambedkar‘s contribution is discussed. In 2013, 30 years of Ambedkarism was celebrated in Canada. Dr. Ambedkar International Coordination Association of Canada has also been established in Vancouver. This association helps the needy Dalit children in education in India. In Toronto, Indian Buddhist Society of Canada is entirely based on the Ambedkar Buddhism. Its members are spread all over the country. Anand Bali runs e-paper, Bheem Patrika from Toronto. He visited UK to solicit support to build Ambedkar Centre in Toronto. Raju Kamble‘s presence in Calgary gave an impetus to Ambedkar movement worldwide. He established Ambedkar International Mission in a number of countries and organised many programmes to propagate Dr Ambedkar‘s thought and also to high light the treacherous conditions of Dalits . Indians have been able to sweep the problem of caste prejudice under the carpet. But with globalisation and modern technological advancement in communication, no issue could be kept hidden for long time. Keeping in view the nature of caste discrimination, Mandrika Rupa, a film maker from New Zeeland made a documentary film, ‗Hidden Apartheid‘ in which she depicted Dr. Ambedkar as a champion fighting for the cause of the suppressed and neglected people. FABO UK and ACDA UK members helped Mandrika to make this film. To mark the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, FABOUK organised two events on 8 May 2014 in London. In the morning, workshop on Dr Ambedkar took place at the London School of Economics, presided over by Dr Alpa Shah in which various teachers, students and activists participated. In the afternoon of the same day, a seminar ‗Dr. Ambedkar-Life and Works‘ was organised in the House of Lords. A number of members of Parliament attended this seminar and paid tribute to Dr Ambedkar. A short film on the life of Dr Ambedkar was also shown. This function was hosted and chaired by Lord Harries of Pentregarth. In both functions, Ms Santosh Dass MBE, President, FABO UK gave powerful presentations on Dr Ambedkar and his contribution and relevance to the

human rights movement not only in India but globally as well. On 11 May, 2014, a huge exhibition and public function on the life and works of Dr Ambedkar and atrocities on Dalits were organised in Bedford. Hundreds of rare photographs of Dr Ambedkar were displayed in the exhibition. This event was widely covered by the media. Celebrating Dr Ambedkar‘s 125th birth anniversary, a mega event was organised by FABO UK at the London School of Economics (LSE) in collaboration with the Inequality and Poverty Research Programme, Department of Anthropology, LSE and the India Observatory, LSE. Noble Prize laureate Prof. Amartya Sen was the Key Note speaker. Prof David Mosse, Dr Alpa Shah, Dr Clarinda Still, Dr Anand Teltumde be also spoke. For the last six years, Ambedkar events are organised in the British Parliament in which academics, human rights activists and British politician take part. With the increasing popularity of Ambedkar and his movement, he is becoming a World phenomenon. Sensing the interest people showing in the liberation movement of Ambedkar, soon he will be considered as one of the leading icons who fought for equality, liberty, fraternity, equal opportunity and equal justice and his name will be mentioned along with Martin Luther King Junior and Nelson Mandela. “Author is a human rights activist, follower of Dr Ambedkar involved in his movement in UK since 1977, had served in number of organisations in various capacities. Currently he is General Secretary of Ambedkar Mission Society, Bedfortd and General Secretary of Federation of Ambedkarites and Buddhist Organisations, UK”. Reproduced from the Souvenir published during the Dr. Ambedkar 2nd International Convention – 2011 held in Kuala Lumpur, Page 16 – 20.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

The Man, The mission and The Vision-Mr. Raju Kamble Mahesh Wasnik I came to know Mr. Raju Kamble in 2001 when I met him personally during Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti Program in New York. Since then we were in meeting regularly at every Ambedkar Jayanti, Dhamma Chakkra Pravartan Din, at local conferences or sometimes in protests. I would like to highlight one of my great experiences with Raju Sir. I used to call him Raju-Sir because he was like a teacher to me and also my mentor

I got a 2nd chance in 2003 to meet with Raju Sir in Nagpur. I was on my vacation during Christmas break. I was in Pachapaoli, Nagpur at my in-laws house for a couple of days. Raju Sir came to know that I am in India so he called me and asked if I am available for 2-3 hours. Raju Sir said that he will come and pick me up and go to the local Buddha Vihara. He didn‘t mention program detail. Then it was winter in India. It was a beautiful morning in Nagpur with bright Sun and chilly wind. He came in a Maruti VAN (old style VAN) around 11 AM to my place. I greeted him with Jaibhim and requested him to come inside for a tea at my in-law‘s house near Bhim Jyoti Buddha Vihara, Panchpaoli, Nagpur. He was in a rush and mention he will come later when he will drop me.

When I reached to his car-Maruti VAN, it was a different experience, I saw the back-seat full of books on Buddhism, Dr. Ambedkar Writings, and Speeches Volumes and related literature. Raju Sir drove me to Mahendra Nagar Buddha Vihara near Water tank, Rani Durgawati Chauk Nagpur. When we visited there then I come to know that he was planning to donate these approximate 50-100 books and furniture to the study circle at Mahendra Nagar Buddha Vihara. After book donation, we had a small talk with students and the local Vihara members. We had a very good conversation with students for almost 12 hours and Raju Sir encouraged them for higher studies, request them to read Ambedkar and Buddhist literature and also asked them to engage with community activity. This was my first experience with students and local members with Raju Sir. I was very happy to see all his social activity, with a smiling face and encouraging students and local members to engage in a community program. Once the Vihara program got over, we drove down to Diksha Bhumi to buy more books to donate to the other Viharas and later he dropped me at my place. During the drive, Raju Sir spoke about local and international Ambedkarite movement, BAMSEF activity and his own Ambedkar International Mission activity in Malaysia, Arab countries, USA and Canada. He talked about his mission and vision to “PAY BACK TO SOCIETY”. His mission to educate and make a difference in economic and social development. He talked passionately about his vision to bring together all the Ambedkarite members from different parts of the country like Punjab, Gujarat, Tamilnadu, Andhra and other states in India and other countries. He emphasized how to gather all Ambedkarite organizations and together make a difference socially and

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Tribute to Raju Kamble politically. Those hours spent with Raju Sir changed my perspective on the movement and motived me towards the Ambedkar International Mission activities. I became active and started participating in and organizing local events. If I had not met Raju Sir in 2003 I would not be where I am today. Similar things happened to lots of other individuals who come in contact with Raju Sir. He was my mentor and teacher in a social movement. Raju Sir was very humble and used to talk to every individual who used to visit Diksha Bhumi/Chaitya Bhumi Stalls. He used to distribute Dr. Ambedkar Volumes to all the educational institutes and Buddha Vihara.

Mission‘s events. He was the only who used to manage events single-handedly. He never asked for any fund/donation from people. He used to spend out of his own pocket to travel, to distribute books and organize the events. Raju Sir will be remembered forever across the world because of his selfless work towards Ambedkarite community has influenced many lives for positive development. He is a real hero of the Ambedkarite movement and encouraged many to „Pay Back to Society‟. Mahesh Wasnik, Automotive Engineer in Detroit, Michigan USA

I saw the organization capability in Raju Sir who could bring the community together. He also used to invite well-known personalities, academicians to all Ambedkar International

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

I Remember ……. Raju Kamble Adv. Ram Khobragade I met Raju Kamble in the year 1978 or so at Buddha Jayanti Park, New Delhi during the Socio-cultural programme organized by All India Sidharth Welfare Association, New Delhi. That was routine yearly programme, where all the families from Maharashtra (Buddhists) celebrated their social connectivity in a get-to-gather programme. I was very new to such a programme. Prior to that, I was told, he had visited BAMCEF Central Unit Office in Karol Bagh, New Delhi during my absence. He was then working with Engineers India Ltd. (EIL), New Delhi. His office was located in PTI Office, Parliament Street, New Delhi, while my office was located in Bank of Baroda Building near Jantar Mantar. Once we met in BAMCEF office and discussed in detail about BAMCEF activities, planning in future and functioning of the organization. He was impressed by the BAMCEF functioning and decided to associate with us. He was accompanied with Er. V.R. Meshram and Mr. Satpute (I think he is no more), all the Top Class Engineers. Later on we used to meet quite often, as our offices distance on the Parliament Street, New Delhi was very short. During the year 1979, on the occasion of Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti myself, Raju Kamble, V.R. Meshram and Satpute decided to visit top level officers of Maharashtra, who were posted in New Delhi, for collection of donation for Ambedkar Jayanti function. Throughout the day, right from 9 AM to 6 PM, we visited most of the Buddhist officers‘ houses for donation. It is really painful to note that, I spent from my pocket Rs. 214/on auto, bus fare and could collect hardly Rs. 200/- from the beneficiaries of Baba‘s movement, educated in the institutions of Babasahab – Milind Mahavidyalaya, Aurangabad & Siddharth College, Mumbai. That was their dedication to the great memory of Dr. Ambedkar.

Mr. Raju Kamble, Mr. V.R. Meshram and (then) Mr. Karunakaran could be called as 3 idiots of Ambedkarite movement, regularly visited BAMCEF office, participated in the functions and fully cooperated in all the activities. During the BAMCEF National Convention 1980, at Ram Lila Maidan, New Delhi, unfortunately mismanagement took place and entire programming failed. This time our engineers – Raju Kamble, Meshram and Karunakaran even cleaned plates of activists, for the sake of mission and movement of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. During our meetings at EIL office we discussed and planned about publication of a monthly magazine from New Delhi. I got the title of the journal cleared from Registrar of Newspapers, Delhi as ―Jan Andolan Ka Sajag Prahari‖. In the meantime Mr. Vijay Hathmode (Harshey) joined us. All the 3 engineers left the job of EIL and shifted to

Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia. Mr. Kamble was at Abu Dhabi. Mr. Meshram and Mr. Karunakaran at Brunei. Through the correspondence, finally they decided to finance the project of publication monthly magazine “Jan Andolan Ka Sajag Prahari.” I was to be Editor-in-Chief. Vijay Hatmode, Publisher and Chandrashan Bharat of Agra as Editor. I resigned on 17th August 1995

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Tribute to Raju Kamble from IFCI Ltd., leaving a lucrative job fetching Rs. 17,000/- monthly salary and accepted a small amount of honorariam Rs. 5000/-. Our first issue of “Jan Andolan Ka Sajag Prahari” was released on the occasion of Dhamma Chakkra Pravartan Day 14th October 1995. We successfully published the magazine without gap for 3 years. We also published occasional special issue on the anniversaries and issues of impotence to Bahujan Samaj. First World Dalit Convention 1998 During the stay of Mr. Raju Kamble, Mr. Karunakaran and Mr. Meshram in Malaysia, they came in the contact of M. P. Pandithan, Member of Parliament of Malaysia and President of ‗Indian Peoples‘ Front of Malaysia. The idea of World Dalit Convention was discussed among them. They decided to invite India‘s President (then) Dr. K. R. Narayanan as Chief Guest, Kanshi Ramji, Phoolan Devi and Ram Vilas Paswan. For President‘s appointment they struggled for 3 years but they could not succeed. Mr. Pandithan even visited America during the President‘s visit to America. But in vain. Here in India also Raju Kamble could not succeed to meet Kanshi Ramji, Phoolan Devi and Ram Vilas Paswan. His all efforts proved futile. Finally, Raju approached me for appointment of the President, without whom their First World Dalit Convention could not have succeeded. He narrated me all their 3 years struggle for getting appointments of dignitaries. When Mr. Raju Kamble told me for such appointment I initiated the efforts and with the help of Madame Kamla Sinha, MP (Rajya Sabha & President Hind Mazdoor Sabha – Socialist Trade Union) who was then President of my Union-All India IFC Employees Association, New Delhi & I was General Secretary of the Association. Madam got the appointment of the President Dr. K.R. Narayanan. The meeting took place, photographic session also took place and the President had given 5 minutes time which was extended to 15 minutes (side photograph

of the occasion). Mr Pandithan and his other 2 colleagues were also introduced to Ms. Phoolan Devi and Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan (they both were then M.Ps Lok Sabha). Meeting with Kanshi Ram was little difficult as I was not with him then. However, I managed their meeting through BSP Delhi Unit President. Finally, First World Dalit Convention, organized by Dalit International Organization (DIO) and Indian Peoples Front of Malaysia (IPFM) was fixed on 10th & 11th October 1998 at Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia. I was there in Malaysia for 1 ½ month at the residence of Mr. Panjamurthy, their General Secretary for preparation of the convention. The cover page of the souvenir was designed by the great portrayal artist, Mr. Prakash Patil of Ballarpur, who was topper of Bachelor of Fine Arts of Nagpur University and topper of Master of Fine Arts, Banaras Hindu University. Prakash Patil is that great artist who painted 125 oil paintings on canvas of Narayana Guru, Jyotiba Phule, Shahu Maharaj and Dr. Ambedkar on their most important events and oil paintings of atrocities on Dalits (very famous and media discussed incidents). The above paintings named as HISTORY of India‟s Social Revolution‘ by BAMCEF. Kanshi Ramji took these paintings to various places in UP, MP, Maharashtra, Punjab, Harayana, J&K, Rajasthan and named the project as Ambedkar Mela on Wheels. Thousands of people gathered to see the impressive paintings Kanshi Ramji got the political leverage out of these paintings. Prakash Patil did not charge a single paisa for his works and dedicated 2 years of his life in preparation of these paintings at the rented house of Raju Kamble, V.R. Meshram and Satpute in South Delhi area. First I got P.F. loan of Rs. 7000/- (then) for preparation of these paintings from my office, Kamble, Meshram and Satpute, provided fund and place for Prakash Patil. The paintings greatly revolutionized the minds & hearts of Bahujan Samaj. Unfortunately when BSP came to power in Uttar Pradesh

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Kanshi Ramji did not give even a 2 BHK flat to Prakash Patil or any award from U.P. Government for his great work. For the Souvenir of the convention messages were invited from the dignitaries. Kanshi Ramji sent Rajan, (Office Secretary of BSP then) to Karol Bagh to take me to his BSP office. Kanshi Ramji asked me to write the message on his behalf and his bio-data, which he knew that I alone could do. I did it and the same was signed by Kanshi Ramji without a single cut. The convention was very successful. President of India sent his message for the convention. Mr. Udit Raj (Now BJP MP from Delhi) very forcibly insisted that he would read the message of the President as against the practice that official message of President of the country is always read by the Indian Ambassador or High Commissioner, posted in that country. After First World Dalit Convention, I came to India. Thereafter, 2nd and 3rd Conventions were held outside India. My association was necessary for opening of the relationship with World Dalit Leaders for the first time in 1998. The second convention that took place again in Malaysia in 2011. Mr. Punjamurthy, then

President of Indian People‘s Front of Malaysia, rang up me and extended the invitation of the convention. The success of First World Dalit Convention projected Mr. Raju Kamble great organizer of Ambedkarite Movement on International level. He was a person who made great contribution to carry the message and philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar all over the world, through full dedication, devotion and commitment. Credit must be given to him for popularizing and propagating the mission and philosophy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on International level. I pay my heartiest homage to his contribution for Ambedkarite movement through Ambedkar International Mission (AIM). Adv. Ram Khobragade Founder Member of BAMCEF (1978) D-S4 & Bahujan Samaj Party and Ex. Editor-in-Chief of Jan Andolan Ka Sajag Prahari.

