Remarks by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin
Permanent Representative

On the Occasion of 127th Birth Anniversary of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar

At the Special Event on
“Leaving No One Behind”

United Nations
13 April 2018

Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator UNDP,

Distinguished members of the panel on the theme of “Leaving No One Behind”

Dr. MenakaGuruswami, Columbia University
Mr. Jonathan Hollander, Founder, Battery Dance Company
Mr. Ashwini Tewari, Head of US Operations, State Bank of India 
Mr. Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India in New York

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,
 
It is a privilege to welcome you to this special event at the United Nations to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

2.    We gather here today to trace the imprints of Dr. Ambedkar’s visionary thinking, as we venture to fulfil the promise of ‘Leaving No One Behind’,in accordance with the transformative Agenda, targeted to be achieved by 2030. Such events generate more enthusiasm than one can perceive. In that context, I want to recognise the efforts of several of you who have travelled all the way from India, just to be present at this event.   

3.    This is a testimony to Dr. Ambedkar’s life and the enduring nature of the vision that he embodied. It is also reflection of the belief that the principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ is a treasured one.

4.    Many of us are familiar with Dr Ambedkar’s inspiring life story, glimpses of which have been portrayed in the short film you have seen just now.

5.    Coming from a humble background, he faced deeply entrenched social prejudices. Despite all odds, he excelled in diverse fields of enquiry to emerge as a pioneering thinker of his time. A multifaceted personality, he was an eminent jurist, a political writer, economist, and a social reformer. 

6.    His extraordinary scholarship and conviction in inclusivity and social justice acted as a guiding light when India gained independence. Dr. Ambedkar’s farsighted vision played a very significant role in setting independent India on the path to becoming modern India. 

7.    His most significant contribution was undoubtedly being the architect of the Indian Constitution which is based on the values of democracy, liberty and equality. 

8.    As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, he was the consensus builder who ensured the delicate balance between justice, rights and duties, as well as equal opportunities for all, in a pluralistic society.  

9.    As a crusader against all forms of prejudicial treatment of people on the basis of their identity,Dr. Ambedkar ensured that India’s Constitutionacknowledges the longstanding social injustices of the past and provides for measures of affirmative action to facilitate access to opportunities for disadvantaged sections of Indian society. 

10.    This conviction has stood the test of time. It has been the foundation on which the modern India thrives today with its myriad diversities. 

11.    Dr. Ambedkar was a strong champion of women emancipation and gender equality including through right to property and inheritance and enshrined the principle of equal pay for equal work in India’s Constitution. 

12.    As a champion of universal adult franchise, his contribution to the democratic fundamentals of the modern Indian political system has been significant.  Today, those who have the right to vote in India total more than 850 million – the largest collectivity ever known in human history that acts together to choose their representatives. 

13.    The indelible imprint of Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of social equality and inclusive growth is visible in almost all aspects of India’s growth story today. 

14.    With one-sixth of world’s population and bewildering diversity, India,while on the fast track of economic growth,continues to face multiple challenges, including chronic poverty of significant sections of our population and inequity of income and opportunities. This recognition strengthens our collective resolve to address these issues in a holistic manner, consistent with the ideals and institutional legacies of the founding fathers of our Republic like Dr. Ambedkar.

15.    Many of the speakers today will certainly touch upon the various programs in India relating to inclusive development,which are subsumed in the motto of the 'SabkaSaathSabkaVikas -Collective efforts-inclusive development'. 

16.    However, Babasaheb’s influence on modern India is not merely restricted to India’s domestic policies. His striving to be the voice of the marginalized is also reflected in India’s policy commitment and resolve to work collectively for poverty eradication across the globe and to leave no one behind. 

17.    In this spirit,India is working with fellow developing countries by providing development assistance in their endeavours to implement the 2030 Agenda.Development cooperation with Least Development Countries and Small Island Developing States is the focus.

18.    With this aim,the India-UN Development Partnership Fund has been set up,in association with the UN Office of South-South Cooperation,under the auspices of United Nations Development Programme. The $ 100 million, allocated under this Fund, are non-earmarked to ensure sustained predictable funding for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Building on this, we are also opening a Commonwealth window of this Fund and allocating additional resources for developing countries from the Commonwealth.The new windowtoo will be managed through the UNDP. These are all small measures that we take in solidarity with our vision of working together with our friends and partners amongst developing countries across the globe. 

Friends,

19.    With these introductory remarks, I am pleased to invite Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme, to deliver the keynote address. UNDP is the lead agency of the United Nations system which plays a pivotal role in helping developing countries to implement the Agenda 2030 and to realize the motto of leaving no one behind.

20.    Over nearly three decades, Mr. Steiner has been a committed votary of sustainable development, climate resilience and international cooperation. He has worked tirelessly to champion sustainability, economic growth and equality for the vulnerable.

21.    Mr. Steiner is also the Vice-Chair of the UN Development Group, which unites the 32 UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies and other bodies that work to support sustainable development.

22.    We feel privileged to have him here with us today to share his thoughts.

I now invite him to address all of you.