President Droupadi Murmu said that the Indian Constitution is a live and progressive document through which the country has achieved the goals of social justice and inclusive development.
Murmu on Tuesday addressed a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, marking the beginning of year-long celebrations to commemorate 75 years since the adoption of India’s Constitution.
The ‘Samvidhan Divas’ event saw the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Leaders of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Mallikharjuna Kharge and other prominent leaders, showcasing the significance of the occasion in India’s democratic journey.
Notably, India commemorates Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas, annually on November 26 to mark the adoption of the Constitution in 1949. During her address, the President also recalled the contribution of the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly in framing the document.
“Our Constitution is a living and progressive document. Through our Constitution, we have achieved the goals of social justice and inclusive development. Law on women reservation has started new era of women empowerment in our democracy,” added President Murmu.
Calling the Constitution the country’s holiest text, Murmu said the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly for almost three years strengthened nationalist consciousness as a single nation. She acknowledged the role of Dr Rajendra Prasad. of Dr Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee, as well as various officials involved in the process, including B N Rau.
Underlining that Dr Ambedkar gave a progressive tilt to the Constitution, Murmu also recalled the contributions of the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly. “In three years, some great people made this constitution but it was in a way a product of the values of our freedom struggle. Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity are these values, which complement one another,” the President said.
President Murmu also released translated versions of the Constitution in Sanskrit and Maithili, and there was also a ceremonial reading of the Preamble led by the President.
Earlier on Monday, the government announced that a new website — https: //constitution75. com — has been created to enable citizens to engage with the legacy of the Constitution through interactive activities and resources. Mass readings of its Preamble will take place in schools, cities and villages around the country, it added.
