Babasaheb Ambedkar's bust unveiled at Canada's York University

A bust of BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, has been unveiled at the York University in Toronto.

"Dr Ambedkar was as a great son of India and the architect of the Indian Constitution who devoted his entire life to the cause of social justice, gender equality and promotion of education," Vishnu Prakash, High Commissioner of India in Canada, said as he unveiled the bust on Wednesday.

He pointed out that India had the largest affirmative action (reservation) programme in the world, spanning over sixty years, to make available government jobs, as well as, educational and other benefits to the under-privileged sections of the society. Prakash dedicated the bust to the students of York University and, through them, the people of Canada.

The third largest in Canada, York University has over 55,000 students on its rolls, of which more than 800 are from India. Earlier, a bust of Dr Ambedkar was established at the Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. The bust at York was arranged by the Ambedkar International Mission (AIM), Canada.

Sukhadeo Thorat, Chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), described Ambedkar as one of the greatest Indians of the 21st century, likening him to Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. He highlighted the pioneering role played by Ambedkar in framing the Constitution of India, his contributions to social justice, as well as, rebuilding the Indian society.