Dr Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath: a look inside Delhi's landmark
The Dr Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) stands at 15 Janpath in the heart of New Delhi, a short walk from Connaught Place and the Janpath area. It was built as a national memorial and research centre dedicated to the life and ideas of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
What the video shows
This is a short visual tour filmed by VoxyTalksy and uploaded on February 18, 2019. There is no commentary: the camera moves through the campus and shows the building's architecture, its open courtyards and the indoor vertical garden, which the channel's description singles out as worth seeing. The description notes that the centre is close to Janpath metro station and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it in 2017. The footage gives a calm, unhurried look at a building many Delhi visitors walk past without going in.
When it was built and by whom
According to the Press Information Bureau, the foundation stone was laid on April 20, 2015, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the centre on December 7, 2017, a day after Ambedkar's death anniversary (Mahaparinirvan Diwas, December 6). The project cost about Rs 195 crore and was completed ahead of its January 2018 target. The building was constructed by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC), and the centre is listed among the projects of the Dr Ambedkar Foundation, set up in 1992 under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The campus covers about 3.25 acres, with a built-up area of roughly 1.18 lakh square feet.
What is inside
The official description of the centre lists several facilities:
- A library and e-library giving access to a large collection of books and journals, including a Braille section
- Three auditoriums, conference halls and exhibition spaces
- A research wing focused on socio-economic transformation (DAICSET)
- A central transparent dome, a statue of the Buddha, a bronze Ashoka pillar and statues of Dr Ambedkar
The design borrows heavily from Buddhist architecture, reflecting Ambedkar's conversion to Buddhism in 1956.
Tips for visitors
- The centre hosts seminars, lectures and exhibitions through the year, especially around April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti) and December 6.
- Entry rules, timings and photography permissions can change, so check with the centre or the Dr Ambedkar Foundation before you go.
- Janpath and the nearby Central Delhi area are easy to reach by the Delhi Metro; plan your route on the DMRC app.
- If you are interested in Ambedkar's life, the Dr Ambedkar National Memorial at 26 Alipur Road, where he spent his last days, is another place to visit in Delhi.
Why it matters
For students, researchers and anyone curious about the Constitution, the DAIC is more than a monument. It is a working centre for study and discussion, set in one of the most important streets of the capital. The VoxyTalksy video is a good preview before a visit.
