Ambedkar Summary 3 Essay Example

Ambedkar Summary 3 Essay Dr. Ambedkar: A Social Reformer Through the Magnifier of Antonio Gramsci SAVITA V. DEOGIRKAR Lecturer in English, Adarsha Mahavidyalaya, Dhamangaon (Rly) Distt: Amravati (M. S. ) Abstract A Champion of Human Rights, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was a multi dimensional personality. He was a great thinker, a philosopher, a true revolutionist, a prolific writer and at the top a devoted reformer. If studied and analyzed his noble saga to fight against Castes’ and untouchability through the magnifier of Antonio Gramsci, a German philosopher of 1940’s, he could be hailed as an ‘organic intellectual. His undeniable reforms in annihilating Caste, his views regarding women empowerment, his Dalit movement are really credible moves to wage a counter revolution against Hindu Religion. At the same time he tried to restructure his chosen religion to meet the needs of Dalit community. The noble cause to have unification of caste was one of the constitutional features of Democracy which he propagated that label him as a precursor of Social Democracy to meet the present day situation. The operation of caste, his views on Women’s oppression, his reinterpretation of the role of the monk proves him to be a social reformer that warrant a close examination of his biography and his lion’s share to set a perfect platform for World’s biggest Democratic country none other than India. - â€Å"Liberty, Equality and Fraternity Educate, Agitate and Organize! † This great message was spread all over the world by an architect of Indian Constitution none other than Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. A statue of a man having a book under his left hand and an index finger of a right hand pointing towards a Parliament Building is very familiar for all the Indians. But for the children it is the matter of curiosity of what that book was. That was a book of Indian Constitution drafted by Dr. Ambedkar in 1948 and that is his statue. Bhim as his name was, born to a middle class family of untouchables at Mhow in 1891. Being an untouchable himself, Ambedkar went through all agonies of untouchability. The exploitation of blacks in the hands of White America and the sufferings of the Jews in Germany are well known. We will write a custom essay sample on Ambedkar Summary 3 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Ambedkar Summary 3 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Ambedkar Summary 3 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In this comparison the horrifying sufferings of untouchables need an extensive study of how inequality creates a breach in the social relations and how different strata of society pollute public relations. These muted people in outcaste community were given voice by the heroic efforts of Ambedkar. He emancipated his people from age-old slavery though virtually. The agonies of his people were recorded by a grown up Dalit Leader, Ambedkar who denied India to be his motherland due to brutal behaviour of his own people where all the untouchables were even denied to be called as men. For a school goer prohibition to draw water from public tanks and wells, his experience of insults in the form of refusal of local conveyance sharpened his anger against the cruel system of untouchability. As a result of that a ‘messiah’ of these Dalits successfully campaigned against these odds like Chowdar Tank campaign, Mahad campaign in 1927. His ceremonial burning of Manusmriti suggests his hatred towards Hinduism and Hindu social order which triggered up the mass movement of the conversion to Buddhism in 1920’s. Depressed classes were prohibited entry in the temples of Hindus those were made open to them under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar in 1930’s. All over Maharashtra this campaign was observed successfully. These underprivileged were given justice by Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar waged a lifetime struggle against Hinduism. He knew that there was no salvation for the untouchables within Hinduism. So while writing his ‘The Buddha and his Dhamma’, he consciously tried to restructure his chosen religion to meet the needs of the Dalit Community. His was a deliberate attempt to change traditional teachings of Buddha so as to meet the needs for the ages to come. Herein, I contend, that Dr. Ambedkar performed a job of an ‘organic intellectual, for his community. Antonio Gramsci, a German philosopher is less explored till present. First wave of interest in Gramsci was screwed up after the publication of his prison writings in the form of letters in 1947. His extensive observation on the role of intellectuals in society and their function, his post Marxist theory, Coercion and counter revolution opened up new vistas for re-reading texts of ethnic, post-colonial studies. His theory rekindled interest in academic intellectuals, Subaltern studies and social hierarchy. More or less Gramsci has become a ‘classic’ to be read, interpreted, analyzed and applied. According to Gramsci, ‘organic intellectuals’ function to fashion the intellectual, moral and political leadership by engaging organizational activity. They fuse moral and intellectual dimensions. Every social group creates with itself, organically one or more strata of intellectuals. Gramsci noted, â€Å"All men are intellectuals†¦. but not all men in society have the function of intellectuals. †1 Therefore an intellectual is defined by the qualities of their activities, but being an intellectual is more than just being involved in ‘brain work. ’ They lead the masses. They educate them and try to awaken them and prepare them for the counter revolution against Hegemony. For Gramsci intellectuals were the instrument for the organization of human life. These intellectuals were not independent but rather products of the class into which they are born. They carry a special bond between themselves through which they organize their community. He is a ‘permanent persuader’ who sets a role model for the society. 