India buys Ambedkar house
LONDON: After months of hiccups, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday purchased a house in north London where the iconic social reformer BR Ambedkar lived during his student days at the London School of Economics in the 1920s.
The £3.1 million deal was completed on behalf of the Maharashtra government by officials of the Indian high commission here. The ‘exchange of contracts’ – the final stage of a property deal in Britain – took place on Wednesday evening, official sources told HT.
The house, 10 King Henry’s Road, in Chalk Farm, north London, will now be converted into a museumcum-memorial to Ambedkar. After taking possession, it will be managed by the high commission and will also offer temporary accommodation to scholars from India.
The desire of the Maharashtra government to purchase the house was first announced by state education minister Vinod Tawde in January. Social justice minister Rajkumar Badole later visited London and carried forward the formalities, which were then prolonged in Mumbai.
“We hope the house will bring the Indian community in Britain further together. The acquisition is historical because it is not just a house but the emotions of all Indians are associated with it”, India’s deputy high commissioner Varinder Paul said.