Dr BR Ambedkar to get first Indian memorial in UK

LONDON: Dr B R Ambedkar will be the first Indian to have an entire home dedicated to his memory in London after India sealed a 3.1-million deal to acquire a bungalow where the Dalit icon and architect of Indian Constitution lived as a student in the 1920s.

The Maharashtra government this week completed the formalities to acquire the 10 King Henry's Road townhouse in north London where Ambedkar resided during his student days in 1921-22.

The three-storey home will now be transformed into a memorial after the state government gains possession within two-three weeks and carries out essential repair and renovation work. The memorial is expected to open to visitors by later this year or early next year.

"This property also has the distinction of being recognised as an English Heritage since 1991 and carries a blue plaque with the words 'Dr Bhimjirao Ramji Ambedkar 1891-1956, Indian Crusader for social justice lived here'.

"This property, therefore, has historic significance for all his followers and admirers, not only in India but all over the world," said Rajkumar Badole, Maharashtra's minister of social justice and special assistance.

"Our plan is that for the maintenance and use of this property as Dr Ambedkar Memorial, the government of Maharashtra would work closely with the High Commission of India," he said.

The details of the shape and form of the new memorial will now be finalised after consultations between Maharashtra government and India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Among some of the proposals under consideration for the memorial-cum-museum is a plan to use one of the floors as a transitory residence for Indian students who arrive in the UK to study.

The 2,050 square feet residential property in London went up for sale through an estate agent last year.