2 Dr. Ambedkar was born to the same community of outcastes who set a role model for the Dalit community and tried to educate, agitate and organize them in true sense of a phrase coined by Gramsci i. . Organic Intellectual. He succeeded in decoding the real meaning of Buddhism and tried to re-structure this religion to meet the requirements of present day Indian Society. So as to say, he was a true visionary who churned up the mass movement of the conversion to Buddhism. Having a Ph. D. to his credit, an advocate by profession Dr. Ambed kar advocated banishment of casteism, then and then only Democracy will prevail. The noble idea of drafting Indian Constitution took shape in his mind that gave fundamental rights to the citizens and dwelt on the responsibilities and rights of the four pillars of democracy. A staunch believer of democracy, Dr. Ambedkar is remembered only on his birth and death anniversaries and his ideologies are almost wiped and washed out of our mind. It’s high time we should emulate the ideals of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and strive for prosperity in educational, social and political fields. But the perception of democracy is a matter of complexity nowadays. As we all know Indian Society is a beautiful amalgam of Castes which are exclusive in their life. Though this is the fact, Caste System poses a great threat to Democracy itself. Most important evil of it is â€Å"Graded Inequality†. 3 Castes are not equal in their status but is filled with contempt and hatred towards each other. This widens a gap between people and divides the society into two strata; higher class and lower class. Higher class always dominates lower class and treats it to be the slave. They are not allowed to have basic facilities including education In wider sense Democracy means a way of life, order of society, a way of social economic relation that is based on the ideals of Principles of Equality, Liberty and Fraternity. To implement these ideals, favourable conditions are pre-requisite to have Democracy prevailing; which was just the opposite in the case of Untouchables who were denied of education. There was no equality. They were not given liberty to do what they wanted without being permitted. They were not allowed to enter in the temples or to drink water in public places. And there was no Fraternity amongst the people of the society. For the Hindus, Dalits were not the brothers. But the cursed people. â€Å"Justice delayed is Justice denied†. Same happened with them. The preamble of Indian Constitution and chapters referring fundamental rights and State Policy state it very clearly that there should be ‘Non-discrimination on grounds of Religion, Race, Caste, Sex or Place of Birth. ’4 Reservation Bill, the brain child of Ambedkar was just another step towards elevating social, economic standard of the country. That proves that the sculptor of Indian Constitution Ambedkar wanted it to be instrumental of socio-economic justice and the basis of all justice is equality. Ambedkar knew it that since eternity India is the World’s classic unequal society that observes rigid caste system. That was the primary issue of Ambedkar’s struggle for annihilation of caste. Dr. Ambedkar stated fearlessly in the constituent assembly, ‘We are going to a life of contradictions. In politics†¦. equality.. in social life†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦inequality. ’5 His ideas, his ideals and his philosophy being an ‘organic intellectual’ of the downtrodden, always revolved around human welfare. His struggle was to consolidate Dalits and to make them aware that they too were human beings. To restore their dignity and to give them respectable place, Ambedkar devoted his forty years and sought a chosen religion that could deliver the depressed classes from the shackles of ocial evil. Buddhism’s fundamental issue is to recognize the pain, sufferings in human beings. And real religion resides in the heart of a man and not in Shastra. What attracted Ambedkar towards Buddhism was its preaching of Prajna( Understanding), Karuna( Love) and Samata( Equality) that no other religion advocates. So he gave Dalits new religion to be clinged. In fact Dalit Buddhist Movement is a ‘symbol of identity transformation’ than a true religious conversion. 6 According to Ambedkar definition of Nirvana is not only easily but also theoretically attainable within a single lifetime. He also re-interpreted the role of the monk. They are the active participants in re-writing history. A Bhikku should fight to spread Dhamma. This life time contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in the field of religion, his educational philosophy, his drafting of Indian Constitution and his views on women’s oppression justify him to be a social reformer par excellence. A vast section of India still dwells under unhygienic conditions, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. We still engage in casteism. What lessons were taught to us by this great reformer is conveniently forgotten. Politicians are running behind vote banks and interested in their selfish gains than the welfare of the masses. On surface we find no untouchability. But at heart the breach is more widened. One has to come to this ground reality and as ‘charity begins at home’ everything good should begin from us. Then and then only in true sense we will show gratitude towards this great social reformer and an active ‘organic intellectual’ who let the Dalits educate, agitate and organize towards a counter revolution. References 1)Aditi Misra. The Political Philosophy of Antonio Gramsci. Commonwealth Publishers, New Delhi, 1991. p. 116. 