THE BUDDHA...............THE WORLD 533
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on the occasion of the Conversion delivered his speech in Marathi on 15th October 1956.
He said,
My all Buddhist fellows and invitees present:
Perhaps it is difficult for the thinkers to understand the significance of the place of conversion ( Deeksha ) ceremony which was performed yesterday and today morning. In their and in my opinion as well the ceremony which was held yesterday should have been held today and today’s yesterday. It is essential to know, why we have shouldered this responsibility, what was its necessity and what will be the result of it. By understanding this, the foundation of our mission will become strong. This process of understanding should have occured earlier. But few things remain so uncertain that, those happen automatically. About this ceremony the things to be happend, happened. But in spite of exchange of days, nothing is harmed.
Many people asked a question, why had you chosen Nagpur the place for this ceremony ? Why this ceremony was not performed at some other place ? A few people say that since the large platoon of R. S. S. (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is in Nagpur and just to embarass them this ceremony is being held in this city. This is not true at all. For this reason this ceremony is not being held at Nagpur. Our mission is so stupendous that every minute of life is inadequate. I do not have time to ill-omen others by scratching my nose.
The reason for choosing this place is different. Those who have studied the Buddhist history will come to know that the people who propagated Buddhism in India were the Nag people. Nag people were the fierce enemy of the Aryans. Many Fierceful battles took place between the Aryans and the NonAryans. Many examples are available in the Puranas about where the Aryans burnt the Nagas. The sage Agasti could save only one Naga. We are the descendents of him. The Naga people who tolerated the oppression needed some great man to uplift them and they found that great man in Lord Gautam Buddha. The Nagas propagated the teachings of Lord Buddha throughout India. Such are we Nagas. The major habitation of the Naga people was in and around Nagpur. Therefore this city