L to R Mr. Raju Kamble, Adv. Ram Khobragade, Mr. M.G. Pandithan, MP, Malaysian Parliament, Dr. K.R. Narayanan, (then President of India)& Madame Kamla Sinha, MP (Rajya Sabha) & 2 colleagues of Mr. Pandithan.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

Mr. Vijay Harshey and Adv. Ram Khobragade at AIM 2nd International Convention Kuala Lumpur, 2011

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

How a Chemical Engineer became the Ambassador of International Dalit Movement Suraj Yengde went to bastis to organise poor working class Dalits under a Bahujan movement. His single room in Delhi was used for mounting the first Dalit atrocity exhibition under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. Kamble worked with the likes of Kanshi Ram and Mayawati. He escorted Mayawati during her visits to various remote locations in north India during the formative years of The All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation, or BAMCEF.

Be it installation of Ambedkar statue in London or organising protests at UN against Dalits atrocities, Mr. Rajkumar Kamble led many efforts. After years of careful exclusion, several Indian missions abroad have now earmarked April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti, as a day of official importance. The international Ambedkarite movement, active in over 21 countries, forced Indian missions to acknowledge the existence of a Dalit diaspora. One person who stands out for pioneering the international Dalit movement is Rajkumar (Raju) Kamble, who passed away 16 August in Vancouver. Mr. Kamble was born on 4 January 1954 in Nagpur, the base of the Ambedkarite movement in India. He graduated from the Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur and then from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru with a degree in engineering. As one of the first-generation highly educated Dalits, Kamble was dedicated to the mission of ―pay(ing) back to society‖. After getting a coveted government job in Delhi, he knocked the doors of well-paid Dalit officers as well as

He was witness to the BAMCEF/BSP formation and its division. At the first central executive committee of BAMCEF, Kamble remarked, ―I saw him [referring to a leader who is now a national president of a BAMCEF faction] creating a rift. I could see him sowing the seeds of differences and it eventually broke‖. Notwithstanding the internal conflicts, Kamble resolved to continue with his work overseas, and laid the foundation for an international Dalit movement. Kamble‘s career as a Chemical Engineer, spanning 37 years, took him to various parts of the world. Wherever he went, he established a Dalit movement. His grassroots and international experience helped the Dalit diaspora start chapters of Dr Ambedkar International Mission and other Ambedkarite groups in over 21 countries. Farewell to the General Kamble was a general of the international Ambedkarite army, and aligned the cause of Ambedkarism with other social justice movements. As a result, the AfricanAmerican, the Burakumin, the south Asian Dalits as well as the progressive Indian diaspora were his allies. He had resolved to begin the movement in Africa too. After Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Mr. N. Sivaraj, Mr. Kamble was

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Tribute to Raju Kamble formidable name who put the Dalit struggle on the world map. The caste-based identity struggle could not adequately find favourable attention in the history of Indian diaspora. Therefore, when we come to understand the issue of global caste-based struggle, we find the lacunae of past 200 years is filled by contemporary Ambedkarite movement, which was spearheaded by Kamble. His love for books and his belief in their power proved to be a blessing for the Dalit cause. He was an unofficial librarian of Ambedkar‘s Writings and Speeches, and gifted books on the leader to everyone he met in the last 35 years. A witness to the post-Ambedkar India, Mr. Kamble firmly believed in nurturing the next generation. He regularly visited educational institutes to support and encourage Dalit students by distributing books and organising talks. Many students in the audience, who eventually went abroad, became leaders of Ambedkarite international organisations in countries they settled in. In my years of international activism, I have found people from different ideologies united in their appreciation of Kamble‘s relentless efforts. He involved everyone and worked with anyone who was committed to the Dalit cause.

Be it the Ambedkar Chair in Columbia, the installation of statues and portraits of Ambedkar in London, or organising protests at the United Nations against the Indian government for atrocities against Dalits, Kamble was at the forefront of these efforts. He was critical of some recently monetised Dalit movements in the diaspora that stressed issues unrelated to the movement. The NGOization of the movement stood in the way of creating a robust critical mass of audience that would eventually join the movement as a sincere cadre. Kamble has left behind a carefully crafted international Dalit movement. His story needs to be recorded and it needs to be told. His work stands as an inspiration to not only Dalit activists but other parallel movements in the world, which desperately seek an international audience. Suraj Yengde is an international Dalit rights activist based in the USA, and is a Shorenstein Center inaugural postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. Reproduced from - https://theprint.in/opinion/ how-a-chemical-engineer-became-theambassador-of-international-dalitmovement/105638/

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At the 125th Ambedkar Jayanti in Columbia University, everyone in the audience was given a chance to take the stage and express their appreciation of Ambedkar. In his conferences, everyone listened to everyone — a sharing of Dalit empathy and solidarity. ―I give everyone a stage, so they don‘t become a problem in future‖ was his strategic move. Mr. Kamble helped organise many global conferences and seminars on the burning issues of caste and untouchability. Many universities in the West witnessed a growing awareness of Ambedkarite discourse when a singular ideology of Brahminical elements was dominant. Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sept 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

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Tribute to Raju Kamble My Unforgettable Journey with (Late) Mr. Raju Kamble, a True Ambedkarite Mr. Ilan Annamalai My unforgettable journey with (Late) Mr. Raju Kambleji (hereafter addressed as Raju Kambleji) was started way back in mid1982, when I joined my first company, Engineers India Limited, New Delhi as a management trainee. In those days, one had to complete one-year training before being absorbed as a regular employee. Both the city and Hindi language were totally alien to me. Fortunately, Mr. Raju Kambleji was working in the same department, in which I was induced. After a couple of weeks, one fine evening after the office hours, RAJU KAMBLEji had called me to his office. That was my very first encounter with him. What started off as a cool chat had turned towards caste. In fact, I was a little bit jittery to discuss about it. On seeing Ambedkar‘s photo on his table, I started feeling comfortable. However, I was quite perplexed to see Babasaheb‘s photo being displayed openly by an individual. In those days, people in our state were quite hesitant to ask somebody‘s caste openly, that too in the very first meeting. In Tamil Nadu, people generally did not use surnames (even now), perhaps due to Dravidian Movement. This gave an opportunity for people to hide one‘s caste or circumvent it conveniently. It was quite challenging to identify and associate with our people in our state. After knowing Raju Kambleji and our other colleagues, I was so happy and starting feeling so comfortable as if I was surrounded by my close relatives. Many of those colleagues from EIL such as Viswanath Meshramji, Karunakaranji, Vijay Hersheyji, Babu Naikji, etc. are still very active social activists. After that first meeting, I had developed a good rapport with Raju Kambleji, considering him as an elder brother, a guru and a mentor (both professionally and socially). He was careful not to expose me unnecessarily so that I could complete my training and probationary period successfully and establish well in the company. He knew that

one‘s own wellbeing was important prior to embarking on social activities. Later on, I realised that it was similar to Buddha‘s teaching ―May I be well, happy and peaceful, ----―. After that, I regularly started attending EIL SC/ST Employees‘ Welfare Association meetings, Ambedkar Jayanti functions, family picnics, etc. It was such a pleasure to decorate the hall, wrap the gifts, arrange for food, etc. on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti functions. Though I read books on and by Periyar, a great rationalist and the founder of Dravidian Movement, I did not have much exposure to other social reformers. He was kind enough to give me a lot of literatures on Babasaheb and other social reformers such as Mahatma Jyothiba Phule, Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj, etc. Later on, he used to take me to BAMCEF (Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation) meetings and their annual conventions. Thus, I was gradually getting involved with Phule-Ambedkar movement. Many of us had left EIL for greener pastures abroad and ended up working in different parts of the world. After EIL and a brief stay in Singapore, I went to Italy for work in January 1990. I was fortunate that Raju Kambleji joined the same company after completing his assignment in USA. Even though we were a small group of three families, Raju Kambleji ensured that regular meetings and Ambedkar Jayanti functions were held. He was constantly on the look-out for our people and in fact, he managed to find some. I saw the same spirit and enthusiasm in him. After Italy, both of us moved to Malaysia during early 1994. At that time, quite a few ex-EIL colleagues such as Karunaji, Babu Naikji, Vilas Gaikwadji and other Ambedkarite such as Ramachandranji, etc. were also working there. All of us had a great enthusiasm to do something fruitful for our community. It is certainly worth recalling

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Tribute to Raju Kamble that wonderful night on the 16th April 1994. On that night, not only did we celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti with full festivity, but also we had a fruitful brain-storming session on many topics with active participation from all members including ladies until next day morning. That strategic session laid the foundation for Ambedkar International Mission (AIM). AIM was established as a “Non-religious, Non-political and Non-agitational Organisation”, comprising of like-minded Ambedkarites around the world with the key objective of ―Pay Back to the Society‖. Sound financial base is necessary for long-term sustainability of any movement. In order to support this, he inculcated a habit of monthly contribution, and other financial supports in all of us. Of course, peaceful agitation within the democratic framework of the Constitution as envisaged by Babasaheb was acceptable. Babasaheb‘s message of ―Educate, Organise and Agitate‖ was loud and clear. We recalled Babasaheb‘s historical speech in Agra on 18th March 1956, painfully quoting ―Educated people have deceived me---―. As educated people, we did not want to betray our beloved leader. Having been motivated by Raju Kambleji, all of us had determined to move Babasaheb‘s caravan forward.

Raju Kambleji was very passionate about distributing the literatures and books on and by Babasaheb particularly the seventeen (17) volumes of ―Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches‖ and Dhananjay Keer‘s Dr. Ambedkar: Life and Mission to every nook and corner of the World. Under his guidance, we successfully distributed the sets of 17 volumes to more than 25 public libraries in Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, the same were distributed to many other Public Libraries, Universities/Colleges, Social Organisations, eminent and intellectual persons, and also to individuals in India and around the world. We also carried out many other social activities such as financial support/merit awards to students, supporting Dalit literatures/writers and felicitating the Dalit writers, celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti functions, holding literary awards/student merit awards/scholarship functions, conducting intellectual meetings & international conventions, etc. Hats-off to his intuitive way of identifying and motivating our people in different parts of India and around the world. One such example was the identification of our people and their movements in Malaysia. At one time, there was some news in one of the local newspapers about the caste discrimination and upcoming political party, Indian Progressive Front (IPF) led by (Late) Senator Mr. M. G. Pandithan. Raju Kambles and other AIM members immediately established contacts with (Late) Senator Pandithan,

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Datuk Panjamoorthy and their supporters. At that time, IPF was getting stronger especially among our people in Malaysia. With their overwhelming support and enthusiasm and of course Raju Kambleji‘s motivation and tireless efforts, it was decided to hold the Historical First World Conventionof the Dalit International Organisation (DIO) on the 10th and 11th October 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While I had the opportunity to accompany (Late) Senator Pandithan and his Malaysian Delegates to invite the guests in Chennai, RAJU KAMBLEji escorted them in Delhi to invite Honourable Ex-President (Late) Mr. K. R. Narayananji, Manyavar (Late) Mr. Kanshi Ramji, Honourable Minister Mr. Ram Vilas Paswanji, and other distinguished guests for the convention. Everything went well and the First World Convention was indeed a grand success.

