MUMBAI: ‘Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara!’ Translating into, Guru is Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Organiser and Shiva the Destroyer. The shloka further emphasizes that ‘Guru is above all and I bow with the utmost respect to him.’ Guru Purnima, which falls on July 5th, is a traditional festival where disciples respect and worship their Gurus and express gratitude. To commemorate this day further, this ‘Guru Purnima’ let us remember the teacher, Krishna Keshav Ambedkar who not only guided the most exceptional leader of all times - Dr B. R. Ambedkar but also gave him his surname, ‘Ambedkar’. 

(Also read: Meet the star cast of &TV’s ‘Ek Mahanayak Dr B R Ambedkar’ )

It is often said that teachers are pioneers in shaping a student’s future. Very few teachers show genuine emotion, care, and concern when it comes to showing selfless love and encouragement towards children, one such motivating and determined teacher in Babasaheb’s life was his Guruji - Krishna Keshav Ambedkar. In the 1800s, India was adapting to new educational patterns, and during this time, Babasaheb faced an exceedingly challenging time in school and was treated differently by school authorities and teachers. Unable to ignore the differentiated treatment and help Babasaheb progress, his Guruji took a bold step and gave him his surname, ‘Ambedkar’ to get rid of the caste identity. 

Babasaheb who was born as Bhimrao Ramji Sakpal was registered as Bhimrao Ambadawekar in school by his father Ramji because the surname came from his native village ‘Ambadawe’ in Ratnagiri district. However, because of his Guruji at school – Krishna Keshav Ambedkar, who bestowed his surname to Babasaheb which led to him being known as Bhimrao Ambedkar. 

Talking about the outstanding contribution that Babasaheb’s teacher had in his life, Jagannath Nivangune who plays Ramji Sakpal in &TV’s Ek Mahanayak Dr B.R. Ambedkar shares, “A teacher, also known as Guru is the one who prepares you to face different chapters of life. Babasaheb was fortunate to have Krishna Keshav Ambedkar as his Guruji who noticed how bright Babasaheb was and guided him towards his career path. Babasaheb was ambitious and had the quest to learn more. Despite being treated differently by fellow students, Babasaheb studied with utmost sincerity and dedication. Growing fond of Babasaheb for his intellect and hunger for education, his teacher Krishna Keshav Ambedkar changed his surname to Ambedkar.” 

&TV’s Ek Mahanayak Dr B. R Ambedkar is an inspirational story of Babasaheb and his journey from the tender age of five, to him becoming the prime architect of the Indian constitution.

(Also read: 3 life lessons everyone can learn from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar)