Parliamentarian and author, Shashi Tharoor’s latest book Ambedkar: A Life was recently launched at the Kitaab Kolkata event organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) at the ITC Sonar presented by Shree Cement. The event was attended by young and old bibliophiles, members of Ehsaas Women and FICCI FLO. Suhel Seth, management consultant, author, columnist and public speaker, was in an hour-long conversation with the author.

Kitab is a signature event of Prabha Khaitan Foundation conceptualised by Mr Sundeep Bhutoria which provides a forum for writers, poets, intellectuals and thinkers to launch their books and share their thoughts.

The biography of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is neither the first one nor the last, but Shashi Tharoor’s meticulously-researched work adds a new perspective to one of India’s most revered icons. In Tharoor’s own words, “Dr Ambedkar’s greatness cannot be reduced to any one of his accomplishments, because all were equally extraordinary.”

Madhuri Halwasiya, Ehsaas Women of Lucknow, introduced the author and conversationalist to the audience and Suhel Seth set the pace of the discussions stating reasons why one should read Tharoor’s book. “It is unarguably one of the finest books on Ambedkar.  First, it contextualizes the person who we have credited with the making of the Indian Constitution. Second, it paraphrases, its profiles, it puts into context the enormous intellectual struggle that Dr Ambedkar had to wage with people who were his contemporaries. Third, it also tells you that while a lot has changed, nothing has,” Seth said.

Shashi Tharoor stated a fourth reason to read the book – “The book is mercifully brief. It’s just 200 pages long. Especially in today’s Tik Tok or Whatsapp generation. So I thought it would be good to write something short and accessible to today’s young people.”

Tharoor lucidly provides a panoramic view of Ambedkar’s illustrious life while sharing deep insights and anecdotal references into his multi-faceted personality and life’s turning points – historical decisions, social ostracism and stigmas, political leanings, endless struggles and of course his strong personality which made him stand up for the causes he espoused.

Self-questioning – Why (read) Ambedkar and why now? Tharoor said, “You realize that there is probably no other Indian who has more statues of him around the country. Perhaps Gandhi might have slightly more. But there is no village in India without a bust or a statue of Ambedkar. In these circumstances, he probably is the most revered Indian. He is also somebody whose stature has grown after his death.”

Suhel Seth touched upon some of the historical landmarks like in 1927 when Ambedkar decided that he needed political weaponization to further the cause of the what was then called the depressed classes; in 1932 when Ambedkar had to ask Gandhi ji to call off his fast-unto-death, the first fissures between the two giants occurred.  Commenting on Suhel Seth’s point, Shashi Tharoor said, “When you write a biographical account of someone like Ambedkar, these are some of the romantic inflection points.”

Anindita Chatterjee, executive trustee, PKF, mentioned, “As a foundation, we are constantly promoting literature, culture and social work.”