After Malaysia, I went to Brunei and Raju Kambleji moved to UAE, where he established the AIM UAE unit. While I was in Brunei for almost a decade from 1997 to 2007, AIM Brunei unit was formed by a group of zealous Ambedkarites such Viswanath Meshramji, Karunaji, Gulshan Kalsiji, Dr. Sudhir Kambleji, Manivannanji, Sankar Rajji, Thangamalaiji, etc. We were constantly in touch with Raju Kambleji and worked together for the convention and also for carrying out our mission‘s activitiespublication of our own booklet titled ―Social Education for Social Justice‖, monthly magazine named ―Sajag Prahari‖, Literary Awards/Student Merit Awards, Distribution of Books and Literatures, etc. From UAE, Raju Kambleji migrated to North America (Canada & USA), and continued with AIM‘s activities. Raju Kambleji and other Ambedkarites in Calgary such as Major Malji, Babu Naikji, Gulshan Kalsiji established Ambedkarites International Mission, Canada in 2005 and got it registered as non-profit organization in 2007 in Calgary. From Brunei, I went to Oman in August 2007 and stayed there until August 2011 and then I migrated to Calgary, Canada in September 2011. During my stay in

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Muscat, AIM Oman unit was formed with the support of many passionate Ambedkarites such as Chetanji. In fact, Raju Kambleji had visited Muscat and provided us a lot of motivation and the importance of Pay-back to Society and AIM activities. Again, I was fortunate to carry out social activities with Raju Kambleji in Canada. Currently, we have a large group of Ambedkarites families in the Canadian Province of Alberta- 200+ in Calgary and 80+ in Edmonton. Some of the key activities carried out in the past by AIM Canada unit were donation of 17 volumes of ―Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches to University of Calgary (UFC) & Mount Royal University, Calgary, holding Biennial Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Symposia at UFC, with lectures & papers presented by eminent & distinguished intellectuals such as Dr. Elenor Zilliot, Dr. Mungaker, Dr. Sukhdeo Thorat, Dr. Christopher Queen, Dr. Suresh Mane, Prof. Vivek Kumar, Mr. L. R. Balley and many more, celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti functions, supporting social projects in India, etc.

vision of ―Pay-back to the Society‖ in a meaningful way. He was a great man of uncompromising principles. A perfect example of Babasaheb‘s quote ―A great man is different from an eminent one in that he is ready to be the servant of the society‖. He was ready to sacrifice anything but his selfrespect for the uplift of the oppressed community. Alas! My 36+ years of wonderful journey with Raju Kambleji abruptly ended on 16th August 2018, when he breathed his last in Vancouver, Canada. Though his untimely demise was an insurmountable loss and a set back to our movement, his vivid memory in our minds and thoughts will guide us to move Babasheb‘s Caravan forward to greater heights. As per Buddha‘s teaching, ―Nothing is Permanent‖ including our worries!

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As seen from above, Raju Kambleji had been a great and constant source of inspiration for me throughout my social life as well as to become an ardent Ambedkarite. Likewise, he was instrumental for thousands of Ambedkarites in India and around the world. With Raju Kambleji‘s persistent efforts and motivation, AIM units are now established in all continents- USA, Canada, UK/Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and of course many parts of India. He had a clear vision of spreading Babasaheb‘s universal teachings across the globe and his mission has resulted in a wonderful network of Ambedkarites around the world. Raju Kambleji was truly a remarkable person, a staunch Ambedkarite, a born leader, a man of principles, a person of great stature, and a great visionary & missionary stalwart. He institutionalized Babasaheb‘s Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sept 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Man who spread Babasaheb‟s message abroad Mr. Raja Sekhar Vundru A tribute to Mr. Raju Kamble, instrumental in consolidating the Dalit diaspora in East Asia and the West. His exertions contributed to Ambedkarites, here and abroad, having reached a stage where they can effectively fight discrimination. Dalits formed the majority of all British Colonial indentured labourers who left Indian shores and worked in plantations in Malaysia, Burma, the West Indies, Fiji, Surinam, Mauritius and South Africa. These families assimilated themselves into their new country and have now become a part of the Indian community. But the next wave of Dalit immigrants to the world were the followers of BR Ambedkar. They form the new diaspora, known as Ambedkarites. The Ravidasi Community from Punjab forms the single largest caste group among the Indian diaspora and its members are devout followers of Dr Ambedkar. Guru Ravidas Sabhas/Temples are dotted across the world, from one of the largest in Vancouver in Canada to New York, Pittsburgh, Sacramento in the US; to each and every town in the UK; in Europe and West Asia. The Ambedkarites celebrate his birthday, year after year and whenever atrocities happened back home, protest in their own way. A Watershed Moment The centenary celebrations of Dr Ambedkar in 1991 became a watershed in the international Dalit movement. A federation of the Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations (FABO) came to the fore in the UK and went on with the celebrations with fervour, bringing Ambedkar into international reckoning. According to an estimate, people of Dalit origin form almost 50 per cent of the Indian diaspora living in the UK. It was FABO which identified and made London city preserve the memory of Ambedkar at 10, King Henry Road, London - now purchased by the Maharashtra Government and made into a memorial.

Around the same time, highly educated Ambedkarites started migrating for better work prospects. Raju Kamble, a young chemical engineer and oil exploration professional from the Indian Institute of Science, moved to Malaysia to set up the Dr Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) in 1994. The Malaysian-Indian diaspora was numerically dominated by the Dalits, but the political landscape was dominated by nonDalit politicians. The Malaysian-Indians waged a long-drawn battle against Chinese dominance, which formed the core of Pa Ranjith's Rajinikanth blockbuster film, Kabali. Dalit-origin Senator MG Pandithan, then president of the Malaysian Indian Progressive Front Party, along with Raju Kamble organised the First World Dalit Convention in Kuala Lumpur in October, 1998 which was attended by BSP founder Kanshi Ram. Another such convention was held again in Kuala Lumpur in 2011. Mr. Raju Kamble went on to establish Ambedkarite movement chapters in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada. In Dubai and Paris One of the largest gatherings on any Dr. Ambedkar's birth anniversary celebrations can be seen in Dubai where, again, Dalits form a large workforce in the Middle East. Creating international platforms became an effort combining all Dalit groups across the world. The Guru Ravidas Sabha in Vancouver organised the International Dalit Summit, 2003, in Vancouver. Similarly, the Guru Ravidas Sabha, Paris, along with Kamble's Mission held an International Dr Ambedkar Convention in Paris in 2014. The Dalit diaspora started looking further at those suffering like them in the world. Kamble was to host the upcoming

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Tribute to Raju Kamble International Dr Ambedkar Convention at Fukuoka in Japan in September 2018 along with the Burakumin Liberation League (BLL), Japan. The Burakumin community was treated as untouchable and discriminated against by the Japanese society. As Ambedkarites spread around the world, his writings and ideas gained prominence in the world academia. Raju Kamble set up an annual Ambedkar Memorial Lecture at Columbia University, New York, where Dr Ambedkar studied in 1913. This was followed by Ambedkar's centennial of his arrival in Columbia University and the celebration of his 125th birth anniversary at the South Asian Institute, Barnard College, New York.

interaction with the Ambedkar-King Study Circle and Boston Study Group, all in the US. Raju Kamble, who breathed his last on August 16 in Vancouver BC, was an epitome of the Ambedkarite movement — its spread, expanse and the world of possibilities Dr Ambedkar could bring in internationally. Author is Dalit Intellectual & Bureaucrat Reproduced from - https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ comment/man-who-spread-babasaheb-s-messageabroad/640025.html

Ambedkar's Busts Proliferate For the new generation of the Dalit diaspora, it is the Ambedkar international movement at the core. Dr Ambedkar's busts started entering the precincts of his alma mater Columbia University in 2000. This was followed by Brandeis University and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Simon Fraser University, Canada, and Western Sydney University, Australia. Ambedkar's jhaanki (float) started appearing on India's Independence Day celebrations abroad in New York in 2007 and never stopped. In New Zealand, its Prime Minister John Key attended the 125th birth anniversary celebrations in 2016 and a road was named in Auckland two years later. Raju Kamble had a key role in all these events. As the Ambedkarite movement progressed from his centenary in 1991 to the 125th birth anniversary in 2016, Raju Kamble, along with thousands of educated immigrants of the Dalit diaspora spread the word of Ambedkar all over the world. With the likes of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, Ambedkar's presence, his ideas and worldview towards a just society attracted the world. Kamble mentored new organisations such as the Ambedkar Association of North America, the Ambedkar Buddhist Association of Texas and brought in African-American Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sept 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Rajkumar Kamble Mr. Ashish Jiwane Mr. Rajkumar Daulatrao Kamble was born on January 4, 1954 in Cornal Bag Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Later he shifted to his house at Srinagar, Nagpur. A fearless visionary, Raju Kamble, as he was known more popularly, was a towering Ambedkarite who was relentless in his commitment to take forward the caravan of justice for all oppressed castes. Raju Kamble was the glue that bound all international Ambedkarites together. His magnetic personality, erudite and cultured demeanour, selflessness, infallible commitment towards the oppressed class people and last but not the least, tremendous Ambedkarite knowledge electrified Mulnivasi movement. Right from his childhood he was inspired through his father‘s dedicated social work. In 1942 also, his father was donating 10% of his salary towards Phuley-Ambedkarite mission. It is a testimony to Raju Kamble‘s unparalleled contribution to our struggle that he never retreated from the battle to end caste apartheid but rather brought the movement to the globe inspiring NRI Ambedkarites for decades to unite and forge into a formidable force outside India. This also includes the seeds he sowed for promoting Buddhism as a facet of India‘s heritage and creating a global cultural platform for Ambedkarites. A scientist by training, Raju Kamble was a successful Chemical Engineer who did his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from LIT, Nagpur and a postgraduate degree in chemical Engineering from IISc, Bangalore, India. In 1978, after getting a coveted government job at Engineers India Limited (EIL), a public sector company, in Delhi, he knocked the doors of well-paid SC/ST/OBC officers as well as went to bastis to organise poor working class people under a Bahujan movement. His single room in Delhi was used for mounting the first Dalit atrocity exhibition under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. RD Kamble worked with the likes of Kanshi Ram

and Mayawati. He escorted Mayawati during her visits to various remote locations in north India during the formative years of The All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation, or BAMCEF. Mr. L. S. Kain says that at EIL he was instrumental in forming SC/ST employees welfare association. Later he attended many meetings with EIL management together on behalf of EIL SC & ST Employees Welfare Association to resolve problems of SC/ST employees. He also used to attend functions at Buddh Vihar Kalkaji. He was witness to the BAMCEF/BSP formation and its division. His grassroots work for BAMCEF organisation and international experience helped the SC/ST/OBC diaspora start chapters of Dr Ambedkar International Mission and other Ambedkarite groups in over 21 countries. He also registered an organisation called Sajag Prahari and started a magazine through it. He donated One Lakh to start this magazine. His work as a Senior Process Engineer in the field of oil exploration, oil refining and petrochemicals for the last 37 years gave him the opportunity to work across the world – from the U.S.A, Canada, Italy, U.A.E and Malaysia. After years of careful exclusion, several Indian missions abroad have now earmarked April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti, as a day of official importance. Mr. Raju Kamble was defined by his activism and it was through his tireless commitment that he was able to co-found Dr. Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) in April 1994. It was after the first ever in-house celebration of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar‘s birth anniversary there in Kuala Lumpur. Mr. Ponse Sivakumar says, he received Buddha statue from Rajkumar Kamble in 1997 at Kaula Lumpur. This

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Tribute to Raju Kamble shows Raju Kamble‘s tireless work in meeting new people and promoting Buddhism. AIM was created to contribute to the process of overall development of the suffering untouchables/Tribals/Buddhists/OBC‘s, whose population in India is more than 250 million. It also aimed to create a sense of identity and also to regain the lost (due to the 2000 year old caste based exploitation and oppression) human personality. AIM made PAY BACK TO THE SOCIETY as its governing principle of philosophy/operation. It was his belief that Oppressed people of the diaspora had powerful responsibility to payback to society and remain committed to Ambedkar‘s vision wherever they are in the world. This commitment, rooted in love for all Ambedkarite people, helped AIM grow its international impact for the last 24 years. Through AIM he organized several international Dr. Ambedkar Conventions beginning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1998) and (2011), and Paris, France (2014), and an upcoming convention in Japan (2018) for which his work was in full swing. The first ever Mulnivasi International Conference was organized through Ambedkar International mission, in October 1998 in Kuala Lumpur by Mr Rajkumar Kamble and his colleagues. This conference was attended by Kanshi Ram, Ram Vilas Paswan and many more. 3rd World Dr. Ambedkar International convention was organised at Salle De Reception, Espace Galilee, 5-7, Rue Galilee, 93150 Le Blanc Mesnil, France, on 4th and 5 July 2014. It was through his leadership that AIM grew to having chapters all around the world including U.S.A, Canada, England, Germany, France, Japan, Netherland, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Bangladesh, Nepal, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei and India. AIM USA was formed in year 2003. It was registered with State of Texas in 2006. AIM became a 501 (C) (3) organization in U.S.A in 2009.

First time in the history of New York, Ambedkar float was put in the India‘s Independence Day Parade on Sunday, the 19 August 2007 due to efforts taken by Raju Kamble. The Parade was started at 9.00 A.M. This float was almost 45 ft. in length. Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Society, Canada organized ―Dr. Ambedkar Symposium‖ at University of Calgary on Saturday, 24 March 2007 in a grand manner. The symposium was conducted in two sessions. First session was organized at the prestigious Rosza Centre of University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. He was also instrumental in setting up an annual Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture at Columbia University, the alma mater of Dr. Ambedkar, from 2009 in collaboration with South Asia Institute/Barnard College, Columbia University. He also organized in 2013 an International Conference at Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, to commemorate 100 years of arrival of Dr. Ambedkar to Columbia University in 1913, a landmark turning point, in the liberation of untouchables in India. These efforts also included Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lectures through Canada most notably at the University of Calgary. He also worked closely with international Buddhists to host a groundbreaking International Buddhist conference in Nagpur that helped connect international Buddhists from around the world. Finally, his last jewel in his cap was the International Conference at Barnard College, Columbia University to commemorate 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar – a milestone event in 2016 that still continues to impact Ambedkarites today. He chaired a panel on, ―Caste Discrimination among Indian Diaspora in U.S.A/Canada.‖ Presented a paper in this panel on, ―Caste Discrimination History in U.K and setting up Equality Law in U.K.‖ at Brandeis University, Warthem, MA, U.S.A (30th April 2016). At the 125th Ambedkar Jayanti in Columbia University, everyone in the audience was given a chance to take the stage and express

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Tribute to Raju Kamble their appreciation of Ambedkar. In his conferences, everyone listened to everyone — a sharing of SC/ST/OBC empathy and solidarity. ―I give everyone a stage, so they don‘t become a problem in future‖ was his strategic move.

AIM International Convention and literary award distribution was organised in New Delhi at Indian Social Institute, Lodhi Road , New Delhi on 10th and 11th January 2009. On 11th Jan. 2009, a Seminar on Reservation for SC/ST in Private Sector was organised.

Mr. Raju Kamble helped organise global conferences and seminars on the issue of caste and untouchability. Many universities in the West witnessed a growing awareness of Ambedkarite discourse when a singular ideology of Brahminical elements was dominant.

