“We, The People”

It was in 2015, the 125th birth anniversary year of Baba Bharat Ratna Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar that the Government of India decided to celebrate 26th November, as ‘Constitution Day’ every year. The year 2019 marked the 70th year of the adoption of the Constitution. To reiterate our gratitude to the chief architect of our Constitution, and publicise the glorious and rich composite culture and diversity of our nation, the Government is celebrating the spirit of Constitution through a series of initiatives and activities till 26th November 2020. It is a tribute to the legacy of this great man and the greatness of the Constitution. The document written over 70 years ago is the most relevant at these times for the government, judiciary and citizens alike. Withstanding its core principles of justice, liberty and equality, reminding the citizens of their fundamental duties to uphold unity and integrity, and the Directive Principles for the government, our Constitution is the guiding light for the Indian society as a whole. The Constitution of India is a result of exhaustive research and deliberations of a body of experts. These makers of our Constitution, with their foresight and wisdom, prepared a futuristic and vibrant document that reflects our ideals and aspirations on the one hand and protects the future of all Indians on the other. They are credited to bring in the best features of all the hitherto existing related documents and making it the most lengthy and detailed constitutional document in the world.
The document in itself is well equipped for future amendment provisions. It was made sure that the Constitution should neither be too rigid nor too flexible. The hundred-plus amendments over the seven decades have strengthened it further and made the constitution even more relevant in the present times.
The Preamble to the Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic and a welfare state committed to secure justice, liberty and equality for the people and for promoting fraternity, the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation. These Rights go hand-in-hand with the Fundamental Duties.
Every citizen must abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions; to cherish and follow the noble ideals of our freedom struggle; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women, and to value and preserve the rich heritage of our culture. The Rule of Law has been a core civilisational value of Indian society since ages. India has been cherishing values of trust and faith towards justice that inspire our Constitution. About 1500 archaic laws have been repealed. And speed has been demonstrated not only in doing away with irrelevant laws but also in enacting new legislation aimed at strengthening the social fabric.
The architect of our Constitution, Dr B. R. Ambedkar had said: “Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document, it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always a spirit of the age.” In legislating the rights for transgender, the law against the practice of Triple Talaq, expanding the rights of Persons with Disabilities, the government has worked with complete sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of modern society.
The ‘Constitution of India’ lies at the foundation of the world’s largest democracy. This is the supreme document in the country’s democratic framework and it continuously guides us in our endeavours.