CU Punjab Commemorates Ambedkar Jayanti with Special Lecture and Civil Services Guidance Session

Bathinda, April 18, 2025: The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CU Punjab), commemorated the 134th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by organizing a special programme under the joint aegis of the Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence (DACE), Dr. Ambedkar Chair on Human Rights and Environmental Values, and the SC/ST Cell of the University.

The programme, held under the patronage of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra Prasad Tiwari, featured a special lecture on the theme “Dr. Ambedkar and His Nationalist Thinking” and an interactive session on “Planning and Strategies for Civil Services Examination Preparation.” The keynote speakers were Dr. Rajkumar Falwaria, Joint Director of Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi, and Shri Anubhav Jain, IPS (Punjab Police, Bathinda).

In the inaugural session, Dr. Rajkumar Falwaria highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s multifaceted legacy as a nation builder, stating, “Limiting Babasaheb to any one caste undermines the vastness of his contributions. He was a visionary leader of the entire human race.” He spoke at length about Dr. Ambedkar's diverse roles as a researcher, economist, writer, editor, and champion for the rights of women and workers. He further emphasized Ambedkar’s inclusive approach to nation-building and mentioned that Babasaheb is regarded as one of the most eminent scholars in the 300-year legacy of Columbia University.

The second session focused on guiding aspirants preparing for Civil Services was introduced by Dr. Vinod Arya (Co-ordinator, DACE). IPS officer Shri Anubhav Jain shared practical strategies for cracking UPSC and State PSC exams. Drawing from his personal journey, he emphasized the importance of a disciplined routine, structured planning, time management, and staying updated with current affairs. He also shared a roadmap for exam preparation, covering optional subject selection, using NCERT books effectively, attempting mock tests, and building interview readiness.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.P. Tiwari, in his presidential address, emphasized the holistic and inclusive philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar. “Dr. Ambedkar was a visionary whose contributions laid the foundation for modern India. Understanding his ideas requires a broader perspective that goes beyond identity-based interpretations,” he remarked.

Prof. Kanhaiya Tripathi, Chair Professor of the Dr. Ambedkar Chair, welcomed the guests and elaborated on the Chair’s continuous efforts to propagate Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals across the university. Prof. Bawa Singh from SC/ST Cell, coordinated the programme proceedings.

As part of the commemorative activities, prizes were awarded to DACE students who excelled in competitions such as speech, essay writing, and poster making. The coordination team for the programme included Prof. Kanhaiya Tripathi, Prof. Bawa Singh, Dr. Vinod Arya (Coordinator, DACE), Dr. Narendra Kumar, Dr. Anand Gupta, and Dr. Ashwani Kumar.

The event witnessed vibrant participation from students, research scholars, and faculty members. Distinguished faculty members who attended this programme were Prof. Shankar Lal Bika, Dr. Sesha Deva Pani, Dr. Sandeep, Dr. Deepak Pandey, Dr. Man Singh, Dr. Manish Aggarwal, Dr. Apoorva Chaudhary, Dr. Shweta, Dr. Sakshi, Dr. Amanpreet, Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur, Jaswinder Singh, and others.

The event reaffirmed CU Punjab’s commitment to promoting the enduring values and vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar — equality, justice, and inclusive development for all.