AIM INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION was also organised at B. M. Birla Science Center Auditorium, Hyderabad on Saturday, 12th and Sunday 13th December 2009. This was the 10th AIM International Mission Literary Awards Distribution program. The event also witnessed delegate sessions and cultural evening.

Be it the Ambedkar Chair in Columbia, the installation of statues and portraits of Ambedkar in London, or organising protests at the United Nations against the Indian government for atrocities against Dalits, Mr. Raju Kamble was at the forefront of these efforts. He was critical of some recently monetised SC/ST movements in the diaspora that stressed issues unrelated to the movement. The NGOization of the movement stood in the way of creating a robust critical mass of audience that would eventually join the movement as a sincere cadre. Not only abroad, but he was instrumental in organizing various events in India. He continuously organised various International Convention and started giving Literary awards to promote the Mulnivasi personalities working in Literary field. Dr. Ambedkar International Mission literary Award was organised at New Delhi in 2001. As year 2006 witnessed 50 years of embracing Buddhism by Dr. Ambedkar, Raju Kamble organised International Conference at Nagpur to celebrate 50 years of Dhamma Diksha. Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Literary Awards 2006 was held at Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy Hall, Bhopal on Saturday, 22 December 2007. First literary award prize was of around Rupees 25000/-.

Throughout all of this work Raju Kamble with his exemplifying mentorship connected SC/ST/OBC‘s of all nationalities to cultivate a global network of Ambedkarite movement. His hospitality was legendary and there was never a gathering too far or time too inconvenient for him to create any opportunities for the Ambedkarite community. He was so committed to the life and writings of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar that he kept a supply of Dr. Ambedkar‘s books and would ship them anywhere in the world so that Ambedkar‘s words could travel the world. In addition to AIM, he mentored and lifted up leaders from many other Ambedkarite organizations including but not limited to Nagloka, Ambedkar Association of North America, Ambedkar Buddhist Association of Texas, Ambedkar International Center, Equality Labs, Friends for India‘s Education, International Commission on Dalit Human Rights, Ambedkar King Study Circle, India Solidarity Network, Boston Study Group, and Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK. The strength and diversity in the Global Ambedkarite community is due in no small part to his humility in investing and building a new generation of Dalit leadership around the world. Be it installation of Ambedkar statue in London or organising protests at UN against Dalits atrocities, Rajkumar Kamble led many efforts.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble His love for books and his belief in their power proved to be a blessing for the Dalit cause. He was an unofficial librarian of Ambedkar‘s Writings and Speeches, and gifted books on the leader to everyone he met in the last 35 years. Beyond his public works, Raju Kamble personally supported many SC/ST/OBC students in their studies offering them scholarships and helping them with their test preparation fees so that promising students from across India could pursue education and better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. It was a powerful testament to his legacy that many of these students continued to excel onward in their fields through the significant financial, emotional, and inspirational support he offered. A witness to the post-Ambedkar India, Kamble firmly believed in nurturing the next generation. He regularly visited educational institutes to support and encourage Dalit students by distributing books and organising talks. Many students in the audience, who eventually went abroad, became leaders of Ambedkarite international organisations in countries they settled in. The caste-based identity struggle could not adequately find favourable attention in the history of Indian diaspora. Therefore, when we come to understand the issue of global caste-based struggle, we find the lacuna of past 20 odd years is filled by contemporary Ambedkarite movement, which was spearheaded by Kamble. As we consider the impossible world where we must continue forward in this work without Mr. Rajkumar Kamble, we want to honour and remember how his legacy lives on in all of us. His unfortunate and untimely demise on 16 August 2018 in Vancouver, leaves a huge void in our movement. He breathed his last at 2.10 am. But we should keep him in our thoughts and draw motivation from his life and continue to strive in taking Babasaheb‘s caravan further, as a

fitting tribute to him and his values which he instilled in many of us as a mentor. Mr. Raju Kamble was a General of the international Ambedkarite army, and aligned the cause of Ambedkarism with other social justice movements. As a result, the AfricanAmerican, the Burakumin, the south Asian downtrodden as well as the progressive Indian diaspora were his allies. He had resolved to begin the movement in Africa too. After Babasaheb Ambedkar and N. Sivaraj, Kamble was the formidable name who put the Mulnivasi struggle on the world map. With deep love and gratitude, the Global Ambedkarite community salutes him and his timeless example. He is survived by his wife Nanda and two daughters, Prachi and Shaily. His work is due in no small part to the enormous love, compassion, and faith of these incredible women. His and his family‘s personal sacrifices have ensured that the Ambedkarite movement outside India has blossomed over the years, and in his memory we will continue to grow it until we indeed see the end of Caste Apartheid once and for all. In honor of this tremendous man and his remarkable family, we offer them our deepest respect and gratitude. Wishing them only love and peace as we hold them all in our thoughts in this very difficult time. Mr. Raju Kamble has left behind a carefully crafted international SC/ST/OBC movement. His story needs to be recorded and it needs to be told. His work stands as an inspiration to not only SC/ST/OBC activists but other parallel movements in the world, which desperately seek an international audience. The entire Mulnivasi Bahujan Society was shocked with untimely sad demise of Mr. Raju Kamble. All AIM units in India and Abroad paid tribute to him.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble The long road to securing 10 King Henry‟s Road NW3 London - An Ambedkar Memorial in the West. Ms. Santosh Dass “To me, the Ambedkar House in London has to met Mr R K Gaikwad (Former Commissioner be more than just a place of pilgrimage - it has for Social Welfare, Government of to be conduit for his enduring legacy and place Maharashtra (GOM)) and Mr. Ramesh Katke, for learning and transferring his vision. The Deputy Registrar, Department of house has to be secular and place to be Cooperation, GOM, at the 3rd Ambedkar inspired to tackle injustices related to equality Conference in Paris in July 2014. The and human rights head on whether you’re an conference had been led by and organised by Ambedkarite or not. We need to share Dr Mr Raju Kamble of the Ambedkar Ambedkar!” International Mission and funded and hosted by the Sri Guru Ravidass Gurudwara in Paris In 1921 and 1922, whilst studying at the the Guru Ravidass Sabah UK. Mr Gaikwad London School of Economics (LSE) and Grays and Mr Katke had talked about substantial Inn, Dr B R Ambedkar lodged at 10 King funding available at the GOM for Dr Henrys Road, NW3, London. It was is in this Ambedkar related education and schemes home, Dr Ambedkar enriched his academic and we agreed to discuss ideas when they studies and strengthened his resolve to arrived in London after the conference. challenge the impact of the Caste System and Following discussions with Mr Katke at the British Rule in India. end of August 2014, I put forward a proposal As part of the celebration of the centenary of to Mr Prithviraj Chavan the then Chief Dr Ambedkar‘s birth organised under the Minister, Government of Maharashtra (GOM), auspices of the Federation of Ambedkarite India on 1 September 2014 and applied for a and Buddhist Organisations UK (FABO UK), one-off grant of GBP 4 million to secure this English Heritage recognised in 1991, 10 King property in the interest of Dr Ambedkar‘s Henrys Road, NW3 as a place of great legacy in the UK. . significance and installed a ‗blue plaque‘ on Soon after the request, elections were called the exterior of the property with the words in the State of Maharashtra. Commitment to ―DR BHIMRAO RAMJI AMBEDKAR 1891-1956 buy 10 King Henry Road became an election Indian Crusader for Social Justice lived here issue. The new Chief Minister, Honourable 1921-22‖. The plaque was unveiled on 6 Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, honoured the December 1991 by Mr Roy Hattersley MP, the previous Government‘s commitment to then Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. The purchase the house. This followed intensive then Acting High Commissioner for India, Mr lobbying by me in London and Mr Gaikwad Krishna V. Rajan said ―One of the things he and Mr Katke in India with other supporters [Dr Ambedkar] stood for was strengthening including Padma Mr. Kalpana Saroj. The India's unity despite its great diversity," Mr considerable media interest and support Rajan thanked Mr C Gautam and Mr Chahal, proved really useful. President of FABO UK for all their hard work in securing the Blue Plaque. Everything seemed to slow down on the Ambedkar House after the Government of When on 29 August 2014, FABO UK became Maharashtra (GOM) elections but we aware that 10 King Henrys Road for sale in continued to press the Government. Mr Vinod the market we saw this as a rare opportunity Tawade, Minister for School Education, GOM to secure it for Dr Ambedkar‘s legacy. We attended a conference at Cambridge explored community funding opportunities University. It was on last day of his, on 23 and concluded that it would be near January 2015 – Mr Tawade asked to meet me impossible to come up with over 4 million GB and together we visited 10 King Henry‘s Pounds in a very short period of time. I had Year – 5 ● Issue – 7 ● Sept 2018 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Road. Following that he and I met Mr Ranjan Mathai, Indian High Commissioner and he personally broke the news that GOM had decided to purchase the house and released the funds. The ‗Letter of Intent‘ to the house owner to buy 10 King Henry‘s Road had already been emailed to the High Commission on 22 January 2015 by Mr. Raj Kumar Badole, Minister for Social Justice and Special Assistance, GOM. Mr. Badole then led on the purchase of the house securing the necessary logistical agreement of the Ministry of External Affairs of India. Mr. Bodole and his officials visited London from 23-28 April 2015 to see the house for the first time and hold talks with the India‘s High Commissioner, solicitors and evaluators to finalise the legal formalities. As the initial proposal to buy the house was submitted by me, a delegation met FABO team members Ram Pal Rahi, Vice President, Arun Kumar, General Secretary, Gautam Chakravarty, Joint Secretary on 27 April 2015 at India House. I was on a trip to India at the time. It was Mr. Badole, via the High Commission of India London, who completed the purchase of 10 King Henry‘s Road on the 24 September 2015 with the full support of FABO UK. This was just over a year after my proposal to GOM. On 14 November 2015, the Prime Minster of India, Honourable Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ambedkar House London. It took over eighteen months for announcement in February 2017 the formation of an Advisory Committee for the refurbishment and running of the Ambedkar House. The Committee comprised Mr. Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, High Commissioner of India in London as Chairman; Dr. Surendrakumar Bagde, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, GOM; Mr Sunil Kumar, First Secretary, High Commission of India, London; Ms. Santosh Dass MBE, President,

FABO UK ; Mr C. Gautam, Joint Secretary, FABO UK; Mr Jograj Ahir, President, Mr. Guru Ravidass Sabha, London; and Mr Sukhdev Hira, Social Worker in London. Dr Ambedkar is a major figure in the creation of the world‘s biggest democracy and its Constitution. He‘s a world-class figure when it comes to social activism, social rights and human rights for everyone – including women. We want men and women and children to learn about this extraordinary man and his remarkable achievements. To me, the Ambedkar House in London has to be more than just a place of pilgrimage - it has to be conduit for his enduring legacy and place for learning and transferring his vision. The house has to be secular and place to be inspired to tackle injustices related to equality and human rights head on whether you‘re an Ambedkarite or not. We need to share Dr Ambedkar! Dr Ambedkar left a huge body of writings spanning forty years on a range of subjects, including history, economics, anthropology, politics, philosophy and law. Thanks to the Government of Maharashtra and the donation of books from the Ambedkar Memorial Trust, we have a library full of books. I‘d like to see more visitors make full use of these writings and the photo exhibition. Most of the building works on the interior and exterior was completed at the beginning of the 2018. The house has been refurbished sensitively in keeping with the period of the house in line with the plans submitted by FABO UK. I‘ve have the luxury of choosing the furniture and fittings and deciding what goes where working closely with the Ambedkar House Memorial Advisory Committee. Going forward we want to engage with the local community and schools and encourage more visitors to Ambedkar House. Appointing an enthusiastic administer to help us achieve that is next on our list.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

“We need to become ruling class if we want to form a casteless society” Addressing the First International Dalit Conference at Kuala Lumpur in October 1998, as a Chief Guest in the inaugural session, Manyawar Kanshiramji said,- ― My heartiest congratulations to you all for organizing this international conference which is a big step towards our supreme goal of forming a casteless society in India‖. 1) I will not merely sit quite in anticipation that someday or the other caste will be annihilated automatically; but as long as the ―caste‖ is alive, I will continue to use it in the interest of my society. 2) What is more important? To become MLA/MP or to run the movement of Babasaheb? According to me it was more important to run the movement of Babasaheb than to become MLA/MP. Therefore I chose to run the movement. For a moment a thought came to my mind that to run the movement effectively we should make our people MLAs/MPs. But the important question was which is the party that will give us MLAs/MPs who will also run the movement of Babasahab. After a lot of thought I reached to a conclusion that such MLAs/MPs can be elected only through our own party. 3) I have learned a lot from the people from Maharashtra. I have learned my half lesson for running the Ambedkarite movement from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The other half lesson I have learnt from the Mahars of Maharashtra. I have learnt from Babasahab how to run the movement. And from Mahars of Maharashtra I have learned how not to run the movement. To successfully run any movement it is not only sufficient to know how to run the movement but also it is necessary to know how not to run the movement. If you do not know how not to run the movement then you will never be able to know how to run it. 4) I do not like to talk much even though I have to talk very frequently. I do not like to tell about my work in words but I want my

work and the results emanating from that work to speak for themselves. I want to tell all those fellow activists in the movement who do not agree to my work – ―I may be wrong, but why don‘t you analyze the results that I have achieved, what you have to say about those results?‖ 5) Our intellectuals often think that the solution to all our problems is in Marxism, Socialism and Communism. I strongly believe that in the country where Manuvad is present no other ism can become successful. The reason being no other ism is ready to accept the reality of the caste. 6) Who is capable of giving reservations? Only the ruling class of people can give reservations to others. Even to make your own society capable of reaping the benefits and to protect your interests, you have to become a ruling class. Therefore we have to prepare ourselves in the direction of becoming a ruling class in India. We have to become the rulers ……. It is the solution on most of our problems. Annihilation of Caste Kanshiramji said - In 1936 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was invited by the ―Jat Pat Todak Mandal, Lahore‖ to present his essay on the subject of caste. But the organizers of the conference did not allow Babasaheb to present the essay. Later on Babasaheb published the essay in a form of book titled as ―Annihilation of Caste‖. When I first read this book in 1962-63, I felt that annihilation of caste is certainly possible. But later on when I started thinking deeply and began to study the subject of castes, caste system and behavioural patterns associated with the caste system, my understanding of caste began to change. My study of Caste is not merely based on reading books but it has emanated from my real life experience with the castes. There are millions of people who leave their villages and migrate to metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and other big

