From Kumbakonam to Cambridge: The journey of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the 'man who knew inifinity'

 

National Mathematics Day 2020: Celebrating S. Ramanujan’ birthday and his contributions to Maths

 

National Mathematics Day is celebrated to honour the S. Ramanujan, the great Indian Mathematician. Here are some interesting facts about the man and his contributions to maths.

National Mathematics Day is celebrated each year in India on December 22, 2020 to mark the birth anniversary of legendary Indian mathematician – Srinivasa Ramanujan. Born in Erode in 1887, S. Ramanujan went on to become a world renowned mathematician. His life was an awe inspiring journey that not only unravelled many mathematical principals but placed him squarely among the greatest minds of all times.

There are many anecdotes and contributions of the young genius that are often quoted. And yet, the most remarkable fact about Ramanujan was that he failed in all other subjects barring mathematics. Also, interestingly, as a student he would only attempt those mathematical questions that intrigued him and left the ‘rather easy’ ones. Here’s a look at his many contributions to maths and few other interesting facts about the man himself.

Srinivasa Rmanujan – Interesting Facts, Contributions & more

1. S. Ramanujan was born on December 22, 1887 in a Tamil Brahmin Iyengar family in Erode. Though his mother, a housewife, had three other children later, none of them survived even till their first birthday.
2. Ramanujan went to local school and was recognized as a child prodigy in mathematics by the age of 11.By that age, he could do advance mathematics taught at college level. It was at that age that he was introduced to trigonometry and by age 13 he was a master in the subject.
3. As a student, he would help his school assign 1200 teachers to 35 teachers as per their specific needs and requirements.
4. He graduated from Town Higher Secondary School in 1904 and was awarded the K. Ranganatha Rao prize for mathematics by the school's headmaster, Krishnaswami Iyer. He even got a scholarship to study at Government’s Arts College Kumbakonam. However, not interested in any other subject, he failed to score minimum passing marks and lost his scholarship.
5. Following the same, he enrolled at Pachaiyappa's College in Madras, now Chennai but failed his Fellow in Arts in 1906 and then in 1907 as he could not be inclined to study any other subject and even in mathematics he only chose to do ‘challenging’ questions.
6. 
7. Ramanujan got the recognition again in 1910 after he met the founder of the Indian Mathematical Society, V. Ramaswamy Aiyer and slowly gained repute in the mathematical circles. His remarkable work won him a position of research at the University of Madras.
8. He wrote to many English Mathematicians but his work was often disregarded for it lacked ‘formal’ presentation and flair. Before he was ‘found’ by G.H. Hardy, his work was returned by two professors of the Cambridge University, unread.
9. He first refused to leave India for England but later agreed. For most part, he claimed that he got the genius from divinity and that is where he got his answers.
10. He compiled as many as 3900 results and identitites in his lifetime.
11. Among the most important contributions were to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. His work on Ramanujan prime, the Ramanujan theta function, partition formulae and mock theta functions continue to open new areas of research.
12. Among the most famous are Ramanujan Number- also called the magic number which is 1729. It is the smallest number that can be expressed as a sum of cubes of two different sets of numbers. Ramajuna Square is another mathematical puzzle that enthrals all.
13. The great mathematician, however, was riddled with ill health all his life. The condition was often exacerbated due to poverty and his strict dietary restrictions that he followed as part of his religious beliefs.

The world lost the great mathematician at a young age of 32 in 1920. To honour his contribution to mathematics and to celebrate his remarkable genius, the day is celebrated as National Mathematics Day. The purpose is to instil among students the love for the subject.

Source:https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/national-mathematics-day-2020-celebrating-s-ramanujan-birthday-and-his-contributions-to-maths/697481?fbclid=IwAR2zCvGFCcqlhJM_HkIiq2GLzXhTfMz3oIH1NB4ETkt7ge_LO-Fe0HNTuXE

Deepa Malik, Indian Athlete, Arjuna award Winner, President Role Model Award, Padma Shri award Winner,First Ladies Award - Ministry of Women & Child Development, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

