Also known as ‘National Law Day’, the Constitution Day, is celebrated in India on 26 November. The event is meant to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950. Since then, India functioned as a sovereign Republic.
The Preamble sets the tone and establishes ideals along which the laws are enunciated in the Constitution and the lives of the citizens to be shaped.
The Preamble reads 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 of opportunity; and to promote among them all
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.
Hence our sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic Republic proposed to establish our India on a firm footing towards development, freedom of expression, belief and social equality , economic well being, peace and prosperity. We have achieved much, thanks to the many honest and sincere leaders who represented us.
But, we have a long way to go. There are sinister forces attempting to undermine our precious Constitutional values and even remould the Constitution to fit into their communal and undemocratic agenda.
Men and women of conscience and vision should resist such visionless move and save India from political predators, economic looters, and anti-social forces.
Our children need to be educated in appreciating and living our noble Constitutional values. Our youth need to be inspired to carry forward the spirit of our freedom fighters to stand for truth and justice.
Preachers and teachers need to live and preach by the example of their lives. Politicians, as elected representatives, be watched with caution to make them perform with integrity.
Artists, writers, intellectuals, poets, media personnel need to chip in to contribute their share in helping to mould our society into a loveable and liveable one.
Our judiciary, the guardian and protector of our Constitution, should, in no way, become a willing tool of agenda-based executive or law makers.
When need be, dare to call a spade a spade to uphold the noble values of our Constitution which is the Bible of our Land!
