(Photo: scheduler of Jai Bhim Saptaha 2025)

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) celebrated the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar with a transformative week-long celebration titled “Jai Bhim Saptah” — a vibrant festival of ideas, learning, and solidarity.

Jointly organized by the SC/ST Cell and the Initiative for Caste Equity (ICE) in collaboration with the SC/ST Employee Welfare Association, NSS, Central Library, and the Board of Student Welfare (BSW), and  Board For Recreational and Creative Activities (BRCA), the Saptaha ran from April 11–16, 2025, replacing the usual one-day observance with an immersive experience consisting of lectures, workshops, art exhibitions, film screenings, and more — all designed to celebrate Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy while deepening engagement with issues of equity and constitutional values.

A Week that Brought a Campus Together

Jai Bhim Saptah kicked off with a Book Exhibition and Library Visit by over 300 school children, who explored curated titles on Ambedkar’s life and ideas at the Central Library. The day also featured a blood donation camp in collaboration with Blood Connect and NSS, which saw enthusiastic participation from over 200 donors. In the evening, the powerful documentary Chaityabhumi was screened, followed by a thought-provoking discussion with director Somnath Waghmare and Dhrubo Jyoti, Senior Editor at Hindustan Times, chaired by Prof. Pravin P. Ingole (Chairperson, SC/ST cell, IIT Delhi).

(Photo – Visit of School Children to Central Library of IIT Delhi)

Caste, Mental Health, and Creative Expression

On April 12th, a panel on “Caste and Mental Health” brought together experts like Prof. Santosh Chaturvedi (NIMHANS), Divya Kandukuri (The Blue Dawn), Dr. Vaishali Sonavane (Mariwala Health Initiative), and Prof. Yashpal Jogdand (IIT Delhi), to spotlight the intersection of caste-based trauma and mental well-being. Drawing from research, activism, and lived experience, the conversation dismantled narratives that blame the marginalised individual for lack of mental strength while conveniently ignoring the social reality of caste-based discrimination. Furthermore, the conversation highlighted need for developing Dalit affirmative and social identity-based approaches to psychiatry, counselling to tackle suicide and mental health challenges among SC/ST students in higher education.

The day also featured a vibrant drawing competition for children and adults organized by the SC/ST employee welfare association, followed by the stirring performance of Neela Sooraj by Aantral Theater in the evening.

                                    (Photo – panel discussion on caste and mental health)

 

(Photo: Drawing Competition)

Building Confidence, Coming together

On April 13th, the workshop “Hear Me Roar – Academic Achievement and Building Confidence through English”, led by Dr. Aarushi Punia and Prof. Divya Dwivedi, empowered students to embrace their voices and combat linguistic shame. The evening brought the community together for a screening of the acclaimed film Jai Bhim (2018), sparking conversations on tribal communities and search for social justice. April 14th saw faculty, staff, and students mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar with a memorable visit to Sansad Bhawan where hundreds of people come together to celebrate his indelible role in shaping modern India.

Ambedkar Memorial Lecture

A highlight of the week was the Ambedkar Memorial Lecture 2025 chaired by Prof Rangan Banerjee (Director, IIT Delhi). Prof Pravin Ingole (Chairperson, SC/ST cell) welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries and shared the joint activities of the SC/ST cell and the Initiative for Caste equity over the last year and highlighted future directions. Prof Yashpal Jogdand (Faculty advisor, Initiative for caste equity) introduced the chief guest Anurag Bhaskar, Deputy Registrar at the Supreme Court of India and author of The Foresighted Ambedkar. Bhaskar spoke on “Dr. Ambedkar and the Framing of the Indian Constitution” - highlighting Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions and solidifying his rightful title as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’ through an insightful and meticulous analysis of Indian constitutional history. In his remarks, Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, appreciated the efforts of Prof Pravin Ingole (chairperson, SC/ST cell) and Prof Yashpal Jogdand (faculty advisor, Initiative for Caste Equity) and their team for successful organization of JaiBhim Saptaha. Reflecting on the legacy of Dr Ambedkar, Prof Banerjee said, “Dr Ambedkar’s visionary leadership is deeply inspiring. I hope we all walk the path he has shown to us”.

Dr Shankar Chavan (Deputy Librarian and Convenor, Organizing Committee for Celebrating Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) thanked the campus community for their enthusiastic participation and appreciated the efforts by Dr Tushar Ghadge (Consultant, ICE), Mr. Vinod Kumar (General Secretary, SC/ST Employee Welfare Association), student volunteers and representatives, and support by many officials and colleagues especially Prof T R Sreekrishnan (Deputy Director, Operations), Prof Kanika Bhal (Chair, Organizing Committee and Head, NRCVEE), and all members of the organizing committee.

(Photo – Anurag Bhaskar Delivering Ambedkar Memorial Lecture)

More than a Festival – A Movement

From the book fair on April 15th that saw over 300 books sold, to the hands-on “Print Your Preamble” screen-printing activity, a Shadow Puppet Show titled "Kahani Pani Ki: The Politics of Thirst", depicting key moments from Dr. Ambedkar's life through a powerful visual narrative, the exhibitions on the Founding Mothers of the Indian Constitution and Madhubani Art by Malvika Raj, and the deeply personal “Ambedkar-in-a-Word” wall, the campus buzzed with expression, learning, and shared purpose.

The week concluded with the emotionally charged Dignity March, a powerful show of solidarity and a call for awareness on the lived realities of the SC/ST community. Complementing this was a Caste Sensitization Workshop by the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) and the screening of Wounds of Pyre, a haunting documentary on the caste stigma and mental health challenges experienced by cremation workers at Varanasi by Babita Gautam and Sahil Walmiki.

Jai Bhim Saptah was more than a commemoration — it was a celebration of Dr Ambedkar's enduring legacy, an invitation to dialogue, and a call to action. At IIT Delhi, it marked a collective step forward toward a more just, inclusive, and empathetic academic space.

(Photo- Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director IIT Delhi participated in Print-Your-Preamble and Ambedkar-in-a-word Activity)

(Photo – Dignity March)

(Photo – Dignity March)

ENDS