India is set to acquire a prime property in London for an estimated 4 million pounds where B R Ambedkar, hailed as the father of the Indian Constitution and Dalit rights activist, lived as a student during the 1920s.
An “under offer” sign outside the 10 King Henry’s Road townhouse on a leafy street in Chalk Farm area of north London indicates that the sale process is nearly complete.
A blue plaque commemorates the fact that Ambedkar lived there in 1921-22 when he was studying at London School of Economics (LSE).
“It is work in progress,” confirmed a senior Indian High Commission diplomat here, who has been facilitating the process since the Maharashtra government took the decision to acquire the property.
“This is a historical moment for us because it is not just a house but has the emotions of all Indians attached to it,” Rajkumar Badole, Maharashtra’s minister of social justice and special assistance, had said during a visit to London in April.
The cost of the London property, is likely to be borne by the Maharashtra government and stands at a current estimated price of 3.2 million pounds to 4 million pounds.