 Deepa Malik (born 30 September 1970) is an Indian athlete. She started her career in the age of 30. She is the first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games and won a Silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the shot put.^[3] She has also won gold in the F-53/54 Javelin event at the para athletic Grand Prix held in Dubai in 2018. She is currently the world number one in the F-53 category. She has won accolades for her participation in various adventure sports. She is associated with Himalayan Motorsports Association (H.M.A.) and Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (F.M.S.C.I.). She has undertaken an 8-day, 1,700-km drive in sub-zero temperatures which included a climb to 18,000 feet (5,500 m). It was – Raid De Himalaya. This journey covers many difficult paths including remote Himalayas, Leh, Shimla and Jammu.^[4][5]

She is a member of the working group in the formulation 12th five-year plan (2012–2017) on sports and physical education as nominated by the Planning Commission HRD Division on behalf of the Sports Ministry. She is also the 'Clean India' brand ambassador for NMDC and expert consultant for Disability Inclusive Accessible Infrastructure for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs 'Smart Cities' project.

Achievements

Deepa Malik is the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympics. She won the silver medal in the shot put in 2016 Paralympic Games. She was previously honored with the Arjuna award in 2012, at the age of 42 years.^[6] She has also been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2017. She created a New Asian Record in Asian Para Games 2018 and is the only Indian woman to win medals in 3 consecutive Asian Para Games (2010, 2014, 2018). She has won 58 national & 23 International medals across all disciplines to date.

International participation & medals won

• Asian Para Games 2018, Jakarta 2018 | 2 Bronze Medals(3rd Position) - 1 Bronze F53/F54 Category (Javelin Throw), 1 Bronze F51/52/53 Category (Discus Throw)
• Paralympic Games 2016, Rio 2016 | Silver Medal (2nd Position) - First Ever Indian Woman to win a Paralympic Medal (shot put)
• IPC Athletics World Championship, Doha, Qatar 2015 | Diploma (5th Position) – (shot put)
• IPC Oceania Asian Championship, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 2016 | 1 Gold (javelin), 1 Silver (shot put)
• Won Incheon Asian Para Games 2014 – Silver medal in women's 53–54 Javelin with a new Asian Record and has now qualified to be at IPC World Athletics Championship Doha 2015 to be held in Oct 2015
• IPC 2nd China Open Athletics Championship Beijing 10–17 April 2014– Shotput F53-55 Gold
• German open athletics championship Berlin 2013 – IPC Qualification event – Only women from India to earn qualification for IPC world athletics championship Lyon 2013
• IPC World Athletics Championship, Lyon 2013 – Diploma Position
• First Malaysian Open Athletics Championship April 2012 – Two Gold Medals – (Javelin and discus) – New Official Asian Record In Javelin F-53 Women – Felicitated by Milkha Singh Ji and P.T.Usha Ji.
• IWAS World Games Sharjah Dec-2011- Two Bronze Medals – Two New Asian Records
• IPC World Athletics Championship Christchurch Jan 2011 – Silver Medal
• IPC World Athletics Championship New Zealand 2011 – Only women para-athlete to qualify for the same *Commonwealth Games 2010 – Diploma Position – Shot Put
• Para-Asian Games China Dec 2010 – Bronze Medal – First Ever Medal Won By A Woman Athlete at Asian Games
• CP Sports Nottingham England Sep 2010 – Three Gold Medals – Shot-put, Discus, Javelin
• IWAS World Games, India 2009– shot put- Bronze Medal
• World Open Swimming Championship- Berlin 2008 – 10th Position S-5 Swimming Backstroke
• IWAS World Games Taiwan- 2007 – Diploma Position – Javelin F53 Women
• FESPIC Games Kuala Lumpur 2006 – 2ND Position S-5 Swimming Backstroke
• Qualified B Level – Javelin Throw F-53 For Beijing Olympics 2008 – Felicitated By Mr. Kapil Dev
• National and State level medals: 51 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze
• International medals- 23^[7]

Motor sports

Deepa Malik was the first person ever to receive a license for an invalid (modified) rally vehicle^{[citation needed]}, a case she consistently pursued for 19 months in Maharashtra. She is also the first physically challenged individual in the country to receive an official rally license from the Federation Motor Sports Club of India (FMSCI) and become a navigator and driver in the toughest car rallies of the country- Raid-de-HIMALAYA 2009 and Desert Storm 2010.

