The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial is a major tourist attraction and figures prominently on the itinerary of the Pune Darshan tourist bus. The museum complex is a green oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of modern Pune and every day scores of Pune citizens partake of the natural treasures that abound on this idyllic haven, right next to the Symbiosis Vishbhavan on Senapati Bapat Road. It seem the citizens of Pune have taken the Dr. Ambedkar Museum and Memorial to their hearts.

Dr. Maisaheb Ambedkar had a collection of all the personal belonging of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and she was keen to establish a grand museum of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. She thought that the best way to preserve belongings would be to donate them to an organization which has the same objectives and values which Dr. Ambedkar propagated. The contents included Dr. Ambedkar ' s bed on which he breathed his last, the table & the chair which he used while writing the Constitution of India, the statue of Bhagwan Buddha before which he bowed every day, his sacred ashes and many more.

We felt that it would only be appropriate for a personality of stature to receive these artifacts. Mr. Yashwantrao Chavan kindly agreed to accept the priceless treasure on behalf of Symbiosis. The articles were formally handed over to Yashwantraoji by Mrs. Maisaheb Ambedkar at a function attended by a huge gathering on 23rd January 1985.

The saga of Dr. Ambedkar's life from his birth (14.04.1891) to his death (06.12.1956) unfolds through the medium of the rare photographs exhibited here.

Marble Bust of Dr. Ambedkar

At the center of the museum, we see a marble bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, carved in pristine white marble, the only one of its kind in India. This bust has been donated to the museum by two of his followers, Bharat Singh & Ramdas from Agra.

Personal belongings of Dr. Ambedkar

There is one enclosure wherein are articles presented to him during his travels to various places. To name the few of these include pen case, a conch shell, some chinaware, a kettle and a cup and saucer, a lamp, a statue of the Buddha and an ashtray. Babasaheb used to like having his tea in British Style, with tea in a kettle, milk and sugar separate, a habit he had picked up while he was abroad. In the same enclosure we also see a colourful Japanese umbrella presented to Babasaheb during his visit to Rangoon.

Resting Chair of Dr. Ambedkar

As we enter the museum, on the left hand side enclosure we see some chairs. Amongst these chairs one chair has significant importance. The chair in which Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar sat when he handed over the Constitution of India to the then President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Here we also see a statue of Dr. Ambedkar & the chair & table in which Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar used to sit when he framed the Constitution of India.

Dr.Ambedkar Chair

The chair on which Dr.Ambedkar sat when he handed over the Constitution of India.A special feature of the five chairs exhibited in the museum is that they have all been fitted with wheels. Dr. Ambedkar was plagued with number of ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes and found it cumbersome to move around whenever he required something. These chairs enabled him to move around and fetch things he needed.

Violin of Dr. Ambedkar

In the window close by, one of the most interesting exhibits is the violin, which Dr. Ambedkar was learning to play. This is almost an uncommon facet of his personality. He purchased this violin in Delhi and learnt to play it from the Sathe Bothers in Mumbai. There is an amusing memory attached to the Sathe Brothers who were adapt at producing a variety of sounds from the violin. Babasaheb got them to imitate animal sounds on the violin and went in to peals of laughter when they did so. He also learnt violin from Mr.Mukherjee in Delhi, but the learning session invariably ended in discussions on politics. All these memories were narrated by Maisaheb Ambedkar who used to stay here on 14th April & 6th December every year

Clothes of Dr. Ambedkar

The next enclosure houses a tall wooden stand on which hang some of the clothes of Dr.Ambedkar. Some of these include a pair of Payjamas, 2 cream coloured shirts, a pair of trousers, a Jodhpuri long coat, scarf and a cap. It was in this attire that Dr.Ambedkar delivered his historic speech at the Buddhist Conference held in Kathmandu. Nearby, also lies a pair of shoes. Maisaheb has given this pair of shoes to Mr. Waugh when he was carving statue of Dr. Ambedkar at Kumrej. Everything appears so real that one almost expects Babasaheb to emerge, his feel encased in that pair of shoes, and one is overwhelmed with emotions.

Household Articles & dining table

In the same enclosure we can also see Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar ' s dining table with plates, bowls and other utensils arranged on it. Babasaheb liked to have a breakfast of porridge, cornflakes and eggs cooked in different ways, followed by coffee, he was very fond of. He ate very little for lunch - two phulakas and a little rice. He relished mutton and fish and had a weakness for hilsa fish from Calcutta. He liked to dine in style and loved using tableware and cutlery of the kind used in hotel.