2)Ibid. 116. 3)Rahi Gaikwad. â€Å"Need for Feminists to reclaim Ambedkar seen. † The Hindu. January 10, 2010. 4)Subhash C. Kashyap. Our Constitution: An Introduction to India’s Constitution and Constitutional Law. National Book Trust, India. 1994. p. 93. 5)An Essay on rethinking on Democracy. www. preservearticles. com/ /rethinking-on-democracy. html 6)Buddhism17-25. pdf p. 20

Reflection paper The Death of the West

Reflection paper The Death of the West The rationale behind reflection is to exhibit the learnt principles, speculations, and concept of bargaining as well as negotiation. One may desire to center on one particular passage or to react to the focal argument of the entire selection. It usually entails commenting on the content portrayed by the author (Palloff Pratt 71).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection paper: â€Å"The Death of the West† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Patrick Buchanan’s dogma in his manuscript, â€Å"The Death of the West† is no exception in this critical realm. The book’s opinions on the reduced population growth rate in the western nations with a concurrent enormous immigration from the third world nations is threatening from the authors perspective. Description of the elucidated concepts demonstrates a reflection and learning beyond just summarizing what the author illuminates. It is factual that the book offers crucial information regarding immigration and birth control in western nations; nonetheless, a reflection structured from these concerns thwarts numerous opinions and demonstrates a very different view. An obvious reflection that captivates when one has his/her first encounter with the book is the title, which from appearance creates numerous mixed reactions before one knows the real contents of the book. The title, â€Å"The Death of the West† is perceivable from different perspectives of which one of them can be an anticipated attack from the cruel terrorists who mercilessly kill the innocent. This perspective equally elicits a daunting threat since most terrorist attacks have always targeted the western nations either directly or indirectly. Another prediction is a destructive natural calamity, which may at one time confront these cherished nations. The disillusionment comes after reading between the lines and elucidating that the author was merely resistan t to the inevitable changes that the world is posing. This is evident by the author’s expression of thoughts that immigration of people into the western countries can also be a threat if not monitored. Buchanan’s viewpoints and observations elicit numerous critical responses. It is illustratable that the author is an extreme conservative who is averse to acknowledge the inevitable changes and the consequences that come along with them. This is evident considering his fears about the uncertainties of the future since he is not ready to accept them. Manifestations come when the author airs his qualms about the dying Euro-American populations He is not ready for the racial diversity and the future varied population masses in different countries of the West. Being a conservative, he cannot admit the reality but gets extra irritated with the emerging population trends.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On scrutiny, he is only foreseeing a future population dominated by â€Å"blacks and Latinos† This is apparent when he raises his concern on the endless massive immigration and diminishing birth rates in the western nations. Buchanan fights to elucidate what characterizes the West, and whether anything will clasp the West together as a community. Critically, this thought has no emergent nations in its contents hence drawing a clear line between the duos. The author may be one of the greatest racists ever met on earth. This is evident in his alienated opinions of which most of them are against the idea of having more blacks than whites in the near future. It creates an illusion that other races are worthless and never on earth should they exist more than they currently do. He generally observes third world states to be of no value and their movement to western countries is uncalled for, instead, they are infringing. A reflection on such perceptions reveals some elements of selfishness. As nations, globally campaign against racism, Buchanan has taken another challenging and well-orchestrated approach to enhance the development of this particular vice. This creates some questionable remarks, as it is notable that most western nations are still the highest in the population gauges even though they endeavor to minimize their birth rates. If this is the case, then why should they worry about the less populated poor immigrants? Concurrently, the author is only concerned with the white populations and cares very little about the black population. Are the blacks lesser beings? Buchanan is simply a revisionist. He backs an intermittent tendency within