SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.
I have been writing in my blogs on the subject – April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, to be declared as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. It is gratifying to note the proposal is slowly attracting support and understanding not only with the GOI but also with the international community. The birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar this year, 2026, again was celebrated at the UN in New York along with all the Indian diplomatic missions abroad. The Government of Canada honoured the Indian icon and declared his birthday as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in Canada. I am confident that many more would follow suit in due course. I thought of engaging the Indian diplomatic machinery with the proposal and wrote a letter to 20 senior Indian Ambassadors/High Commissioners in big countries and likely stake holders considering the size of Indian diaspora in these countries with a view to solicit their understanding and support in carrying forward India’s Soft and Cultural Diplomacy in line with India’s initiatives with regard to International Non-violence Day on October 2, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and International Yoga Day on June 21, 2026. My letter of April 21, 2026 to 20 Ambassadors under intimation to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Principal Secretary to PM, Shri P.K. Mishra may be seen below.
Text of the Letter dated April 21, 2026 to 20 Heads of Indian Diplomatic Missions
April 21, 2026
Your Excellency,
I am one of your retired colleagues of 1984 (YOA) now settled in Jalandhar, my home town. The birthday celebrations of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar on April 14 by all the diplomatic missions of India have prompted me to write this to some of my colleagues in the IFS fraternity. Kindly excuse my indulgence. You may know that such structured celebrations pertaining to Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times happened for the second time. It was first done in April, 2016, at the solemn occasion of 125th birth anniversary of the icon.
You may or may not be knowing that in the run up to the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, I made a proposal in June, 2015 to the then EAM Sushma Swaraj to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. Since then the proposal is resting with the GOI – MEA/PMO. The Forum of SC Parliamentarians, on my submission, took the matter to PM Narendra Modi in November, 2015 in a Memorandum. I have been reminding MEA, PMO and other concerned regularly since then by way of blogs, social media and direct communications. My last blog on the subject would provide you some details of the proposal which may be excessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2026/04/babasaheb-ambedkar-declare-his-birthday.html
You must have read in the media that after many cities, provinces in the USA, Canada, the UK and many others, Canada has declared April 14 as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality this year by an proclamation in this regard. But GOI is sitting tight on the subject which is not understandable. I thought of sharing with Your Excellency with a view to solicit your kind understanding, consideration and all due support to the proposal on International Day of Equality. It will not only honour Babasaheb Ambedkar but also carry forward and strengthen India’s Soft and Cultural Diplomacy.
I am confident, my respected and dear friends, you would kindly consider and lend your due and appropriate support to my submissions. I count on you.
With regards,
Yours truly,
(Ramesh Chander)
His Excellency P. Harish,
PR of India to the UN,
New York (USA)
Sent Separately to –
1. Ambassador of India to the USA
2. Ambassador of India to Canada
3. High Commissioner of India to the UK
4. Ambassador of India to Germany
5. Ambassador of India to Austria
6. High Commissioner of India to Australia
7. Ambassador India to Italy
8. Ambassador of India to Sweden
9. High Commission of India to New Zealand
10. Ambassador of India to Japan
11. Ambassador of India to Netherland
12. Ambassador of India to UAE
13. Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia
14. Ambassador of India to Bahrain
15. Ambassador India to Qatar
16. Ambassador of India to France
17. Ambassador of India to South Africa
18. Ambassador of India to Brazil
19. Ambassador of India to Nigeria
Copy to –
1. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar
2. Principal Secretary to PM, P.K. Mishra