She had the honour of being the part of the grid and national anthem ceremony at the flag-off of the Formula-1 race at Buddh international circuit, 2013^{[citation needed]}.

Her aim of joining motorsports is to spread awareness towards the fact that physically challenged individuals can obtain an official license and attain independence and self-reliance through driving. Deepa Malik has undertaken numerous rallies to promote this cause.

Awards and recognition

National awards

• President Role Model Award (2014)
• Arjuna Award (2012)
• Maharashtra Chhatrapati Award (sports) (2009–10)
• Haryana Karambhoomi Award (2008)
• Swawlamban Puruskar Maharashtra (2006)
• Padmashri Award (2017)^[8]
• First Ladies Award - Ministry of Women & Child Development.
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2019)^[9]

Other awards

• WCRC Leaders Asia Excellence Award 2014
• Limca people of the year award 2014
• iCONGO Karamveer Puruskar 2014
• Amazing Indian Awards Times Now-2013
• Cavinkare National Ability Mastery Award −2013
• Karamaveer Chakra award 2013
• Nominee for L'Oreal Femina Awards 2013 in “Women We Love Category”
• Batra Positive Health Hero Award 2012
• AWWA Excellence Award For Sports 2012
• Media Peace & Excellence Award For Sports 2012
• Maharana Mewar Arawali Sports Award 2012
• Misaal-e-Himmat Award (2012)
• International Women's day appreciation Award 2011 – Cancer Patient Aid Association New Delhi.
• Shree Shakti Puruskar CARE- 2011
• District Sports Award Ahmednagar-2010
• Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar 2009
• Naari Gaurav Puraskar 2009
• Guru Gobind Shaurya Puraskar 2009
• Rotary Women Of The Year Award 2007

For the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics

• ₹4 crore (US$560,000) from the Government of Haryana^[10]
• ₹50 lakh (US$70,000) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports^[11]

Records and rankings

• Holds An Official IPC Asian Record In Javelin F-53 Category – Felicitated by Milkha Singh and P.T.Usha.
• Holds All Three National Records In Throws {Discus, Javelin, Shot-put} In F-53 Category
• Holds All Three National Records In S-1 Swimming Category {Back Stroke, Breast Stroke, Free Style }
• World Ranking 2010–12 – 2nd Shot-put, 3rd -Discus, 3rd Javelin
• Asian Ranking 2010–12 – 1st In All Three Throws

LIMCA World Records

• Longest Pan-India drive done by a paraplegic women. Chennai-Delhi 3278 km – 2013^[12]
• Driving Across Nine High Altitude Passes in Nine Days on Leh-Ladakh Highest Motorable Roads. (First Woman in the world in her disability to attempt a journey like this – 2011)
• Riding Special Bike −2009
• Swimming in River Yamuna Against The Current For 1 km. Allahabad-2008

Public Appearances

• 11 October 2019, On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, Deepa appeared on the popular Indian TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.^[13]

Politics

Deepa Malik joined BJP in March 2019 before the Lok Sabha elections.^[14]

See also

• Athletics at the 2010 Commonwealth Games – Women's shot put (F32–34/52/53)
• 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships – Women's discus throw
• Athletics at the 2010 Asian Para Games
• 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships – Women's javelin throw
• 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships – Women's shot put

• SOURCE:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepa_Malik

Deepa Malik basks in Khel Ratna glory K V Southern Command's Ex-student

 

Paralympic silver-medallist Deepa Malik on Thursday became the first Indian woman para-athlete and the oldest to be conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, but training commitments kept co-awardee Bajrang Punia away from the ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

Malik, who won a silver medal in the shot put F53 category in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, was joint winner of the top honour with Asian and Commonwealth Games champion Punia, who is in Russia to prepare for the upcoming World Championships in Kazakhstan.

Malik became only the second para-athlete after double Paralympic gold-medallist javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia, who received the recognition in 2017, to have won the prestigious award. At 49, she also became the oldest athlete ever to have claimed the honour.