the Communist faction to amend â€Å"Marxist theory† in a manner providing a justification to retreat from the revolutionary setting to the reformist movement. Additionally, it is certain that the writer had some sense when he talked of how international organizat ions usually perform shoddily but possess an overstated sagacity of their own significance. Similarly, what the Western nations do greatly influence them than stuffs done to them. Arguably, supremacy enjoyed by the Americas republican societies is not affecting positively on them since most immigrants are attracted to this very supremacy. Buchanans ultimate contemplation on the query of reasons behind the west’s death is nearly similar to the rest of his earlier thoughts. It is apparent that the territories of his interests had initially acquired a thorough tackling in the racialist literature. It is comprehensible that the author has no interest in the racialist squabble.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection paper: â€Å"The Death of the West† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He declines to regard the Holocaust or Jewish apprehensions as well as influence when tackling his themes. It is arguable that the author is aware of the many daunting problems that western nations are undergoing, but diverts his attention to the other insignificant ones under the pretext that he is foreseeing an unbearable future. Worse still, he suspects this predicament to derive from the mounting nations from which his undying disgusts originate. It is lucid that the author’s cause of discrepancy on the phenomenon is in immigration sector. The birth rates in these populated western nation is an insignificant threat hence its rating as a major concern for the anticipated population drop is less vital in this arena. Apparently, he deliberately takes an undue cover with the issue of birth control rates in the western nations. He senses the tribulations that the West is confronting but has withdrawn so faraway from the frontlines that his mind is unsteady with fruitless attempts to recognize other origins, and remedies to the troubles. Buchanan has done an excellent job of recognizing indicatio ns of the West’s future predicaments; it is now upon the experts to draft the measures for the desired remedy. Buchanan deduces numerous uncertainties, which he is unable to pinpoint explicitly. Considering statistics and facts demonstrated in the prior chapters, he fumbles to spot the root sources of the tribulations stemming the West’s downfall. He hurls a combination of reasons to elucidate the disgrace. His endless list encompassing the decline in the universal faith as well as religion, legitimately recognized abortion and family planning, sexual mutiny, and Women’s freedom, is not evident enough to support his ill-fated claims. Buchanan considers Christianity as dented or destabilized from its disintegration commencing with the rectification. Evidently, the author is in support of Catholic as a universal form of Christianity since his disgust culminates from the catholic disintegration into other churches (Christerson, Edwards Emerson 81). For Buchanan, t hese incongruent proceedings merge into a fall in family income and the social pressures of Karl Marx and other legendary Communist revolutionaries. On personal experiences and insights, immigration into a given nation cannot influence negatively on that particular country if logical and legal measures are in force, and embraced. No continent can be a no man’s land hence coexistence is equally paramount. The accumulation movement of the inhabitants of the third world states to the West is of a mutual gain.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The immigrants might be in a dare need of employment while the host country will eventually enjoy the provided work force for its desired developments. It is less rational enough to contemplate that the immigrant’s number will augment large enough to the extent of replacing the population deficit created by the restricted birth rates experienced by the western nations. Concurrently, Buchanan’s depiction of the practiced family planning is not near the desired rational as to why the movement and campaign was made. Birth control is vital in the achievement of the desirable living standards. People should scrutinize this from an awkward perspective as the author predicts. In conclusion, since a reflection paper is a discourse amid the reader and the presented reading material, it is vital during critical analysis of the article in question. Buchanans book targets a mass audience, and evades the scholarly challenge one would anticipate from a manuscript dealing with such a n astonishing presage. It is factual that the concerns over immigration have surfaced in many western nations and very little can be staged to curb the trend. Alongside, the restriction in birth rates has done extremely good for many lives but not as perceived by the author. It is this section of Death of the West that is superlatively written and mainly revealing: however, the book’s subjection to a reflection analysis thwarts most of the elucidated facts to be merely empty and meant to elicit undue threats. Christerson, Brad. Edwards, Korie. Emerson, Michael. Against all odds: the struggle for racial integration in religious organizations. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2005. Print. Palloff, Rena. Pratt, Keith. The virtual student: a profile and guide to working with online learners. California, CA: John Wiley and Sons, 2003. Print.