A bed on which Dr. Ambedkar breathed his last

Finally we see a bed on which Dr.Ambedkar breathed his last. Looking at the quilt, the bed and the pillows brings tears to our eyes as we can almost picturise the event and the final moments of this eminent and towering personality. Here we see the photographs of his last journey.

Traveling Kit

A little ahead, we come across three large bags bearing the initials B.R.A., which were used by Dr.Ambedkar during his journey abroad. These bags accompanied him when he traveled to Columbia & London. These bags contain more books rather than clothes. We can also find here some rubber and glass tubes brought from Kaivalyadham, which were used whenever Babasaheb required artificial respiration. Next to it lies a pair of gardening scissors, which speak for his love for gardening. Here we can also see the photograph of Dr. Ambedkar along with Ramabai.

Photographs

Next to it we come across photographs of four personalities to whom he regarded as Guru Shri. Sayajirao Gaikwad, Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Krishanaji Keshav Ambedkar Guruji. In the next triangular enclosure a big cut-out of Dr. Ambedkar attracts us. In this photograph standing on the staircase of the plane he was saying good bye to the people with a smiling face, when he was going to Columbia to receive his LL.D. degree. The LL.D. degree conferred on him at the hands of General Ei-sen-hower (President of the Columbia University, New York) says that " the honorary degree of the Doctor of Laws on Dr. Ambedkar in recognition of Drafting of Indian Constitution, Social Reformer and Valiant fighter for Human Rights " on 5th June 1952.

The statue of Dr. Ambedkar

At the entrance to the museum, on the right hand side enclosure there is a table lamp. In the same enclosure we come across a chair which Dr.Ambedkar had specially got lined with double foam. This chair was taken to the Rashtrapathi Bhavan for Dr.Ambedkar ' s use when he handed over the Constitution of India to Dr.Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India. There is also a photograph of this historical event on display.

Paper weight, Silver inkpot & Spectacles,of Dr. Ambedkar

Here, we also find two cup boards filled with Dr.Ambedkar ' s books - books that he loved and handled all the time, so fondly. He was an eminent scholar. He remained a student throughout his life. His wife Dr.Maisaheb recalls that it was an ordeal to make him keep down the books even for his meals. In the window nearby can be seen Babasaheb ' s glasses in the silver frame.Next to it is a silver inkpot presented to Dr.Ambedkar by Lord Mountbatten and lady Edwina Mountbatten when they had invited Dr.Ambedkar and his newly wedded wife Maisaheb Ambedkar for lunch. This inkpot has a portrait of the Queen of England carved on it. In the same window is a paperweight with his name inscribed in blue colour on it. On the table there is a copy of the Constitution of India. There are also rubber stamps of Dr. Ambedkar kept on the same table.

Photo Gallery in museum

As we mount the remaining stairs, we find ourselves in a circular photo-gallery with rare photographs right from 1927 to his last journey on 6th December 1956, which shows glimpses of the eventful life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most prominent and revered citizens of India. Important events of his life are unfolded through these rare photographs.

Degrees received by Dr. Ambedkar

On another stand nearby we can see various degrees, which Dr. Ambedkar had received. These include Doctor of Literature degree of Osmania University, Doctor of Laws degree of Columbia University, appointment letter of Labour Member of Viceroy ' s Executive Council. (2 July 1942). A photo of Bharat-Ratna award is also seen here.

Asthi Kalash of Dr. Ambedkar

As we mount the stairs we see a statue of the Bhagwan Buddha before which Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar bowed everyday. Below this is the asthikalash, the urn containing his sacred ashes enclosed in a glass case. The statue of the Buddha is significant because the lord is not in meditation with eyes closed, but is with eyes wide open. Babasaheb believed that this was the Buddha with the open eyes, who travelled far and wide on root enlightening people on the right way of life. It is one of the two statues he had brought from Kathmandu. Below the asthikalash we can see the coveted Bharat Ratna medal and the citation awarded to him for his meritorious service to the nation.

Letter written by Dr. Ambedkar to Mahatma Gandhi

On one stand in the museum we can see handwritten letters of Dr. Ambedkar. Amongst these one is written to Maharaja of Baroda Shri. Sayajirao Gaikwad who gave scholarships to Dr. Ambedkar for his higher studies abroad. Another letter written by Dr. Ambedkar to Mahatma Gandhi & Maharaja of Kolhapur Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj. These are some important letters amongst others.

Old Paper Cuttings

On the second stand we can see old paper cuttings about Dr. Ambedkar and his speeches. These newspaper cuttings including his views on Hindu Code Bill, paper cuttings at the time when he embarrassed Buddhism, the invitation of function of embracing Buddhism and the paper cuttings after his death.