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Tribute to Raju Kamble cities. These people do not bring anything else with them; the only thing they bring with them is their caste. They leave behind in their villages their small huts, small plot of land, etc. But they cannot leave behind their caste in the village; the caste invariably accompanies them to the cities where they begin to stay in dirty shanties along the side of railway tracks and nallahs. If the caste is so dear to the people then how can we annihilate the caste? Therefore I have stopped thinking in the direction of annihilation of caste. You have organized this convention as a precursor to march ahead in the direction of forming a casteless society. Even my aim is to form a casteless society. But caste is not something that can be annihilated just by your noble thoughts about annihilation of caste. Annihilation of caste is almost impossible. Then what should we do to form a casteless society? There is a specific formation of castes.

purpose

behind

The castes were not born without any purpose. There is a specific purpose and selfish interests hidden behind the formation of castes. As long as this specific purpose and the selfish interests exist, the caste cannot be annihilated. You will never find Brahmins and other Savarna caste people organizing such conventions for ―reformation of casteless society‖. This is because the castes were formed by these same people with an ill intention to secure their self-interests. Formation of castes has brought benefits to minuscule few savarna castes but on other hand the generations after generations of the 85 % Bahujan Samaj have been at the receiving end of this oppressive caste system. The Bahujan Samaj has been subjugated to the beastly oppression and inhuman humiliations. If the caste system has been beneficial to the Savarna Caste people then why would they vouch for its annihilation? The debates, convention and conferences of these kinds can be organized only by we people who have been victims of the

oppressive caste system. The beneficiaries of the caste system would never be interested in the annihilation of caste. On the contrary they would work towards strengthening the caste system so that they continue to reap the benefits arising from caste system for the ages to come. The audience sitting in this conference hall may not have been direct victims of the caste system but we have certainly been born among the people or society that has been victim of the caste system and therefore we all need to necessarily think towards formation of casteless society. But when we talk of annihilation of caste then first of all we need to accept the existence of caste system. We can never annihilate the caste by ignoring it‘s presence or by undermining its relevance in the contemporary India. It may be true that lot of us still nurture a feeling of formation of a casteless society but simultaneously it is also true that the urge for forming a casteless society is dwindling by passage of time. So what do we do till the time the caste is not annihilated completely? I believe that until the time we are not able to form a casteless society, we need to use caste to annihilate caste. If Bramhins can use caste for the benefit of their society then why cannot we use it for the benefit of our society? Caste - Two edged sword Caste is like a sword with two edges which can attack from both sides. If you use it from one side it cuts enemy from that side; if you use it from other side it cuts from the other side. Therefore I have begun to use this two edged sword of caste system in such a way that it benefits the people of Bahujan Samaj and it takes away the benefits that the savarna castes have been reaping from caste system. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has given the political and social rights to the Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes based on the castes. He has used the very basis of caste to secure the political rights of separate electorate from the Britishers. But he had to forgo those hard earned rights on the

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Tribute to Raju Kamble adamant insistence of Mohandas Gandhi who used his cheap tactics of fast unto death to blackmail Babasahab. Separate Electorate Many people ask me as to why I do not start an agitation for separate electorate just like what Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did. So far I have never wasted even single minute on the issue of separate electorate. If the right to separate electorate could not be obtained during the time when Britishers were in rule in India then how can I secure those rights when the Manuwadis are the rulers of India? Today this is totally impossible. Specialist on Caste Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar taught the SC/STs how to make use of the weapon of caste. Therefore he was able to secure many constitutional rights for our people from the Britishers. But after the departure of Britishers there are just three people who succeeded in using the weapon of caste. The first person was Jawaharlal Nehru, second was Indira Gandhi and third person is Kanshiram. Nehru applied the weapon of caste like a skilled warrior and succeeded in it. Nehru was an expert in the art of using castes for maintaining the Manuvadi dominance and Bramhnical hegemony. After him Indira Gandhi became expert in exploiting the weapon of caste so that the Bramhnical Social Order is continuously benefited. But today if you ask any Congressman in Delhi whether he receives any benefits from the caste, he will answer in negative. He will say that he does not know how to get benefited from the caste and that only Kanshiram knows how to make use of caste for the benefits of his people (Laughter). If you can stop Bramhins from using caste for their own selfish interests then he will think twice before he uses the sword of caste against us. I have learned how to make use of this two wedged sword of caste in the interest of my society. Castes which today to us seem to be a problem, can become, if used

tactically, a solution to our problems. The thing which is today our problem can become an opportunity for us provided we learn to make appropriate use of it for our own benefits. Indian Refugees We must always be ready to learn a lesson from history. We have to accelerate our work of taking ahead the Ambedkarite movement. In 1932 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar asked for separate electorate for Dalit/Adivasis. But in 1942 he raised a demand for separate settlements because he wanted that the Dalits should not be dependent on the Hindus in any way. They should live their lives with full independence. But what is the real picture in India today? Today there is 45 lakh hectare tilled agricultural land. Our people toil in the fields and produce crops. But in the field they toil they do not have any property rights. They become victims of exploitation and injustice of Manuvadi landlords. To escape from the exploitation and oppression of the land lords our people leave villages and migrate to big cities in search of respectable life. In the process they end up living in the dirty shanties, under the bridges, alongside of railway tracks, on bank of nallahs and at many other dirty places where they are forced to live a life which is worse than that of animals. Such Distress Migration has resulted into nearly 10 Cr people leaving behind their villages, their tiny plots of land, their small huts and their meager belongings, to leave in cities. Ten years ago the number of people who stayed in cities was 5 Crores. Today this number has risen to 16 Cr. 10 Cr people in big cities stay in dirty slums, on roads and at other filthy places. I call these people ―Indian Refugees‖. Who will address the problems faced by these people? The Rural development Ministry and Urban development Ministry of Government of India should be addressing the multitude of problems faced by the Indian refugees. Barring these 10 Cr Indian refugees, the Government of India makes some plan or the other for the development of the other people.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble But no one looks into the problems faced by these Indian refugees. No budgetary provisions are made in our annual budget for these 10 Cr people. There is no separate department or ministry for such a large number of people. The Indian government has formed separate department and ministry for the Pakistani refugees who came to India in 1947, the refugees from Kashmir and refugees from other places. Government of India spends Crores of rupees on the welfare of such foreign refugees; but no government ever has paid attention to the problems of these 10 Cr Indian refugees. Since these 10 Cr Indian refugees have left behind their villages, land and other belongings, bringing only their castes to the cities, my work has become very easy. These 10 Cr refugees are considered as a big problem by the Manuvadi rulers. But for us these Indian refugees are a big strength, they are the vehicles of our empowerment. The very ―caste‖ on the basis of which Crores of such people have been living a degraded, humiliated life and thrown in the gallows of backwardness, we will use the same ―caste‖ to free these Crores of people from the injustice and exploitation meted out to them. After the forthcoming state assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, we will carry out an ―Indian refugees‘ agitation‖. I will not merely sit quite in anticipation that someday or the other caste will be annihilated automatically; but as long as the ―caste‖ is alive, I will continue to use it in the interest of my society. Let me now tell you about my experience of using the caste in the interest of our society. Today by organizing the people who have been the victims of the draconian caste system (Bahujan Samaj), I am training these people to make use of caste for the betterment of our society. I am inspiring them to carry forward the mission of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. I am preparing and enabling my society which comprises of the victims of the ―caste‖ to make use of this double edged sword of ―caste‖ in their own

interests. Today every Manuvadi party and their leaders are afraid of my use of ―caste‖. All these Manuvadi parties are trying to stop this ―Kanshiram magic‖. First Rajiv Gandhi tried then V.P. Singh, Narsimharao, etc. tried to stop me. Today the similar efforts are being made by the BJP. But all these people are playing their own games and I am playing my own (claps). Bahujan Samaj Party has recognition throughout India.

get

The Manuvadis beneficiaries of the ‗caste‘ have formed ‗caste‘ so that they can perpetually rule over Bahujan Samaj. They have been protectors and saviours of ‗caste system‘ to ensure their perpetual monopolistic rule over Bahujan Samaj. The creation of any system is more difficult than it‘s retention. Once you build a system, keeping the system up and running is not very difficult task. If you want to annihilate ‗caste‘ then you have to prevent the Manuvadis from reaping the benefits of ‗caste‘. As long as the Manuvadi beneficiaries of ‗caste‘ are left scotfree to use the ‗caste‘ to their own benefits, the Bahujan victims of ‗caste‘ will continue to suffer from ‗caste‘. Therefore you will have to learn to use ‗caste‘ in the interest of the Bahujan Samaj and you will have to prevent the Manuvadis from reaping the benefits of ‗caste‘. You should not ignore the presence of the ‗caste‘ in the Indian society; whereas you should accept the existence of ‗caste‘ as a naked truth. BSP has emerged has 4th largest national party in India by successfully making use of ‗caste‘. In India there are about 70 recognized political parties. We are ahead of 66 of these political parties. Today only Congress, BJP and CPI (M) are ahead of us. When we formed BSP in the year 1984, the other parties used to say that BSP would remain as a regional party within UP. But today BSP has secured recognition not only in UP but also in MP, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. Seeing this success of BSP all the savarna Hindu castes (Manuvadi samaj) has become very sad. And even I am

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Tribute to Raju Kamble also not happy. They are sad because BSP is speedily gaining strong ground in other states; whereas I am sad because BSP has not been able to become a recognized party in all the states of India. I want BSP to become recognized party in all the states, and even in Maharashtra. Why is Bahujan Samaj independent India?

dependent

In the year 1997, the manuvadi ruling class in India decided to celebrate the golden jubilee of India‘s independence. There may be many reasons for them to celebrate; but the 85 % Bahujan Samaj which continues to remain dependent on others even after 50 years of independence, has no reason to celebrate. Even today our people in the villages do not possess their own land; they work as farm labours in the land of manuvadi landlords. 10 Cr people have migrated to cities because in the villages they were dependent on others. When we established Bahujan Samaj Party, the Dalits, backwards were dependent on manuvadi parties for tickets. They used to run behind these parties for getting tickets. The political parties, if not anything else are the tickets printing machines. We thought as to why we should not possess one such machine and therefore we established Bahujan Samaj Party on 14th April, 1984. Not just a platform ticket In March 1985 we distributed 237 tickets for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. That time I told all our candidates that our tickets are merely platform tickets and that you will not be able to reach Lucknow with help of these tickets. That time there wasn‘t any quarrel for getting our ticket. But today our tickets are in great demand. Today in UP every BSP candidate secures more than 1 lac of votes. Today our tickets are no more just the platform tickets but one can reach not just Lucknow but also Delhi with the help of our tickets. Today why are our tickets in so much demand?

Congress made BSP popular. On basis of 1984 Loksabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Congress had won 410 assembly seats out of 425. But in the 1985 assembly elections they won just 265 seats. Congress had to lose 145 seats because of the presence of BSP. Congress got frustrated because of these losses and they carried out a campaign calling BSP a ―party of Chamars‖. This campaign indeed helped BSP to consolidate our ground in UP. Our party became very popular among the Chamar community of Uttar Pradesh. In 1985 election we secured merely 2 % votes. Our vote percentage went on rising in every subsequent election. In 1989 it went on to 9%, in 1991 – 11%, in 1993 – 20. 6 %. In 1996 Loksabha elections we got 29% votes. We achieved this success not by ignoring the ‗caste‘ but by accepting the existence of ‗caste‘ and by utilizing it in our interests. Today Congress is unable to get benefited by making use of ‗caste‘ whereas we have increased our strength manifold by appropriately using the caste reality; we will continue to strengthen ourselves in future to come. Lesson from Maharashtra Today here many people from Maharashtra are present. I have learned a lot from the people from Maharashtra. I have learned a half lesson for running the Ambedkari movement from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The other half lesson I have learnt from the Mahars of Maharashtra. I have learnt from Babasahab how to run the movement. And from Mahars of Maharashtra I have learned how not to run the movement. To successfully run any movement it is not only sufficient to know how to run the movement but also it is necessary to know how not to run the movement. If you do not know how not to run the movement then you will never be able to know how to run it. Mahars have not been able to appropriately use the double edged sword of caste. They say that now they have become Buddhists and they are no more Mahars. But simultaneously they kept on fighting for the

