Ambedkar’s scholarship offers model for students, professor says

B.R. Ambedkar’s scholarship and engagement with several academic disciplines should inspire students, Vikram Visaji of the Central University of Karnataka’s Kannada department said on Wednesday. Visaji was speaking at the inauguration of the Dr.

B.R. Ambedkar Vichara Vedike and a welcome programme for first-year BA and BCom students at Dr. B.R.

Ambedkar College in Kalaburagi. The college is run by the Karnataka People’s Education Society. He said Ambedkar studied sociology and economics at Columbia University in the United States while seeking to understand and develop a plan for advancing oppressed sections of society.

Visaji described Ambedkar as a scholar with expertise across disciplines and a wide interest in the works of thinkers from around the world. The professor said Ambedkar’s writings and scholarship were attracting growing global attention. He urged students to regard Ambedkar’s intellectual interests and reading habits as examples.

Gulbarga University Registrar Ramesh Landankar, who inaugurated the programme, said the college played an important role in Kalaburagi by providing educational opportunities to students from economically and socially disadvantaged communities. He said he hoped its students would become thinkers who contribute to social reform. KPE Society secretary Shantappa Suran said students should adopt Ambedkar’s discipline, desire for knowledge and determination.

Books were given to winners of student competitions. The programme also recognised Ajay Bhimrao, who won a gold medal in a 5,000-metre marathon, and Abhishek, a second-year M.Com student who passed the UGC-NET examination. Forum coordinator Gandhiji Molekar outlined its activities.