Biography for children: BR Ambedkar as a young boy and the teachers who shaped him

There was one Brahmin teacher who took a great liking to the boy. The teacher was quite obliging, kind and affectionate. On some days, during recess time, he would offer Bhim a share of boiled rice, rotis and vegetables from his box. The teacher’s surname was Ambedkar. While Bhim’s father, that is, Ramji’s surname was Sakpal, Bhim drew his surname Ambavadekar from his native village Ambavade. The teacher liked his pupil so much that he changed Bhim’s name to Ambedkar after his own surname, in the school records. That’s how the name “Ambedkar” stuck to Bhim; it was indeed a peculiar act of kindness and appreciation of the boy’s personality by the teacher.

Bhim was doing well in his studies. He enjoyed a degree of freedom at home and indulged in his hobbies and fancies. For a brief period, he developed a fascination for gardening and spent his pocket money on buying seedlings and new plants. And then for some time, fed up with the monotonous routine and studies, he cut classes to try his hand at tending cattle and rearing goats. Once he even did some “coolie” work at Satara railway station, which, of course, invited strictures from his aunt.

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