A solo motorcycle ride was conducted by an Ambedkarite across 3 states Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, covering some of the places which hold utmost importance with the life of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Read a story of a young Ambedkarite, who travelled across 3 states in India to know Dr. Ambedkar better. Jay Bhim Ride lasted for 10 days covering 3508km.

My Jay Bhim Ride Story

The ride started on Ramabai Ambedkar Jayanti, 7th Feb 2017 from Deekshabhoomi Nagpur.  I began the ride at 8 Am in the morning and the first destination was Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. It was 11 hrs journey covering 495 KMs at a stretch from Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur to Janmabhoomi, Mhow. I reached at 7 AM in the evening. On the next day i.e. on 8th Feb, I started the ride for Vadodara, Gujarat. In the evening I reached Vadodara.  Next day, 9th Feb, I visited Sankalp Bhoomi, Babasahab’s office where he worked for Baroda state government and Laxmi Vilas Palace. It was difficult to reach Nashik on the same day hence I stayed in Vapi, Gujarat and next day early morning I started my journey for Nashik on 10th Feb afternoon I reached Nashik and there I visited Satyagrah Bhoomi, Satyagrah Chowk from where Babasaheb started the Satyagraha march for Kalaram Mandir entry and then I moved further to Yeola which is around 90KMs from Nashik City. Yeola, the Mooktibhoomi where Dr. Ambedkar stated the religion conversion saying I was born as Hindu which was not in my control but I will not die as a Hindu that is in my control.

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On 11th Feb, at dawn, I rolled on for the next destination and that was Mumbai.  The city with heavy traffic on the roads, it was a very tough in Mumbai to travel on a motorcycle with such a heavy traffic, somehow I managed to reach New Mumbai.  From there I moved towards Dadar, Chaityabhoomi, where Babasaheb Ambedkar was cremated here after his death on 6 December 1956. My wet eyes inside my helmet were blurring my view but then I wiped my tears with the thought of Ambedkarism. The heavy traffic didn’t allow me to visit other places in Mumbai so I returned to new Mumbai and on the next day, 12th Feb, I grab a chance to visit early morning to Siddhartha College and Rajgraha, Siddharth College was started in Mumbai by People’s Education Society, founded by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on 8th July 1945. From there I turned my motorcycle towards Panvel Naka, the place where Sonba Yelve waited entire life for Babasaheb with a pot of water and died.

From Panvel, Mahad was around 200km and it was around 11 am when I started to ride towards Mahad, Raigad. I reached Mahad, Raigad at around 4 pm. It was very energetic feeling to visit Krantibhoomi, the Chavdar Talav and ‘Krantistambh’, the place where Babasaheb Ambedkar publically burnt Manusmriti, law book of so-called upper castes which discriminates among people.

It was the time to proceed further the journey and I started rolling towards Mandangad, Ratnagiri. The route was not easy and it was night time. But with keeping up my spirit high I reached Mandangad. The next day destination was the native village of Dr. Ambedkar, Ambadave, a small beautiful village in the Mandangad district. Next day, on 13th Feb, early morning I started for Ambadave. It was a great morning for me on this day. I was welcomed and honored by cousin’s grandson of Dr. Ambedkar, Mr. Sudam Sakpal (Ambedkar). We had a great talk on various topics. It was a pleasure to meet him. Next destination was Vanad, Ramabai Ambedkar’s Village. I reached there and my good day extended to the best day when I meet Ramabai Ambedkar’s relative (nephew) Mr. Harshchandra Dhotre. From there I turned the bike towards Dapoli’s home of Babasaheb Ambedkar and from there I rolled on towards Kolhapur, Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj’s town. By night I managed to reach Kolhapur.

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Next day, 14th Feb was a day to explore Kolhapur and Satara. So by afternoon, I visited Bindu Chowk (a place in Kolhapur where Babasaheb Ambedkar’s first statue was installed and which was seen by Babasaheb himself) and Maangaon, Sanmaan Bhoomi, where first ‘Asprushya Parishad’ was held. And from Maangaon, I took a route to Satara, the place of interest to visit was ‘Satara High School’ (Now, Pratapsingh High School) where the original name of Bhimrao Ambadavekar was changed and registered as Bhimrao Ambedkar. This school was as it is from its establishment. Morning tea was in Kolhapur, evening Tea was in Satara now it was a time for dinner in Pune, so by taking NH 48, I speed up the accelerator to reach Pune on time.

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By Night, I reached Pune and on next day, 15th Feb I explored Pune. ‘Dehu Road’, where first Buddha Vihar was set up by Dr. Ambedkar in 1954, Talegaon Dabhade Home of Dr. Ambedkar, his second home, Yerwada Jail (Poona pact) and Bhima koregaon Monument, where Babasaheb used to go every year on 1st January. I left Pune and proceed towards Aurangabad and by night at 9 PM I reached Aurangabad and next day on 16th Feb I explored Aurangabad. Milind Mahavidyalaya was the place of interest to visit so by taking a visit to Milind Mahavidyalaya I started to roll on for my last destination, the place from where I started the Jay Bhim Ride, Deekshabhoomi Nagpur. It was 493 KMs distance between Aurangabad to Nagpur and anyhow I had to reach Nagpur by 7 PM. So with the continuous ride of 9 Hours, I successfully completed the jay Bhim Ride at the ‘Pavitra Deekshabhoomi’.

As I reached Deekshbhoomi I was overwhelmed with the surprise welcome by my parents, relatives, and friends especially, my sister, Neha Dorle. As I stepped down at the ground of Deekshabhoomi, tears rolled out from my eyes and I was unable to control my emotions.

Lessons Learnt

10 Days of Jay Bhim Yatra with traveling 3508km, it was a learning process for me to know Dr. Ambedkar better.

Jay Bhim Ride was not only a simple journey, it was more than that. Visiting every place related to Dr. Ambedkar was a different experience. When you step on the ground where Dr. Ambedkar lighted the torch of Revolution, you yourself get inspired. You try to correlate the current situation with that situation where Dr. Ambedkar struggled. This will give you positive energy, because Dr. Ambedkar changed 5000 years of the history single handedly and now we have so many sources. We just need to unite and fight together.

When I travelled the 3 states distance on my bike, it was like a meditation. When you are riding to the places related to Dr. Ambedkar, you will have only one thought, one Name and one mission in your mind and that is Dr. Ambedkar. I named my journey as ‘Jay Bhim Ride’, and the word ‘Jay Bhim’ is itself a Revolution.

The Jay Bhim Ride was a self realization for me. Jay Bhim Ride boosted my confidence to devote myself for the mission of Dr. Ambedkar.

I am Heartily Thankful to all those Bhimsainiks to whom I met through my journey. We all are linked under one name, Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Unite Educate Agitate.

Jay Bhim. Namo Buddhaya.

Author – Dr. Nikhil M. Dorle