Press Release

To commemorate birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, the father of Indian Constitution and civil rights leader, the Embassy of India, Phnom Penh in association with Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, Preah Sihamoniraja Buddhist University, Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, Phnom Penh and Ministry of Cult & Religion, Kingdom of Cambodia organised an International Conference on “Dr. B. R. Ambedkar`s Contribution to the Making of the Indian Constitution, Nation Building and His Thoughts on Buddhism” on 10th April, 2024 at the Conference Hall of Preah Sihamoniraja Buddhist University, Phnom Penh. 

Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is one of the India's greatest intellectuals, farsighted statesmen, humanist, economist, brilliant academician, splendid orator and writer. He was a true legal luminary, a constitutional expert of exceptional democratic vision, and above all, a great nation-builder in Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Social Justice. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar believed that the ideals of universal human rights, self-reliance, and non-violent struggle (expressed in the slogans “liberty, equality, fraternity” and “educate, agitate, organize”) are grounded in the Dhamma, the ancient teaching of the Buddha. 

H.E. Mr. Gnoun Sdechpheakdey, Secretary of State, Ministry of Cults and Religions addressed the Conference as “Guest of Honor’ and underlined that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Contributions of the Making of the Indian Constitution and Nation-Building, and His Thoughts on Buddhism. He also stated this conference will bring more collaborative Buddhist linkage between Cambodia and India.

Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India welcomed all the guest speakers of the Conference and discussed Dr. Ambedkar’s life journey and his philosophy in brief. 

During the first session, Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh, Assistant Professor, School of Buddhist Studies & Civilisation and Director of International Affairs, Gautam Buddha University, Uttar Pradesh delivered his speech on Babasahab Dr. Ambedkar’s contribution to the making of the Indian Constitution. 

Professor (Dr.) Baidyanath Labh, Vice Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist Indic Studies, India expressed his views on Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts on Buddha and Dhamma. Dhamma (Sanskrit Dharma) is the collective term. H.E. Dr. Khy Sovanratana, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the key note on Dr. Ambedkar’s life and his thoughts. Lt. Col. Akash Patil, Director, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi and underlined Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts on education and women empowerment. 

The goal of the Conference was to educate and create awareness about the significant contributions made by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in various social and educational areas and to promote cooperation among the academicians from India and Cambodia. It also provided opportunities to Cambodian students to learn from Indian scholars, their perspective on Buddhism. 

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