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Tribute to Raju Kamble benefits of reservations in capacity of being Mahars. They began to demand reservations for the people who have become Buddhists. . Mahars carried the ‗caste‘- a bad breath of Hinduism to Buddhism. ‗Caste‘ is that bad breath of Hinduism which has polluted the whole world. 100 years of Reservations On 26th July 1902, the Maharaja of Kolhapur- Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj implemented reservations in jobs in his kingdom for the Dalits and backwards. On 26th July 2002 we will complete 100 years of reservations. 100 years of reservations is sufficient. Now I consider it my responsibility to empower my people so that they will not ask for reservations but they will become capable to give reservations to others. It is easy to understand and say this thing but it is not easy to make it happen. Who is capable of giving reservations? Only the ruling class of people can give reservations to others. Even to enable your own society capable of reaping the benefits and to protect their interests, you have to become a ruling class. Therefore we have to prepare ourselves in the direction of becoming a ruling class in India. We have to become the rulers ……. It is the solution on most of our problems. But the question is how the victims of the ‗caste‘ can become the rulers? Should we become MLA/MP or should we run the Ambedkar movement? I have neither seen Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar nor have I heard him when he was alive. I have learned Ambedkarism from the leaders of Maharashtra. Mr. Bajirao Kamble who was wearing a blue cap and sitting in front of me was one of those people who gave me lessons in Ambedkarism. When the Ambedkarite leaders from Maharashtra began to crawl behind the Congress for tickets, it resulted into many skirmishes between me and them. They were saying that if they stick to Ambedkarism then they cannot become MLAs and MPs. I asked them what is more important. To become MLA/MP or to run the

movement of Babasaheb? According to me it was more important to run the movement of Babasaheb than to become MLA/MP. Therefore I chose to run the movement. For a moment a thought came to my mind that to run the movement effectively we should make our people MLAs/MPs. But the important question was which is the party that will give us MLAs/MPs who will also run the movement of Babasahab. After a lot of thought I reached to a conclusion that such MLAs/MPs can be elected only through our own party. And therefore I left Mumbai and came back to Lucknow. Which all castes supported Babasaheb? I have studied deeply the ‗caste‘ as reality in the Indian society. I studied those castes which had supported Babasaheb. Babasaheb‘s movement was supported by the Mahars of Maharashtra, Pariahs of Tamilnadu, Malas of Andhra Pradesh, Jatavs of Uttar Pradesh and Chandals (Namo shudras) of Bengal. But when Babasaheb himself could not win the election in 1952 and 1954, his supporters began to think if Babasaheb himself cannot win then how can we win and become MLAs/MPs? After that I even delved into electoral victories of Babasaheb. In 1946 Babasaheb had won from the Jaisor and Khulna seats from Bengal. How did this happen? In both these constituencies the population of Chandals was 52%. They thought rather than sending anyone else, it is better to send Babasaheb to the constituent assembly. Babasaheb was able to win because the Chandals has majority votes with them. Mahar, Pariah, Jatav, Mala, etc. castes did not have numbers as large as the Chandals and therefore these castes did not win elections and thus they began to leave the movement of Babasaheb. The fight of Babasaheb was for all the castes that were victims of the ‗caste system‘. But were only Mahars, Pariahs, Malas, Jatavs, etc. Castes, the victims of the ‗caste‘? Were only these castes the victims of the Manuvadi social order? The answer is No. These castes

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Tribute to Raju Kamble were not the only victims of ‗caste‘. 6000 castes are the victims of ‗caste‘. According to Mandal Commission report, there are nearly 1500 castes among the SCs, 1000 castes among the STs and 3743 castes among the OBCs. The number of such castes is more than 6000. These are all such castes which have been victims of the Manuvadi social order. Some of them have been victimized less and some have been victimized more. But the truth is that all these 6000 castes have been victims of the manuvadi social order. Should not all these castes organize together to fight against the exploitative ‗caste system‘? Among these castes some castes are bigger and some are smaller in terms of population. If all these castes remain divided among themselves then they will remain as minorities. But if these castes organize among themselves by creating a feeling of fraternity, they can become a majority – Bahujans. These people are 85 % of country‘s population and thus they constitute of a very big strength in the country. Creation of fraternity among the Bahujans castes is a necessity of time When Bahujan Samaj Party was established in 1984, at that time Bahujan Samaj had not been formed in the country. Bahujan Samaj Party can become successful only if the Bahujan Samaj is formed. Therefore we have begun to organize the 6000 Bahujan Castes by creating a fraternity among them in order to form a Bahujan Samaj. In last 10 years we have been able to connect together just 600 castes which forms just 10 % of the total number of castes that we want to reach to. Just by bringing together 600 castes, our party has become 4th largest party in India. If we add 400 more castes then the number of castes that we have brought together will go up to 1000. And if we succeed in adding 400 more castes in our fold then we will become the number one party in the country. I do not like to talk much even though I am compelled to talk very frequently. I do not like to tell in my words but I want my work and

the results emanating from that work to speak for themselves. I want to tell all those fellow activists in the movement who do not agree to my work – ―I may be wrong, but why don‘t you analyze the results that I have achieved, what you have to say about those results?‖ Bringing together so many castes on one platform was a mammoth task in itself. Lot of people have been engaged in making severe criticism of those people who have been instrumental in bringing the 600 castes together. Many have advised not to undertake such an impossible task in hand. But when the people who started the noble work of bringing together the divided castes, no force in the world was able to stop them from doing so. The people that carried out the task of joining together people from different castes; did their work with all the sincerity and dedication at their command. If we have succeeded in bringing together 600 castes then why won‘t we succeed in bringing many more castes together? We will certainly succeed. By bringing together all the victim castes, we can capture the political power and become the ruling class. Capturing the Master Key Babasaheb has said that ―political power is the master key using which you can open all the doors of your progress and self-respect‖. Our friends from Maharashtra had been fighting since 25 years for changing the name of Marathwada University. They had to do this because they do not have the political master key. In 1989 Rajiv Gandhi came to Lucknow and he laid down the foundation stone for the Dr. Ambedkar University. On one hand the Congress party is refusing to change the name of Marathwada University in Maharashtra and on the other hand the same Congress party is laying down a stone for the Dr. Ambedkar University at Lucknow. Why this has happened? The people of Uttar Pradesh have never raised a demand for Dr. Ambedkar University at Lucknow. This was the demand of people from Maharashtra. Then why is this demand of people from

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Maharashtra being fulfilled in Uttar Pradesh? Why was congress so eager to start a Dr. Ambedkar University at Lucknow? This had happened because the people of Uttar Pradesh were extending their hand towards the political master key. Therefore the ruling class wanted to hide the master key in guise of the university. By capturing the power in UP we have formed not just one university but many universities for which the people from Maharashtra have been fighting for long time. In 1994 we laid a foundation stone for Shahu Maharaj University at Kanpur. In 1996 we formed Mahatma Phule University and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University. Apart from this we acquired 200 acre land at Noida for Gautam Buddha University. We created 17 new districts to fasten the process of development and more importantly to honour our heroes by giving their names to these newly formed districts. It becomes very clear from this that you can use ‗caste‘ to acquire political master key and make use of this master key to secure a life of self-respect and take them along the path of progress. Our society has to shed away their “Dalit mentality” I have so far talked at length about the ‗caste‘. Now I want to talk something about the Dalits. I rarely go out of India. My party men and other friends were thinking that I may not go to attend the convention at Kuala Lumpur because I am so much overburdened by the vows of Dalits in India. But I get more upset by looking at the Dalit mentality of the people. Dalit mentality is the biggest weakness of the dalits. Dalit mentality has become a sort of a feeling of destitution. A person with a mentality of a beggar can never become a ruler. Similarly without shedding away the Dalit mentality, no society can become a ruling class. The hands which are used to ask/beg have to strive to become the ones which will give, i.e. they have to become a ruling race. If we cannot become the ruling class then there cannot be any other shorter and easier solution to all our problems. So

how you can become ruling class without shedding away your Dalit mentality? Therefore you have to shed away your Dalit mentality. If you become rulers then you yourselves can find the solution to all your problems. Manuvad can destroy all other isms. Our intellectuals often think that the solution to all our problems is in Marxism, Socialism and Communism. I strongly believe that in the country where Manuvad is present no other ism can become successful. The reason being no other ism is ready to accept the reality of the caste. It is the responsibility of these intellectuals as well as mine that we evolve our own ism keeping in mind the presence of Manuvad and accepting the ‗caste‘ as reality of Indian society. Manuvadis often talk about the problem of unemployment in India. They are worried about the unemployment of 1 Cr unemployed youth belonging to the ―upper‖ castes. But these people have no worries about the multiple problems faced by the 10 Cr Indian refugees who are illiterate and unskilled. No party is worried about the plight of these 10 Cr people. But these 10 Cr people are our people. Therefore only our party is worried about the plight of these 10 Cr people. Only our party can find a solution on the problems of these people. We can easily solve the problems of the Bahujan Samaj by becoming the ruling class. We have become 4th largest party in India by bringing together 600 castes and by creating a fraternity among these castes. By reaching to 1000 castes and by bringing them in our fold we can become the ruling class in this country. I have a strong belief that in next 3 years we will become the rulers and the political master key will be in our hands. „Kanshiram Magic‟ I do not support the idea of imposing my thoughts on others. I am just narrating my

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Tribute to Raju Kamble experience to you. It is up to you whether you want to take advantage of it or not. By becoming rulers you can march ahead effectively towards formation of a casteless society. I can tell this one solution to all your problems. Why would the beneficiaries of ‗caste‘ want to destroy it? The people who are victims of ‗caste‘ and who have suffered because of it will have to take this task of destroying the ‗caste‘. The caste system can be destroyed only by the rulers themselves provided they have a will to do. You will think that I am talking about some impossible and unachievable things. But in my life I have always taken seemingly

impossible tasks in my hand and have achieved a success in those tasks. This is what is called ‗Kanshiram magic‘. Today this ‗Kanshiram magic‘ has begun to occupy a national form. Therefore my only message to you all is that you should march ahead in the direction of formation of casteless society by means of right thinking. At the end I would like to tell you that you can form a casteless society by capturing the political master key because only the ruling class can form a new social order. Reproduced from http://www.ambedkar.org/News/rulingclass.html

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Tributes and Condolence Meetings held On Social Media Facebook and Twitter FACEBOOK News Released on Social Media Release (AIM) With a heavy heart we announce the departure of our Founder Mr. Raju Kamble. Rajkumar Daulatrao Kamble was born on January 4, 1954 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. A fearless visionary, Raju Kamble, as he was known more popularly, was a towering Ambedkarite who was relentless in his commitment to take forward the caravan of justice for all oppressed castes. Raju Kamble was the glue that bound all international Ambedkarites together. His magnetic personality, erudite and cultured demeanor, selflessness, infallible commitment towards the Dalit cause and last but not the least, tremendous Ambedkarite knowledge electrified our movement. It is a testimony to Raju Kamble‘s unparalleled contribution to our struggle that he never retreated from the battle to end caste apartheid but rather brought the movement to the globe inspiring NRI Ambedkarites for decades to unite and forge into a formidable force outside India. This also includes the seeds he sowed for promoting Buddhism as a facet of India‘s heritage and creating a global cultural platform for Ambedkarites. A scientist by training, Raju Kamble was a successful Chemical Engineer who did his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from LIT, Nagpur and a postgraduate degree in chemical Engineering from IISc, Bangalore, INDIA. His work as a Senior Process Engineer in the field of oil exploration, oil refining and petrochemicals for the last 37 years gave him the opportunity to work across the world – from the U.S.A, Canada, Italy, U.A.E and Malaysia.

Raju Kamble was defined by his activism and it was through his tireless commitment that he was able to co-found Dr. Ambedkar International Mission (AIM). It was his belief that Dalits of the diaspora had powerful responsibility to payback to society and remain committed to Ambedkar‘s vision wherever they are in the world. This commitment, rooted in love for all Ambedkarite people, helped AIM grow its international impact for the last 24 years. Through AIM he organized several international Dr. Ambedkar conventions beginning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1998) and (2011), and Paris, France (2014), and an upcoming convention in Japan (2018) for which his work was in full swing. It was through his leadership that AIM grew to having chapters all around the world including US, Canada, Japan, Middle East, and across Europe. He was also instrumental in setting up an annual Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture at Columbia University, the alma mater of Dr. Ambedkar, from 2009 in collaboration with South Asia Institute/Barnard College, Columbia University. He also organized in 2013 an International Conference at Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, to commemorate 100 years of arrival of Dr. Ambedkar to Columbia University in 1913, a landmark turning point, in the liberation of untouchables in India. These efforts also included Dr. Ambedkar memorial lectures through Canada most notably at the University of Calgary. He also worked closely with international Buddhists to host a groundbreaking International Buddhist Conference in Nagpur that helped connect international Buddhists from around the world. Finally, his last jewel in his cap was the International Conference at Barnard College, Columbia University to

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Tribute to Raju Kamble commemorate 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar – a milestone event in 2016 that still continues to impact Ambedkarites today. Throughout all of this work Raju Kamble with his exemplifying mentorship connected Dalits of all nationalities to cultivate a global network of Ambedkarite movement. His hospitality was legendary and there was never a gathering too far or time too inconvenient for him to create any opportunities for the Ambedkarite community. He was so committed to the life and writings of B. R. Ambedkar that he kept a supply of his books and would ship them anywhere in the world so that Ambedkar‘s words could travel the world. In addition to AIM, he mentored and lifted up leaders from many other Ambedkarite organizations including but not limited to Nagloka, Ambedkar Association of North America, Ambedkar Buddhist Association of Texas, Ambedkar International Center, Equality Labs, Friends for India‘s Education, International Commission on Dalit Human Rights, Ambedkar King Study Circle, India Solidarity Network, Boston Study Group, and Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK. The strength and diversity in the Global Ambedkarite community is due in no small part to his humility in investing and building a new generation of Dalit leadership around the world. Beyond his public works, Raju Kamble personally supported many Dalit students in their studies offering them scholarships and helping them with their test preparation fees

so that promising students from across India could pursue education and better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. It was a powerful testament to his legacy that many of these students continued to excel onward in their fields through the significant financial, emotional, and inspirational support he offered. As we consider the impossible world where we must continue forward in this work without Rajkumar Kamble, we want to honor and remember how his legacy lives on in all of us. His unfortunate and untimely demise leaves a huge void in our movement. But we should keep him in our thoughts and draw motivation from his life and continue to strive in taking Babasaheb‘s caravan further, as a fitting tribute to him and his values which he instilled in many of us as a mentor. With deep love and gratitude, the Global Ambedkarite community salutes him and his timeless example. He is survived by his wife Nanda and two daughters, Prachi and Shaily. His work is due in no small part to the enormous love, compassion, and faith of these incredible women. His and his family‘s personal sacrifices have ensured that the Ambedkarite movement outside India has blossomed over the years, and in his memory we will continue to grow it until we indeed see the end of Caste Apartheid once and for all. In honor of this tremendous man and his remarkable family, we offer them our deepest respect and gratitude. Wishing them only love and peace as we hold them all in our thoughts in this very difficult time.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

Vidya Bhushan Rawat Deeply shocking news coming from Canada. Eminent Ambedkarite respected Raju Kamble ji passed away in Vancouver yesterday. He was the force in organising Ambedkarites in the American and Canadian diaspora. One of the key members who organised various international conferences of Ambedkarites in Malaysia and in France. At the moment, he was engaged in organising one such international conference in Japan in late September. Two years ago I met him with dear friend Anil Yadavrao Gaikwad at Deekshabhumi, Nagpur. He was sitting with Ambedkar Missions bookstall. It was massive gathering of people, always inspiring and many Ambedkarites actually make it a point to be Chandu Jagtap आॊफेडकयी चऱलऱीरा आॊतययाष्ट्रीम स्तयालय प्रचाय आणण

प्रवाय कयण्माचे भोठ काभ कयणाये कॉनडा स्स्थत आद. याजु काॊफऱे माॊचे ननधन शे वभाजावाठी खुऩच दुःु खद आशे .

