Mhow

Mhow; Indore; Madhya Pradesh; INDIA
MONDAY 14 APRIL 2008.

The birthday of DR B.R. Ambedkar. the father of the constitution of India is celebrated 
with fervour in his birthplace Mhow. Ambedkar had nothing to do with Mhow. His father was a VCO or Viceroy Commissioned Officer (similar to a Sergeant) in a battalion of the Mahar Regiment and was posted in Mhow in 1891 when Ambedkar was born.

Thousands of Dalits from all over India visit Mhow on this day. Most of these visitors are from the Mahar community of Maharashtra - the community to which Dr. Ambedkar belonged. Political parties are quick to make hay while the sun shines. In 1991 the residents of Mhow saw Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Kanshi Ram visit their town on this day. Since that year Mhow has witnessed huge crowds on this day. Something that this small town was not used to. Successive State Governments have gone all out to provide as many facilities as they can to the visitors. This is not because of the love for Ambedkar or his philosophy but because the Dalits form a huge vote bank.  The Army and the police are on their toes this day as the crowds pour in.

The Dalits who now visit Mhow are not the subjugated lot one saw some decades ago. These are today's Indians. Educated, well dressed and tech savvy. As a matter of fact I saw less numbers of rural visitors. 

Here are some of the pictures I clicked that day: