Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar Pay Tribute to BR Ambedkar at Columbia University Amid T20 World Cup

Summary:Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar, key figures in Indian cricket, visited Columbia University in New York City to pay tribute to Dr. BR Ambedkar, an alumnus and pivotal figure in Indian history. Photos of the visit, shared by Vishal Misra, Vice Dean of Computing and AI at Columbia, went viral. Dravid and Agarkar, currently in the US for the T20 World Cup 2024, honored Ambedkar’s legacy, reflecting the deep respect for the father of the Indian Constitution. The visit highlights the intersection of sports and academia in celebrating a historical icon.

New York City – In a heartfelt gesture, Indian cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar visited Columbia University on Thursday to pay tribute to Dr. BR Ambedkar, a revered figure in Indian history and a Columbia University alumnus. Dravid, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, and Agarkar, the chief selector for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), took a moment from their busy schedule amid the T20 World Cup 2024 to honor the father of the Indian Constitution.

A viral photo shared on social media platform X by Vishal Misra, Vice Dean of Computing and AI at Columbia University, captures the poignant moment. The image shows Rahul Dravid solemnly paying his respects to the bust of Dr. Ambedkar, located in the Lehman Social Sciences Library. Alongside this, Misra also posted a picture of Ajit Agarkar, commemorating their tribute.

“Dravid and Agarkar paying their respects to the father of the Indian constitution and a Columbia PhD Dr BR Ambedkar,” Misra wrote, highlighting the significance of their visit.

In a lighter moment, Misra shared another photo of the two cricketers with a humorous caption: “No Rahul and Ajit, we cannot have the next Indian team camp here at Columbia. I told you that was a different kind of encampment back there – please!”

Dravid and Agarkar are in the United States with the Indian cricket team, participating in the T20 World Cup 2024. India began their campaign with an impressive victory against Ireland on June 5, winning by eight wickets. Their next challenge is a high-stakes match against Pakistan, scheduled for June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for equality and justice, was sculpted by Vinay Brahmesh Wagh of Bombay. It was a gift from the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organizations UK to the Southern Asian Institute of Columbia University in 1995, symbolizing Ambedkar’s enduring legacy and his connection to Columbia University, where he completed his PhD.

This visit by Dravid and Agarkar not only underscores their reverence for Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions but also bridges the worlds of sports and academia, highlighting the universal respect and admiration for one of India’s greatest social reformers.