गेल्मा १५ लऴाांऩावन लैमस्ततक भाझे वॊफध खऩ ू ु च

स्जव्शाळ्माचे शोते. आद. शें भत दादा आणण आद. उयकुडे वयाॊभऱ ु े

आम्शी

जास्त

जलऱ

आरो.

रॊडन

भध्मे

at Deekshabhumi during Dhammachakra Pravartan day when Baba Saheb in 1956 led over half a million people into Buddhism. It was hot and we all were sweating and in that heat too Raju Kamble ji was sitting at the bookstall. He gave me one copy of the official version of Annihilation of caste published by government of India. A man with admirable energy and excitement, the death of respected Raju Kamble is a big blow to Ambedkarite movement internationally. Our deep respect and condolences on his demise. Hope the family and friends have strength to face this unbearable loss. We hope the people in the mission will carry forward the flag of Ambedkar mission which Raju Kambleji was so dedicated to.

खय तय ऩयला झारेल्मा वभाजयत्न ऩयु स्काय वोशळ्मात आद. याजु वयाॊना वन्भाननत कयणाय शोतो. ऩण त्माॊना अॉडमभट केल्माभऱ ु े ते मेलु ळकरे नाशीत.

ऩढ ु ीर भहशन्मात जऩान भध्मे शोणाऱ्मा ऩरयऴदे त बेट अऩेक्षषत शोती ऩण ननमती रा ते भान्म नव्शते. … खुऩच दुःु खद.

आॊतययाष्ट्रीम ऩरयऴद अवेर कक ऩॉरयव भधरी ऩरयऴद.,

बालऩण ु ा आदयाॊजरी.

वहशत अनेकाॊना आॊतययाष्ट्रीम स्तयाॊलय ओऱख ननभााण

चॊद ु जगताऩ.

अभेरयकेत लाॉस्गगटन भधरी ऩरयऴद अवेर.......भाझ्मा करून हदरी.

Vijay Hershey Raju was a Great Inspirer of Dr AMBEDKAR philosophy and true Ambedkarite who took BabaSabeb to international scene in last

Deelip Mhaske Our global mentor and true Ambedkrite Shri Raju Kambleji passed away today. He has

three decades starting in 1993 at Kuala Lumpur. We were associated with him in Launching Dr Ambedkar International Mission. He took tireless efforts to take the mission to international scene.

connected with Ambedkrites all over the world. His unfinished worked to bring Ambedkrites together and fight for justice we will continue !

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

आॊतयाष्ट्रीम अधधलेळन आमोस्जत कयण्मात आरे शोते.

Maharashtra Times

ऩयॊ तु त्माऩल ू ीच त्माॊचे ननधन झारे. डॉ. काॊफऱे माॊनी

राजू काांबले याांचे कॅनडात ननधन

आॊफेडकयलादी

Maharashtra Times |Aug 17, 2018

भऱ ू चे नागऩयु ातीर श्रीनगय मेथीर यहशलावी आणण डॉ.

आॊफेडकय इॊटयनॅळनर मभळनचे अध्मष याजू काॊफऱे माॊचे

कॅनडात ननधन झारे. ते ६५ लऴाांचे शोते. त्माॊच्मा

ऩगचात दोन भर गेल्मा २० लऴाांऩावन ते ु ी अवन ू ू त्माॊच्मा वभलेत कॅनडात लास्तव्माव शोते. दे ळवलदे ळात कयण्मात

आरेल्मा

वलवलध

आॊफेडकयी

अधधलेळनाॊच्मा आमोजनात त्माॊचा वकिम वशबाग शोता. २२

आणण

२३

वप्टें फय

२०१८

योजी

जगबय

प्रचाय

केरा.

आॊफेडकयलादी

वलचाय

भरेमळमातीर अनेक वलद्माऩीठाॊभध्मे तवेच अभेरयका ल

भ.टा. प्रनतननधी, नागऩयू

आमोस्जत

वलचायाॊचा

जऩानभध्मे

Nikhat Fatima

Prominent Ambedkarite Raju Kamble no more Rajkumar Daulatrao Kamble, popularly known as Raju Kamble, the founder of Ambedkar International Mission breathed his last on 16th August 2018 in Canada at the age of 64. Raju Kamble, born on January 4, 1954, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, was a fearless visionary and a towering Ambedkarite who fought for justice for all oppressed castes. He believed that Dalits of the diaspora had a powerful responsibility to payback to society and remain committed to Ambedkar‘s vision wherever they are in the world. This commitment, rooted in love for all Ambedkarite people, helped Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) grow and create an international impact for the last 24 years. And today AIM has its chapters in US, Canada, Japan, Middle East, and across Europe. Through AIM he also organized

मयु ोऩ

कॅनडा

वलद्माऩीठात

मळकवलण्माचे काभ त्माॊच्माच प्रमत्नाॊभऱ झारे. ु े वरू ु

उच्चवलद्मावलबवू ऴत अमबमॊता अवरेरे डॉ. काॊफऱे गयीफ वलद्मार्थमाांना भदत कयण्मावाठी वदै ल ऩढ ु ाकाय घेत. भरेमळमात ऩहशरे दमरत अधधलेळन बयवलण्मात त्माॊचे भोठे मोगदान शोते.

Reproduced from https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/ maharashtra/nagpur-vidarbha-news/nagpur/dr-rajukamble-dies-in-canada/articleshow/65430895.cms

several international ‗Dr. Ambedkar conventions‘ in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Paris, France. He was currently involved in organising the upcoming convention in Japan this year. Beyond his public works, Raju Kamble supported many Dalit students in their studies offering them scholarships and helping them with their test preparation fees so that promising students from across India could pursue education and better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. The Global Ambedkarite community on the occasion of his death expressed their gratitude, love and respect for his exemplary work. Reproduced from http://twocircles.net/2018aug17/425407.ht ml

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Tribute to Raju Kamble ICDR International – D. B. Sagar Tributes to Raju Kamble, Ambedkar Int'l Mission (AIM)

Founder

We are full of sadness that Raju Kamble passed away. Many of you knew him through e-mails for a very long time and always admired his selfless work throughout his life, he dedicated his whole life to Ambedkarite movement in the way Baba Sahib would have

wanted it. Many of you met him during Dalit Global Conference in Washington, DC in March 2015 that took place with his force behind the organizers; he was such a warm and inspiring person with a pleasant smile on his face that left a permanent impression on my mind. Reproduced from https://www.facebook.com/events/231331327530531 /

Dipali Tayade अम्बेडकर अांतरााष्ट्रीय ममऴन (AIM) के सांस्थाऩक राजू काांबऱे सर का ळैंकुळर कनाडा में ननधन

नई हदल्री। शभ-आऩ जैवी फेशद वाभान्म ऩष्ट्ृ ठबमू भ वे

आने लारे याजू काम्फरे जी ने ―मळक्षषत शो, वॊघऴा कयो, वॊगहठत शो‖ के नाये को आत्भवात कय फशुत वॊघऴा कय प्रोपेळनर औय वोळर राइप भें फर ु हॊ दमों को छुआ। ले

आजीलन फाफावाशे फ अम्फेडकय के वलचायों को याष्ट्रीमअॊतयााष्ट्रीम स्तय ऩय ऩशुॊचाने के वाथ-वाथ अरग-अरग दे ळों भें पैरे दमरतों की मनु नटी के मरए उन्शोंने

याजू बाऊ अऩनी जेफ वे एस्तटवलस्भ भें ऩैवे रगाते थे। फाफावाशे फ की ककताफों को ऩढ़ने औय ऩढ़ाने के मरए ले

रगाताय रोगों को ककताफें उऩरब्ध कयाते यशे । ले शभेळा

स्टूडेंट्व को वलदे ळ जाकय ऩढ़ने औय खद ु को वषभ फनाकय वभाज के मरए कामा कयने के मरए प्रोत्वाहशत कयते थे। उनका ऩयू ा जीलन वभाज के मरए वभवऩात

यशा। ले आगे कई भशत्लऩण ू ा वोळर स्टे ऩ रेने के मरए कामा कय यशे थे ऩय अचानक इव घटना ने वबी को स्तब्ध कय हदमा शै ।

आजीलन प्रमाव ककमा। फशुत ऊॊचाईमों ऩय ऩशुॉचने ऩय बी ले कबी अऩने वभाज वे नशीॊ कटे फस्ल्क वभाज के

याजू काम्फरे जी का जीलन उदाशयण औय प्रेयणा शै शभ

एस्तटवलज़्भ के मरए कामा ककमा। उन्शोंने बायत के शय

ज़रूयत शै । याजू काम्फरे जी का जाना अम्फेडकयलादी

उत्तयी अभेरयका औय दक्षषण अभेरयका भें बफज़नेव

नभ आॊखों वे श्रद्ाॊजमर…. जमबीभ

याज्मों वे गमे रेफवा को बी अम्फेडकय भल ू भेंट वे जोड़ा।

Reproduced from https://www.nationalindianews.in/ india/mrraju-kamble/

मरए

वभवऩात

यशे

औय

ग्राउॊ ड

ऩय

जाकय

दमरत

एक याज्म वे रेकय भध्म एमळमा, दक्षषण एमळमा, मयू ोऩ, तराव, ववलाव तराव वे रेकय इॊडडमा के अरग-अरग

Jayant Rangari It‘s a time of deep sorrow and grief that we all are in, due to the untimely demise of BAMCEF KAMBLE Saheb (Mn. Raju Kamble Sir) Please accept my & from everyone at BAMCEF International Network sincere heartfelt condolences to Mn. Raju Kamble Sir‘s Family Members and All Phuley –

वफके मरए की शभें ककव तयश वभाज के वॊघऴा भें

अऩना मोगदान दे ने औय ननयॊ तय प्रमाव कयने की भल ू भें ट के मरए अऩयू णीम षनत शै !

Ambedkarite Samaj in India and across the World. Mn. Raju Kamble Sir was a, Simple, Honest, Benevolent, Committed, Strong, Courteous, Sensible, Realistic, Reliable, Trustworthy, Passionate, Impeccable, Compassionate, Empathetic, Emphatic, Courageous, SelfLess, Civilized, Having High-Level Of Belongingness for our Samaj, Person Of High Morals & Character, Great Initiator, Thought-

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Provoker, Thinker, And a Invaluable Asset for the Organisation be it BAMCEF or AIM, A THOROUGH GENTLEMAN.

roadmap laid by our visionary Vishwa Ratna Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar derived from Teachings of All of our Forefathers.

A person from an organization BAMCEF took initiative to bring our Samaj people from across the World into one cohesive force, through AIM, with his tireless efforts and unquenching thirst for bringing awareness and establishing the core values & fundamentals of our Indian Constitution, a

Our SALUTE TO BAMCEF KAMBLE SAHEB (Mn. Raju Kamble Sir)

Dalit Dastak

ककमा. इवभें भरेमळमा के तलारारॊऩयु भें 1998 औय

दनु नया भर के अम्बेडकरळाददयों को जोड़ने ळाऱे राजू काांबऱे नहीां रहें

दमरत दस्तक न्मज़ ू नई हदल्री। अम्फेडकय इॊटयनेळनर मभळन (AIM) के

वॊस्थाऩक याजू काॊफरे नशीॊ यशें . 16 अगस्त को कनाडा के लैंकुअय भें उनका ननलााण शो गमा. लश वऩछरे 20

वारों वे कनाडा भें शी यश यशे थे. याजू काॊफरे दनु नमा बय के अम्फेडकयलाहदमों को जोड़ने लारी भशत्लऩण ू ा कड़ी

थे. उनके जाने वे दनु नमा के तभाभ दे ळों भें यशने लारे अम्फेडकयलाहदमों को गशया झटका रगा शै . ऩेळे वे वाइॊहटस्ट याजू केमभकर इॊजीननमय थे.

4 जनलयी 1954 को नागऩयु भें जन्भें याजू काॊफरे एक

वाभान्म ऩष्ट्ृ ठबमू भ के थे. रेककन फाफावाशे फ की फातों को आत्भवात कय जीलन भें वॊघऴा कयते शुए उन्शोंने प्रोपेळनर औय वोळर राइप भें फर ु हॊ दमों को छुआ. ले

आजीलन फाफावाशे फ अम्फेडकय के वलचायों को याष्ट्रीमअॊतयााष्ट्रीम स्तय ऩय ऩशुॊचाने के प्रमाव भें जट ु े यशें . उन्शोंने अरग-अरग दे ळों भें पैरे दमरतों को एक वाथ जोड़ने भें कापी भशत्लऩण ू ा बमू भका ननबाई.