World Championships bronze-medallist shuttler B Sai Praneeth, woman cricketer Poonam Yadav, Asian Games gold-winner heptathlete Swapna Barman, footballer Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, two-time world silver-medallist boxer Sonia Lather, Asian Games silver-medallist equestrian Fouaad Mirza, motorsports ace Gaurav Gill and Kabaddi captain Ajay Thakur were among the 19 sportspersons who received the Arjuna Award from President Ram Nath Kovind here.

Malik became fourth-time lucky as she was ignored for the award for the past three years, leading her to question and criticise the decision.

Prominent absentees

Prominent absentees from the event apart from Punia, were cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, Asian Games gold-medallist shot-putter Tejinder Pal Singh Toor, and silver-winner quartermiler Mohammed Anas, all of who were picked for the Arjuna award this year.

Jadeja is currently on national duty with the Indian Test team in the Caribbean, while Toor and Anas are competing in the national inter-state athletics meet in Lucknow right now.

The National Sports Awards are given on August 29 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

‘Huge inspiration’

“I am very happy. This whole journey has been more about changing the attitude of people towards disability and the hidden potential in people with disability,” Malik said. “I think the award is going to be a huge inspiration to women athletes in disability. It took 70 years for independent India to win medal in Paralympic,” she added.

While the Khel Ratna award carries a prize purse of Rs 7.5 lakh, the Arjuna awardees are given Rs 5 lakh each along with citations.

Besides the Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards, the President also gave away Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards to coaches, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure awards, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar.

List of Awardees

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Deepa Malik (para-athletics), Bajrang Punia (wrestling)

Arjuna Awards Ravindra Jadeja (cricket), Mohammed Anas Yahiya (athletics), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (football), Sonia Lather (boxing), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (hockey), S Bhaskaran (bodybuilding), Ajay Thakur (kabaddi), Anjum Moudgil (shooting), B Sai Praneeth (badminton), Tajinder Pal Singh Toor (athletics), Pramod Bhagat (para sports-badminton), Harmeet Rajul Desai (table tennis), Pooja Dhanda (wrestling), Fouaad Mirza (equestrian), Simran Singh Shergill (polo), Poonam Yadav (cricket), Swapna Burman (athletics), Sundar Singh Gurjar (para sports-athletics) and Gaurav Singh Gill (motorsports)

Dronacharya Award (regular category) Mohinder Singh Dhillon (athletics), Sandeep Gupta (table tennis) and Vimal Kumar (badminton)

Dronacharya Award (lifetime category) Sanjay Bhardwaj (cricket), Rambir Singh Khokar (kabaddi) and Mezban Patel (hockey)

Dhyan Chand Award Manoj Kumar (wrestling), C Lalremsanga (archery), Arup Basak (table tennis), Nitten Kirrtane (tennis) and Manuel Fredricks (hockey)

Source:https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/deepa-malik-basks-in-khel-ratna-glory/article29289702.ece

Human Rights Day 2020

 Human Rights Day

10 December 2020

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December every year.

    The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.

    The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Besides, it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organisations.

    This year, the United Nations has set the theme for Human Rights Day 2020 as “Recover Better -- Stand Up For Human Rights”. The theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts, according to the United Nations.

Sources:- 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/

                2. https://english.jagran.com/

CBSE Board Exam 2021: Education Minister Answers Queries on Syllabus Reduction, Postponement of Exams

 CBSE Board Exam 2021 Latest Updates: On questions of reduction of CBSE Class 10 and 12 syllabus, Pokhriyal said that the board has already reduced the 30 per cent of the syllabus. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of further reduction in the syllabus for class 10 & 12 board exams, but maintained, it will depend on the pandemic situation.

CBSE Board Exam 2021 Latest Updates: Answering questions from students over CBSE Board Exams, JEE Main and NEET 2021, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that there was no question of cancelling these exams. Nishank, however, did say that students might get more time if the coronavirus situation in the country did not improve. In a live interaction with students on Thursday, Nishank cleared doubts on the upcoming CBSE Board exams for Class 10 & Class 12. He also went on add that NEET exams will not be cancelled and his ministry was considering to conduct it online. Also Read - CBSE Board Exams 2021: From Class X, XII Datesheet to Alternative Option For Practicals, 10 Important Updates Students Must Know

