NIN Pays Tribute to Ambedkar, Jagjivan Ram's Vision for Empowered India
Empowerment rooted in education, nutrition, and scientific thinking formed the cornerstone of nation-building as envisioned by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram — an approach that remains strikingly relevant in contemporary India, experts said at a reflective gathering at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)
Hyderabad:Empowerment rooted in education, nutrition, and scientific thinking formed the cornerstone of nation-building as envisioned by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram — an approach that remains strikingly relevant in contemporary India, experts said at a reflective gathering at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
At a discussion marking the birth anniversaries of Dr Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram, speakers noted that both leaders looked beyond immediate political struggles to address structural inequalities through policies focused on food, health, and access. “Dr Ambedkar prioritised scientific outlook as a tool of social transformation,” said Osmania University Vice Chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram, highlighting how both figures framed nutrition and food security as rights essential for an equitable society.
NIN Director Dr Bharati Kulkarni recalled Dr Ambedkar’s contributions not only to the Indian Constitution but also to public policy, economics, and education. She credited Dr Jagjivan Ram for laying the groundwork for India’s Green Revolution during his tenure as agriculture minister, bringing the country closer to food self-sufficiency while placing nutrition high on the national agenda.
The gathering also reflected on how both leaders viewed food access as a fundamental right. “They understood that no social progress is possible without addressing hunger and malnutrition,” said senior scientist Dr Bhanu Prakash Reddy.
