In one of those years, tamine struck the Goregaon area. Ramjirao was deputised in one of the famine-affected areas when PWD undertook relief work. The children lived at Satara.
One day, Bheeva set out to meet his father with his brother and a cousin. The three reached Goregaon by train. There, the boys learned that the place Ramjirao was camped at was a long distance away. The boys persuaded a bullock cart driver to give them a lift as he was going to the same place. After they had travelled some distance, the boys became
chatty. They talked among themselves excitedly. As the bullock
The cart driver heard their talk, and he frowned. He turned back and asked
sharply, "Hey boys! You sound like lowly Mahars. Are you?"
The boys froze. Their hair stood on edge with fright. One of the boys managed to nod his head. The furious driver growled, "Get off my cart, you lowly creatures! Clear off!!"The terrified boys scrambled off the cart and stood on the road. The man drove his cart off, spitting abuse at the boys. The poor boys had no other option but to walk on foot.
They felt hungry and thirsty. Their bodies got so dried up that their eyes had no tears to shed. They could not go near any well to drink water for fear of getting beaten up by upper castes. They reached their destination only the next day, in pitiable condition. Ramjirao saw three ghostly kids staggering towards him. Their
Their skins had burned black, the lips were baked up, and their eyes peered out of blockholes. They looked like three scarecrows. When they came near, he realised that the scarecrows were his own children. He scooped them up in his arms and wept. All of them went into a huddle and cried for a long time. The boys told Ramjirao about their horrible experience. He hugged Bheeva and said, "Son! Now you know how important education is to you. It is the only way out of the miseries of an untouchable's life. Always remember it."Braving all the insults and hatred, Bheemrao Ambedkar marched on on the road of education. In 1904, Bheemrao passed the English fourth standard.
Meanwhile, the PW.D. godown that employed Ramjirao closed down for some reason. He was jobless again. He shifted to Mumbai, where he shared accommodation with another Mahar family in Dabak Chawl of Parel. Bheemrao got admission to Government Elphinston High School.
Old Ramjiro remarried. Bheemrao didn't like it. But he had to get reconciled. As he moved up to higher classes, he became more studious. After school, he would go to Churny Road Garden to study some educational non-course books. The same garden was visited by Marathi scholar and writer Keluskar Guruji. He talked to Bheemrao, learned the story of the untouchable boy, and became Bheemrao's friend and guide.
At last, in 1907, Bheemrao Ambedkar passed the Matriculation Examination. It was a great achievement for a Mahar boy. The entire Dabak Chawl Mahars gave him a reception.In the year 1907 itself, Ramjirao got Bheemrao to marry a 10-year-old girl, Ramabai. The entire family was living on Ram's pension. In spite of the tight financial situation, Ramirao insisted on Bheemrao joining college. Keluskar Guruji knew the situation. He took Bheemao to the presence of the Baroda king. Sayajirao Gaekwad when he vished Mumbai. He was known for helping needy students with scholarships. Guruji knew him well. He introduced Bheemrao.Ambedkar to him and briefly explained his problem, The king spoke, "So, Bheemrao Ambedkar, you wish to study? Bheemrao bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness. I am poor, and Mahar College's education will greatly help me. My father can't afford it. The king nodded. He had a knack for spotting talent. At best, the king said, "Mahar boy wants education. Good! We need educated people. I like your spirit. You will get a 20-rupee per month stipend.
from the Baroda Treasury Study well, Bheemrao Ambedkar. Bheemrao was overjoyed. He thanked the king with a feeling of gratefulness. Keluskar Guruji smiled at Bheemrao.Bheemrao Ambedkar joined Elphinston College on January 3, 1908. In this college, untouchability was almost invisible because it was a government college and the teachers were foreigners or educated Indians. The college teemed with rich or upper-class students. Bheemrao was good in English and Persian. Hence, the professors of these languages liked
Bheemrao. English professor, Mr. Muller, often lent his clothes to Bheemrao. The college had several famous professors.
He kept passing exams, just managing to scrape through. In 1912, Bheemrao graduated in the third division. He secured 280 marks out of 750. He became the first Mahar to graduate.
In spite of great financial pressure, Ramjirao always came up with money for the education of his son. It was truly a heroic effort.
Bheemrao Ambedkar always remained indebted to his father for what he did for his education.