Will CBSE Class 10, 12 Board be Postponed? Also Read - CBSE Exam 2021 Won’t be Held in March, Don’t Believe in Reports, Board Issues Clarification

Clearing the air around CBSE board exams 2021, the HRD Minister said that exams for Class 10 and 12 will be held for sure. However, if the pandemic situation doesn't improve, then students would be given more time, he added. Also Read - CBSE Board Exam 2021: Education Minister Answers Queries on Syllabus Reduction, Postponement of Exams | Know Latest Updates Here

Before taking questions, the minister also took a moment out to congratulate all the successful students of CBSE board exams 2020. "I congratulate all students who have successfully cleared the board exam amid pandemic," he said. Let's have a look at what he said in response to questions on the CBSE Board Exam 2021.

CBSE Syllabus Reduction

On questions of reduction of CBSE Class 10 and 12 syllabi, Pokhriyal said that the board has already reduced the 30 per cent of the syllabus. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of further reduction in the syllabus for class 10 & 12 board exams, but maintained, it will depend on the pandemic situation. He also said the new reduced syllabus was available on CBSE website.

Lab-related work, will alternatives be arranged?

Answering further questions, Pokhriyal said that in case students can't go to schools for lab-related works, then a separate decision in this regard will be issued later. "We will discuss in this regard," he said. He added that if schools cannot hold practicals, then alternatives will be arranged.

Education Minister on NEET 2021

Yes, NEET 2021 and JEE exams will be conducted, Nishank said. He also made it clear that his ministry was considering to conduct the exams online. "We postponed NEET thrice in 2020 and gave students an opportunity to change their exam centres, we could have cancelled the exam but it would have been a great loss for students and the country," the minister added. (More on NEET 2021 Exam News)

We here at India.com are in regular contact with our sources and will be updating all the latest news here. The candidates can bookmark this page as we will be posting all the CBSE related news here.

Source: https://www.india.com/education/cbse-board-exam-2021-education-minister-live-answers-queries-on-syllabus-reduction-postponement-of-exams-know-latest-updates-here-4256701/amp/

https://www.india.com/education/cbse-board-exam-2021-education-minister-live-answers-queries-on-syllabus-reduction-postponement-of-exams-know-latest-updates-here-4256701/amp/

B R Ambedkar: 10 Facts You Probably Don’t Know About the Father of the Indian Constitution

 The importance of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar in Indian polity cannot be overstated. Economist, educationist and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar fought all his life to remove discrimination, degradation and deprivation from the society.

Born on April 14, 1891, to parents Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai Murbadkar Sakpal in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, Ambedkar came from humble beginnings but he went on to become one of India’s greatest leaders.

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On his 126th birth anniversary, we bring to you 10 facts that you may not have known about him. They will help you see Baba Saheb’s legacy in a new light!

1. Ambedkar’s original name was actually Ambavadekar.

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Ambedkar original surname was Ambavadekar (derived from the name of his native village ‘Ambavade’ in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra). It was his teacher, Mahadev Ambedkar who changed his surname from ‘Ambavadekar’ to his own surname ‘Ambedkar’ in school records as he was very fond of him.

2. Ambedkar was the first Indian to pursue a doctorate in economics abroad.

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Not only in Ambedkar the first Indian to pursue an Economics doctorate degree abroad, he is also the first Ph.D in Economics and the first double doctorate holder in Economics in South Asia. He was also among the highest educated Indians of his generation.

During his three years at Columbia University, Ambedkar took twenty nine courses in economics, eleven in history, six in sociology, five in philosophy, four in anthropology, three in politics and one each in elementary French and German!

3. Ambedkar played a key role in establishment of Reserve Bank of India in 1935.

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Reserve Bank of India was conceptualised according to the guidelines presented by Ambedkar to the Hilton Young Commission (also known as Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance) in his book, The Problem of the Rupee – Its Origin and Its Solution.

Ambedkar also knew that the problem of the rupee is eventually linked to the problem of domestic inflation. In the preface to the book version of his thesis, he pointed out: “…nothing will stabilize the rupee unless we stabilize its general purchasing power”.

