Skip to main content

Constitution day makes us remember and rethink the values that India stands for

By Dr. Kapilendra Das* 
India, also known as Bharat, was liberated from British rule and gained Independence on August 15, 1947. So every year on 15th August we celebrate Independence Day throughout the country. The Indians felt the taste of freedom, but there were no rules and regulations to govern the country for which British rules were effective up to January 25, 1950.
To govern India, the draft constitution was prepared by the Drafting Committee which was published in January 1948, and the same was finally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, the day of an important landmark in India’s journey as an independent, Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. The constitution so adopted came into force on 26 January 1950. To memorize 26 January, every year we observe Republic Day throughout India. To mark rethinking and remembrance of the day of adoption of the constitution of India, 26 November has been celebrating as “Constitution Day” (“Samvidhan Divas” or “National Law Day”).
After thirty years of November 26, 1949, the day of the adoption of the constitution (Fundamental Law) of India, a resolution was passed by the Supreme Court Bar Association in 1979 to the effect that National Law Day should be celebrated to mark the adoption of the constitution of India on November 26. Since then, this day of November 26 was being celebrated as “National Law Day” throughout India, especially by the members of the legal fraternity to provide honor to the eminent members of the constituent Assembly and to assess the state of Law in the country as envisaged by the framers of the legal document.
The Government of India decided in May 2015 to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) who is popularly known as the main Architect and Father of the Indian Constitution in a big way. As a part of the celebration, while laying the foundation stone on Ambedkar Memorial at the Indu Mills compounds in Mumbai on October 11, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that henceforth 26 November will be celebrated throughout the Nation as “Constitution Day”. The Government of India thereupon declared 26 November as "Constitution Day" on 19 November 2015 by a national gazette notification. As such 26 November is chosen as "Constitutional Day" to spread the importance of the constitution and to spread the thoughts and ideas of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Various departments of the Government of India celebrated the first Constitution Day on 26 November 2015 as a mark of tribute to India's first Law Minister Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who played a pivotal and vital role in the drafting of the constitution of India and to commemorate the adoption of the constitution. Since then, this day of November 26 has been celebrated as 'Constitution Day' throughout the nation to promote constitutional values among the citizens.
Celebrating 26th November as Constitution Day in India marks our belief in the system and the rules and regulations that govern our country. The constitution day makes us remember and rethink the values that India stands for collectively as a democratic, republic, socialist and secular country. Indian citizens adhere to the laws, rights, and principles of the constitution. A constitution if it is out of touch with the people's life, aims, and aspirations become rather empty. So the celebration of constitution day is to promote constitutional values and create awareness among the citizens.
The constitution of India is prefaced with a preamble that reflects the essence, expectations, objectives, goals, and philosophies of the Indian Constitution. The preamble is the most precious part and soul of the constitution. Which proclaims, the solemn resolution of the people of India.
The preamble to the constitution of India runs as follows:-
" WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens-
· JUSTICE, Social, Economic, and Political;
· LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship;
· EQUALITY of status and opportunity.
· FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation, IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, this Twenty-sixth day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION”
The values expressed in the preamble are objectives of the constitution of India. These are Sovereignty, Secularism, Socialism, Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Human Dignity, and the unity and integrity of the nation.
Constitution Day, also known as "Samvidhan Divas", is celebrated every year throughout the nation on the 26th November to commemorate the adoption of the constitution of India and to honor and pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other founding members of the constitution. It is a national day for all Indians and a day for our self-analysis, understanding rethinking, remembering, and protecting the constitution of India, and to keep it alive and maintain its stature and significance which guides so many millions of citizens in their search for economic, social justice and political right. As a part of the celebration of Constitution Day, every citizen of India should read the preamble through which one can see the purpose that it serves namely the declaration of (I) the source of the constitution, (2) a statement of its objectives (3) the date of its adoption.
On Constitution Day we should take the pledge, to fulfill our responsibilities towards our nation and the fundamental duties to be the duty of every citizen of India. Article 51(A) says that every citizen has been obligated to perform certain duties called fundamental duties. These are the moral obligations that promote the spirit of patriotism and the brotherhood for upholding the unity of India. These duties make a citizen of the country a responsible citizen because the citizen is the country's ladder to development. The main aim of constitution Day is to make Indian citizens aware of constitutional values. When thousands of people of India take the pledge to fulfill their duties and responsibilities towards the nation and join hands together for the development of India, the spirit of celebration of “Constitution Day” will be fruitful.
By all means, the constitution of India contains laws concerning the Government (Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary) and its relationship with people and serves as a powerful emancipation proclamation ending centuries of discrimination, and economic, political, and social exclusion for millions of people. It can be said that both the constitution and the constitution day are of great relevance to all the citizens of India even today and for the future.
“Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age”. - B.R. Ambedkar
---
*Educationalist

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.
Post a Comment
Read more

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”
Post a Comment
Read more

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.
Post a Comment
Read more

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas*  November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.  
Post a Comment
Read more

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.
59 comments
Read more

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 
26 comments
Read more

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. 
1 comment
Read more

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad*  The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.
Post a Comment
Read more

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.
Post a Comment
Read more

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor*  Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.
Post a Comment
Read more