अम्फेडकय इॊटयनेळनर मभळन के जरयए उन्शोंने दनु नमा

Source https://www.nationalindianews.in/india/ba mcef-international-network-president-jayantrangari-pays-tributes-to-the-sterlingpersona-of-raju-kamble/

2011 भें जफकक फ्ाॊव के ऩेरयव भें 2014 भें कामािभ

आमोस्जत ककमा गमा था. 2018 भें अम्फेडकय कन्लें ळन के मरए जाऩान को चुना गमा शै , स्जवका आमोजन 2223 मवतॊफय को शोना था. AIM के जरयए लो मए ू व, कनाडा, जाऩान, मभडडर ईस्ट वहशत ऩयू े मयु ोवऩम दे ळों भें पैरे अम्फेडकयलाहदमों को एक भॊच ऩय रे आएॊ. इवभें

जशाॊ अच्छे ऩदों ऩय यशने लारे अधधकायी थे तो वाधायण काभ कयने लारे रोग बी थे.

फशुत ऊॊचाईमों ऩय ऩशुॉचने ऩय बी ले कबी अऩने वभाज वे नशीॊ कटे फस्ल्क वभाज के मरए वभवऩात यशे औय

जभीनी स्तय ऩय जाकय दमरत एस्तटवलज़्भ के मरए कामा ककमा. उनका भानना था कक शय फशुजन को फाफावाशे फ को ऩढ़ना चाहशए. इवके मरए लो रोगों को ककताफें उऩरब्ध कयाते यशे . ले शभेळा स्टूडेंट्व को वलदे ळ

जाकय ऩढ़ने औय खुद को वषभ फनाकय वभाज के मरए कामा कयने के मरए प्रोत्वाहशत कयते थे. उनका ऩयू ा जीलन वभाज के मरए वभवऩात यशा. याजू बाऊ का जाना अम्फेडकयी आॊदोरन के मरए एक अऩण ू ीम षनत शै .

Source - http://www.dalitdastak.com/ ambedkar-international-mission-aim-founderraju-kamble-sir-died-in-vancouver-canada/

के कई दे ळों भें डॉ. अम्फेडकय कन्लें ळन आमोस्जत Ms. Suman Kardak I Suman Vishnu Kardak, President of Nashik Dalit Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, managing

two Boarding One for Girls & another for Boys. Rajkumar Kamble ji had visited our girls boarding at Nasik, for which Ambedkar

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Mission people had collectively donated Rs. 50,000/- on Rajkumar Kamble's initiative, which helped me to carry on major repair

works required for Girls Hostel building. We all pay our homage to great Leader of Ambedkar Mission, Rajkumar Kamble.

T. N. Urkude

So I started the membership drive. During this time Raju Kamble was in Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia. He came to know about my Mumbai stay and working for the Magazine. During his India visit he found out my whereabouts after a gap of 10 years. He then organized the 1st World Conference in 1998 under the banner of Dalit International Organization (DIO) in Kuala Lumpur. Subsequently he shifted to Abu Dhabi (UAE) then to Canada and then to Boston (USA). His organizing skills were excellent and I never met such an organizer in my life. Wherever he went, he united Ambedkarites irrespective of their state and language. And that is why one can find people working for AIM from pan India.

My Fond Memories of Late Mr. Raju Kamble I met Raju Kamble in 1978 when both of us were working in New Delhi. He was a high profile Chemical Engineer working with EIL. Soon after our meeting we liked each other thought process and our friendship turned into family friendship. However, I left Delhi in 1994 for my new job at Ranchi, and we lost contact with each other. In those days, there used to be no modern means of communication such as email and mobile phones. I came to know later that, he resigned from EIL and went abroad in somewhere in 1990 for better prospects. In the meantime, during his stay in Delhi he started a Hindi magazine viz. Jan Andolan ka Sajag Prahari. I left my job in Ranchi and joined TIFR in Mumbai. Adv. Ram Khobragade was the Chief Editor of the magazine asked me to get subscribers. Nishi Ukey Tributes to Raju Kamble Sir ! It's been almost 10 days since he passed away but still the vacuum created by his demise can be felt by each one of us each day. He has been downto-earth gallant soldier of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Raju Sir has truly unified the various Ambedkarite groups across the globe (Malaysia, Mid East, Canada, USA and in India) and has created a home for all of us in this foreign land. I came to know about his activism in Engineers India Limited in mid 1990s. Raju Sir is free distribution of Dr Ambedkar Writing and Speeches books to students in IITs and other colleges was a pioneering step to propagate Babasaheb's mission among

I was in regular touch with him since 1994. Wherever he came to India (Mumbai) he preferred to stay with us. In real sense, he was a Global Ambedkarite, who spread the thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar all over the world. Salute to Raju my Mentor and Friends

youngsters. I was fortunate enough to meet Raju Sir at least 5 occasions. In few events that I personally experienced his dedication, charisma and organization skills 1. Around 2005-06, he arranged a huge convention in Bangalore to implement "Reservation in Private Sector". He brought in many ministers from Karnataka including Mallikarjun Kharge, multiple groups in Karnataka, India and World. I could only imagine the tremendous efforts being put in by Raju Sir, Urkudeji and AIM team to make this event happen.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble 2. Raju Sir united all the like-minded groups from North, South, East and West India. 3. Wherever he went he organized Ambedkarites and carried out the mission activities. Got to meet Raju Sir during AANA events in Ohiopyle

So much to talk about his work. We deeply miss Raju Sir at every moment! We pledge to carry forward his and Baba's dream forward to help our underprivileged brethren !

4. Still remember his active participation and speech in Global March on Washington in 2015

Hardev Sahai Mr. Raju Kamble left us behind and in shock and we will miss him and his kind and generous spirit. We continue to be inspired by his great legacy and carry forward the mission which he was extremely dedicated Ronki Ram Dear Kamble Saab, it was not the time to go!! The Samata Sainik of Babasaheb' mission will remember you for times to come for your selfless and dedicated service to the millions of downtrodden to help them understand the teachings and philosophy of Babasaheb Dr B. R. Ambedkar. It was You and You Kamble

about. A very big salute to him, forever in our hearts. Love you and miss you, until we meet again. Jai Bhim ! Thank you very much to Sutey, Prakash Ahir for documenting the memorial service. Sahib who planted the sapling of Babasaheb' mission abroad which has now brought together massive Dalit diaspora across continents. Hats off to you and your consistent efforts for the emancipation and empowerment of the historically excluded sections of the Indian society. Jai Bheem Sir!!

Suthamalli Ganga I learned more about Raju Kamble Saab from listening during the farewell in Vancouver , and reading more about him in what‘s app etc. It is quite unimaginable that how much dedicated he was to the mission. He was larger than his life. First time I saw adults crying - all over. Raju Saab‘s passing has shaken all of us. Difficult to recover. Time is the only healer.

Konica Moon Everyone would fall short of words to describe Kamble uncle's persona. He was a legend who worked tirelessly for upliftment of suppressed strata of the community. He was a covalent bond who held all NRIs together for the social cause. Just like a mother who would protect her baby, just like Dr Ambedkar who is also called Bhimayi (Bhim + aai) aayi meaning

mother, uncle was a not only a father figure to everyone but also cared for most of us as a mother when there was any personal crisis in our life. He was a string who held AIM organization all over the world. I never got an opportunity to work with Babasaheb, but in my childhood I have seen people working closely with Kanshiram sahab with whom I never got a chance to work but I was fortunate to work with Kamble uncle for

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Tribute to Raju Kamble the social cause. The guilt would always be there that I could have helped him more, could have dedicated more time.

He paid back to society and thus he justified being known as BAMCEF Kamble in every single sense.

He was taken away very early leaving a void in our life and an irreplaceable loss for our mission.

His departure has left all of us and our mission as "Orphan". My eyes will always search for you!

Velu Annamalai I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by Monica about Raju. I have known Raju since 1990/1991 when both of us were living in Houston, Texas. We attended many meetings and conferences together. His energy level when it comes to Ambedkarite movements, it is impossible to describe in simple words. The Ambedkarite movement in North America must find an alternate with the same level of

dedication and 100% interest. The younger blood among us should come forward and he will always give his moral and emotional support wherever the magical name Babasaheb Ambedkar appears. His loss is immeasurable in every sense of the word to all Ambedkarites, particularly in North America.

Krishnan Venkatachalam

any one so great. At this moment his demise brings only the tears. I am unable to write any further.

I know My beloved Brother Raju Kamble since I joined EIL in 1980. I can't compare Reena Ukey It‘s huge loss for community. Ayya Yeshe Oh, sad to hear this. He was a really good hearted man, wonderful leader, endless font of enthusiasm, a light for all of us. I hope we

Sakya Mohan Really a shock to all. I remember him as a great organizer of AIM meetings all over the world. When he organized Golden Jubilee of Dhamma Kranti in Nagpur, he invited me to talk about Buddhism in South India. He also invited me to give a speech on Buddhism in Tamil Nadu when he organized Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

He will continue to remain an inspiration to us Deepest condolence

can carry forward and take his qualities of tireless enthusiasm and compassion in the struggle for social justice for all SC people and anyone oppressed in the world. May he attain nirvana.

Memorial Lectures at Columbia University. I am thankful to Mr. Kamble! Such a great great leader! He is one of the greatest leaders who took Babasaheb‘s messages to Dalit Diaspora around the world. I hope his colleagues like Dr. Velu Annamalai, Dr. Berwa should share more about the diseased leader! It‘s really shocking the Dalit world!

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Chetan Dhorey Dear AANA, thanks for summing up the time life story of Sir. We read thru during

Prachi Patankar Rest in Power, Raju Kambleji! You were a powerful and beautiful human being. You Namdeo Gajbhiye I am moved and feel sad by the untimely demise of Raju Kamble. During our IISc days, we shared hours together on thoughts of Babasaheb Ambedkar and our society which led to his mission of AIM, pay back to society, after serving oil companies in some countries and later to academics in Canada and USA. He used to be restless for his mission to spread the life and message of Babasaheb across the world. That was after almost two decades he called me when I joined

condolence meeting today in Oman and it was very enlightening for many new. We Should make a video out of the context so that generations are inspired.

brought and took forward the struggle for caste annihilation in the US.

Gorakhpur University as VC and followed our meeting 2013 in Nagpur. He invited me to one meeting in Delhi to address. His mission and dedication for our society was relentless. Very dynamic towering personality. We all miss him as a guiding and motivational for the cause of our people and for higher education through this foundation. I pay my tribute to him and prey Tathagat Buddha for the Mangal. My condolences to the bereaved family.

TWITTER Ravi Ratan‫@ ‏‬scribe_it Beyond his public works, Raju Kamble personally supported many Dalit students in their studies offering them scholarships and ICDR International‫@ ‏‬ICDRForum Under #RAJUKAMBLE leadership at #DalitGlobalConference, we produced #GlobalDeclarationOfDalitRights2015 as Ashok Bharti‫@ ‏‬DalitOnLine Raju Kamble, our missionary brother, one of the founders of Ambedkar International

Paul Divakar N‫@ ‏‬paulncdhr Deep homage and Johar to Dr. Raju Kamble, Ambedkar International Mission Founder,

helping them with their fees so that promising students from across India could pursue education and better lives for themselves, and their communities.

framework to promote dignity, & prevent Caste/Descent Discrimination. We will pursue his path & he will be our leader forever.

Mission, and organiser of Dalits across the countries and continents is no more with us. He died in Canada. We lost a friend, comrade, leader & co-worker.

great leader who spread Ambedkar mission in North America, Middle East, Far East and Australia, we salute you. A great loss to the movement.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

VS Jaigopal‫@ ‏‬Phule_Ambedkar Very saddened to share that one of the Strongest Global Ambedkarite, Raju Kamble

samajweekly‫@ ‏‬samajweekly A tribute to Raju Kamble, instrumental in consolidating the Dalit diaspora in East Asia

Sanwjag‫@ ‏‬Sanwjag1 We deeply mourn very sad & untimely demise of Engineer Raju Kamble in Canada due to brief illness. Deepest condolences on tragic Original Inhabitant‫@ ‏‬fight_4r_right Raju Kamble was such a hardcore dedicated Ambedkarite. He kept on neglecting his health and was forced to get admitted in Ask Ambedkar‫@ ‏‬AskAmbedkar #Global #Ambedkarite movement lost one of its towering leader in #RajuKamble. He was finest organizer on international level.

Uncle passed away. He was a family friend. Jai Bhim Uncle. He created a great legacy and was a great role model. He spent so much from his own pocket for Social Causes.

and the West. His exertions contributed to Ambedkarites, here and abroad, having reached a stage where they can effectively fight discrimination

and sudden demise Er. Raju Kamble president of Ambedkar International Mission. We lost an activist who worked to spread Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar‘s ideology.

hospital. But it was too late. He refused to go to ICU and wanted to stay out so that he could continue to coordinate for the Japan Conference.

Coming up from humble makings he was very effective link between the downtrodden to savvy diplomats. RIP Rajkumar Daulatrao Kamble.

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Tribute to Raju Kamble Condolence Meetings held

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

Please see video recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YsPVSSH_Pc&t=6231s

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

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Tribute to Raju Kamble

A Journey

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Links for further research http://ambedkarmission.org/ http://www.aimjapan.org/ http://aimoman.org/ https://www.aimbah.com/ http://www.ambedkarmission.net/About_Us.cshtml?ReturnUrl=Home http://velivada.com/2017/04/28/ambedkar-international-mission-celebrated-dr-ambedkarjayanti-new-york-usa/ http://www.ambedkarmission.com/ http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/companyprofile.dr_ambedkar_international_mission_norway.185ba40298958c21.html https://abisg.org/about-us/ https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/ambedkar-international-mission https://openlibrary.org/books/OL14175184M/Ambedkar_birth_centenary_souvenir_(1991). https://www.proff.no/selskap/dr.-ambedkar-international-missionnorway/drammen/foreninger-og-forbund-%C3%B8vrige/IF2Y7X70ZYT/ http://twocircles.net/2016jun14/1465887733.html https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/congressional-record-index/105thcongress/2nd-session/ambedkar-international-mission-u-s-a-organization/184267 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omqq7a5WBlI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm3FV_xHWLc

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