4. The Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 was Ambedkar’s first important crusade.

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The Mahad satyagraha of 1927 was one of the defining moments in Ambedkar’s political thought and action. Held in the small town of Mahad in Maharashtra, this satyagraha was held three years prior to Gandhi’s Dandi march. While salt was at the centre of Gandhi’s campaign, drinking water was at the core of Ambedkar’s crusade.

By leading a group of Dalits to drink water from Chavadar lake in Mahad, Ambedkar didn’t just assert the right of Dalits to take water from public water sources, he sowed the the seeds of Dalit emancipation. In his famous quote, he said,

“We are not going to the Chavadar Tank to merely drink its water. We are going to the tank to assert that we too are human beings like others. It must be clear that this meeting has been called to set up the norm of equality.”

5. Ambedkar changed the working hours in India from 14 hours to 8 hours.

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As the member for labour in the viceroy’s council from 1942 to 1946, Dr Ambedkar was instrumental in bringing about several labour reforms. He changed the working hours from 12 hours to 8 hours in the 7th session of Indian Labour Conference in New Delhi in November 1942.

He also introduced several measures for workers like dearness allowance, leave benefit, employee insurance, medical leave, equal pay for equal work, minimum wages and periodic revision of scale of pay. He also strengthened trade unions and established employment exchanges across India.

6. Ambedkar’s autobiography is used as a textbook in the Columbia University.

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A 20-page autobiographical story written by Ambedkar in 1935-36 (after his return from America and Europe), Waiting for a Visa is a book that draws from his experiences with untouchability, starting from his childhood. The book is used as a textbook in the Columbia University.

7. Ambedkar had opposed Article 370 of the Indian constitution

With members of the Drafting Committee

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Ambedkar refused to draft Article 370 of the constitution (which gives special status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir) on the grounds that it was discriminatory and against the principles of unity and integrity of the nation. Article 370 was eventually drafted by Gopalswamy Ayyangar, former Diwan to Maharajah Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir.

8. Ambedkar fought for three years to get the comprehensive Hindu Code Bill passed which gave several important rights to women.

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Ambedkar resigned from his post of the first law minister of India when the comprehensive Hindu Code Bill was dropped by the Indian parliament. The bill had two main purposes – first, to elevate the social status of Hindu women by giving them their due rights and second, to abrogate social disparities and caste inequalities.

Some of the key features of this bill were:

• Women could now inherit family property, permitting divorce and adoption of girls
• The code gave both men and women the right to divorce if the marriage was untenable.
• Widows and divorcees were given the right to remarry.
• Polygamy was outlawed
• Intercaste marriage and adoption of children of any caste would be permitted.

A staunch supporter of women’s rights, Ambedkar also said,

“I measure the progress of community by the degree of progress which women had achieved. Let every girl who marries stand by her husband, claim to be her husband’s friend and equal, and refuse to be his slave. I am sure if you follow this advice, you will bring honour and glory to yourselves.”

9. Ambedkar was the first to suggest the division of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh

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In his book (published in 1995), Thoughts on Linguistic States, Ambedkar suggested splitting Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. A good 45 years after he originally wrote the book, the split finally came with the formation of Jharkhand out of Bihar and Chhattisgarh out of Madhya Pradesh in the year 2000.

On splitting one-language states, he wrote in the book: “The number of pieces into which a state with people speaking one language should be divided into should depend upon (1) the requirements of efficient administration, (2) the needs of the different areas, (3) the sentiments of the different areas, and (4) the proportion between the majority and minority.”

10. Ambedkar’s efforts were pioneering in the development of India’s national policy for water and electricity

Ambedkar handing over the final draft of the constitution to President Rajendra Prasad on November 26, 1949

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The pioneer of multipurpose river valley projects in India, Ambedkar initiated the Damodar Valley project, the Bhakra Nangal Dam project, the Son River Valley project and Hirakud dam project. He also established the Central Water Commission to facilitate the development of irrigation projects at both the Central and the state level.

To spark the development of India’s power sector, Ambedkar also established the Central Technical Power Board (CTPB) and Central Electricity Authority to explore the potential of and establish hydel and thermal power stations. He also emphasized on the need for a grid system (which India still relies on) and well-trained electrical engineers in India.

Source:https://www.thebetterindia.com/95923/bhimrao-ambedkar-father-indian-constitution-little-known-facts-life/