http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Vadodara/Historic-Sanklap-Bhoomi-tree-gives-away/articleshow/6184529.cms
Historic Sanklap Bhoomi tree gives away
TNN, Jul 18, 2010, 10.59pm IST
VADODARA: A portion of the unique banyan tree in Sayajibaug, under
which Father of India's constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar took
resolution of equality for Indians, gave away on Sunday. A big branch
fell off the tree known as Sankalp Bhoomi and disturbed its main trunk
that slanted backwards. While Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC)
officials rushed to the spot to check the damage, members of Sankalp
Bhoomi Trust (SBT) alleged that someone had tried to fell the tree.
The tree got its name in 2006 and was identified as tree of historical
importance by VMC. It was also recently identified and marked by the
forest department among the 10 trees of historical importance in the
district. "The main trunk of this banyan tree has become weak owing to
decay. On July 14, a portion of tree weakened owing to heavy rains,
and on Sunday, that part gave away. It is a natural process," said V R
Shikhaliya, director, parks and gardens.
"This tree is very old and hence its trunk had started decaying since
last few years. We were treating it to reduce the decaying process and
the treatment will continue in coming days," he added. He, however,
ruled out any foul play.
This tree assumes lot of significance as Dr Ambedkar had taken
resolution of equality for Indians on September 23, 1917 under it.
Ambedkar later wrote India's Constitution and its first page talks
about equality.
However, members of SBT said that someone may have tried to damage the
tree. "We saw cut marks on the damaged portion and it is possible that
some miscreant may have tried to cut it. We will submit a memorandum
to collector on Monday, asking for an investigation into the incident.
We want that the tree should be preserved as it is invaluable," said
Dr RK Singh, member of SBT.
Shikhaliya, however, said that they were taking full care of the tree.
"A banyan tree's roots weaken over decades and so they fall off
naturally. But, new branches have been growing on this tree and we
hope that they grow better in coming days," he said.
Ambedkar and Baroda
In 1907, Dr Ambedkar passed his matriculation examination and entered
the University of Bombay, becoming one of the first persons of
"untouchable origin" to enter a college in India. In 1908, he entered
Elphinstone College and obtained a scholarship of Rs 25 per month from
Sir Sayaji Rao III, the erstwhile ruler of Baroda state. By 1912, he
obtained his degree in economics and political science from Bombay
University, and prepared to take up employment with the Baroda state
government.
In 1913, he received Baroda State Scholarship of 11.50 British pounds
a month for three years to join the political department of the
Columbia University as a postgraduate student. Later, in June 1917, he
was obliged to return to India as the term of his scholarship from
Baroda ended. However, he was given permission to return and submit
his thesis within four years. As his education was facilitated by the
Baroda State, he was bound to serve the state.
He was appointed as military secretary to the Gaekwad of Baroda, which
he had to quit within short time. This fiasco was described by
Ambedkar in his autobiography as "Waiting for a Visa". He stated,
"This scene of a dozen Parsis armed with sticks line before me in a
menacing mood, and myself standing before them with a terrified look
imploring for mercy, is a scene which so long a period as eighteen
years had not succeeded in fading away. I can even vividly recall it
and I never recall it without tears in my eyes. It was then for the
first time that I learnt that a person who is an untouchable to a
Hindu is also an untouchable to a Parsi". Then he tried to find ways
to make a living for his growing family. He worked as private tutor,
as an accountant, investment consulting business, but it failed when
his clients learned that he was an untouchable.
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