**Executive Summary**
On April 14, 2026, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan delivered the 2nd Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture titled “Dr. Ambedkar as a Nation Builder: Pathways Towards Viksit Bharat” in New Delhi. The lecture highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of inclusive development, constitutional morality, and the essential role of education in social transformation. The Vice-President called for collective effort to achieve a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 through democratic dialogue and adherence to constitutional values.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Democratic Principles and Constitutional Morality**
* Democratic institutions must function through dialogue, debate, and constructive discussion rather than disruptions.
* Parliamentary discourse should lead to informed decision-making and respectful engagement.
* The Constitution of India is recognized as one of the world's most comprehensive democratic charters, rooted in justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
* A critical balance is required between liberty and equality: liberty without equality creates privilege, while equality without liberty stifles initiative.
**Dr. Ambedkar’s Intellectual and Social Contributions**
* Education is identified as the fundamental key to social transformation and the beginning of true freedom.
* Dr. Ambedkar’s intellectual work, such as "The Problem of the Rupee," demonstrated the power of knowledge to challenge colonial economic policies.
* His vision for gender equality emphasized that women’s empowerment is the true measure of societal progress.
* The development of "Panch-Teerth" sites serves as an enduring source of inspiration for future generations.
**Pathways to Viksit Bharat by 2047**
* Achieving a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047 requires a collective effort guided by democratic principles.
* A developed nation must be inclusive, equitable, innovative, and rooted in constitutional values.
* Current government initiatives regarding financial empowerment and the upliftment of underdeveloped regions are noted as aligning with Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals of social and economic democracy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Democratic Institutions and Legislators**
**Impact**
There is an emphasized expectation for these bodies to move away from parliamentary disruptions toward constructive engagement.
**Action Required**
Prioritize dialogue and debate to ensure parliamentary discourse leads to effective decision-making.
**Stakeholder: Indian Citizens**
**Impact**
Citizens are identified as the primary drivers for achieving national development goals through collective effort.
**Action Required**
Work together to build a just and inclusive society while upholding democratic ideals and constitutional values.
**Stakeholder: Younger Generations**
**Impact**
The lecture series and initiatives like the "Panch-Teerth" are intended to inspire and provide a moral foundation for the youth.
**Action Required**
Utilize education as a tool for social transformation and reconnect with the intellectual foundations of the nation.
Key Entities Referenced
Constitution of India: The fundamental democratic charter and legal framework cited as the foundation for inclusive development, justice, and constitutional morality.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The nodal ministry responsible for organizing the memorial lecture series and overseeing initiatives for social transformation and empowerment.
Viksit Bharat: The national vision and initiative for achieving a developed India by 2047, which serves as the core theme for current inclusive development efforts.
Panch-Teerth: A government initiative focused on the development of five key geographical sites associated with the life and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture: An institutionalized program aimed at reconnecting citizens with the nation's moral foundations and promoting democratic ideals among younger generations.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President Delivers 2nd Dr. Ambedkar
Memorial Lecture at Dr. Ambedkar International
Centre, New Delhi
Vice-President Highlights Dr. Ambedkar’s Vision of Inclusive
Development and Constitutional Morality
“Democratic Institutions Must Function Through Dialogue,
Debate and Constructive Discussion”: Vice President
“Liberty Without Equality Leads to Privilege, Equality Without
Liberty Stifles Initiative”: Vice-President
“Constitution of India is One of the Most Comprehensive
Democratic Charters”: Vice-President
Posted On: 14 APR 2026 6:24PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today delivered the 2nd Dr. Ambedkar Memorial
Lecture on the theme “Dr. Ambedkar as a Nation Builder: Pathways Towards Viksit Bharat” at the Dr.
Ambedkar International Centre. Earlier, he paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji
Ambedkar at the Centre on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today delivered the 2nd Dr. Ambedkar
Memorial Lecture on the theme “Dr. Ambedkar as a Nation Builder: Pathways
Towards Viksit Bharat” organized by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New… pic.twitter.com/gE7rqtdUuR
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) April 14, 2026
Extending greetings on Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti as well as festivals such as Tamil New Year and Baisakhi,
the Vice-President said that the occasion reflects India’s rich cultural diversity and unity. He described Dr.
Ambedkar as one of the greatest architects of modern India and a true nation builder whose contributions
continue to guide the Republic.
Appreciating the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for organising the lecture series, the Vice-
President noted that such initiatives would inspire younger generations to uphold democratic ideals and
constitutional values. He said the lecture provides an opportunity to reconnect with the moral and
intellectual foundations of the nation.Highlighting Dr. Ambedkar’s life journey, the Vice-President said that despite immense hardships, he
transformed challenges into opportunities through perseverance, scholarship, and commitment to justice.
He emphasised that Dr. Ambedkar firmly believed education to be the key to social transformation, stating
that true freedom begins with education.
The Vice-President underscored Dr. Ambedkar’s intellectual brilliance, noting his seminal work “The
Problem of the Rupee” and his courage in questioning colonial economic policies. He remarked that Dr.
Ambedkar demonstrated how knowledge and wisdom can challenge even the most powerful systems.
Referring to Dr. Ambedkar’s pivotal role in drafting the Constitution, the Vice-President said that through
his leadership across extensive deliberations, he laid the foundation of an inclusive India rooted in justice,
liberty, equality, and fraternity. He described the Constitution of India as one of the most comprehensive
democratic charters in the world.
Emphasising the importance of constitutional morality, the Vice-President, reflecting on his role as
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said that democratic institutions must function through dialogue, debate,
and constructive discussion. He noted that parliamentary discourse should lead to decisions rather than
disruptions, stressing the need for informed and respectful engagement.
The Vice-President highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of social and economic democracy alongside
political democracy. He referred to various initiatives undertaken in recent years under the leadership of
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi aimed at inclusive development, financial empowerment, and
upliftment of underdeveloped regions, noting that such efforts align with Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals.
He also underscored Dr. Ambedkar’s progressive vision on gender equality, recalling his emphasis on
women’s empowerment as a measure of societal progress. He highlighted the growing participation and
achievements of women across sectors and the government’s initiatives supporting women-led
development.
The Vice-President stated that the aspiration of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires collective effort
guided by constitutional values. He said that a developed India must be inclusive, equitable, innovative,
and rooted in democratic principles.
Highlighting the development of the Panch-Teerth associated with Dr. Ambedkar’s life, the Vice-President
said these sites serve as enduring sources of inspiration for future generations. He called upon citizens to
work together towards building a just and inclusive society, which would be the true tribute to Dr.
Ambedkar.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Virendra Kumar, Secretary, Department of
Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sudhansh Pant, along with scholars, dignitaries and distinguished
guests were present on the occasion.
***
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