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India celebrates Constitution Day, or National Law Day, every year on November 26 as it marks the day the Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.
It was in 2015 when the Government of India decided to establish November 26 as Constitution Day to advance “constitutional values among residents”. The day was declared in the year which marked the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution.
Constitution Day is also known as Samvidhan Divas. After India became an independent country, the Constituent Assembly entrusted the job of drafting the Constitution to a committee chaired by Dr BR Ambedkar including KM Munshi, Muhammed Saadulah, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Gopala Swami Ayyangar, N. Madhava Rao. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, was the President of the Constituent Assembly, which was established in 1946.
At the beginning of 1948, Dr Ambedkar completed the draft of the Indian Constitution and presented it in the Constituent Assembly. It was on November 26, 1949, that this draft was adopted with very few amendments. The Indian Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is observed as Republic Day.
The Constituent Assembly took almost three years to complete the important and most historic task of drafting a Constitution for Independent India. Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the world with 1,17,360 words (in the English version).
The Preamble of the Constitution of India declares the country as a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic and aims to secure justice, liberty, and equality for all citizens and promote fraternity to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.
Interesting facts about Constitution
1. The original 1950 constitution is preserved in a nitrogen-filled case at the Parliament House in New Delhi.
2. MN Roy was the first person to suggest the idea of establishing a Constituent Assembly in 1934, which eventually became an official demand of the Indian National Congress 1935.
3. The Constitution of India is also known as the ‘Bag of Borrowings’ as it has borrowed provinces from the Constitutions of various countries. However, it was drafted according to the historical perspective, geographical diversity, and cultural and traditional characteristics of India.
4. The Constitution of India, which is the longest written constitution in the world, has been handwritten and calligraphed in both Hindi and English by Prem Narain Raizada and was published by him in Dehradun.
5. The Constitution came into force with a total expenditure of around Rs 64 lakh.
6. Around 2000 amendments were made in the first draft of the constitution.
7. Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar once wanted to burn the constitution. “It is by placating the sentiments of smaller communities and smaller people who are afraid that the majority may do wrong, that the British Parliament works. Sir, my friends tell me that I have made the Constitution. But I am quite prepared to say that I shall be the first person to burn it out. I do not want it. It does not suit anybody. But whatever that may be, if our people want to carry on, they must not forget that there are majorities and there are minorities, and they simply cannot ignore the minorities by saying, “Oh, no. To recognise you is to harm democracy.” I should say that the greatest harm will come by injuring the minorities.”
8. Indian women got the right to vote after the enforcement of the Constitution of India. Earlier, they were denied this right. Only men were allowed to cast votes.
9. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India was the first person to sign the Constitution. Feroze Gandhi, the then President of the Constituent Assembly, was the last one to sign it.
10. The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, is known as the “Mini Constitution” as it has brought the most important amendments to the Indian Constitution. It changed the description of India from a “sovereign democratic republic” to a “sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic”, and also changed the words “unity of the nation” to “unity and integrity of the nation”.
Pledge:
“I, as a citizen of India, affirm my faith in the universal principle of civilized society, namely that every dispute between citizens, or groups, institutions or organizations of citizens, should be settled by peaceful means; and, in view of the growing danger to the integrity and unity of the country, I hereby pledge myself never to resort to physical violence in the case of any dispute, whether in my neighborhood or in any other part of India.”
26 నవంబర్… రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవం. 2015 నుంచి ఏటేటా ఈ రోజున రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవం జరుపుకోవడం ఆనవాయితీగా మారింది. అసలు నవంబర్ 26న రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవం ఎందుకు జరుపుకొంటారన్న అనుమానాలు, సందేహాలు చాలామందిలో ఉన్నాయి. ఎందుకో తెలుసుకోవాలంటే ఓసారి చరిత్రలోకి వెళ్లాలి. భారతదేశానికి స్వాతంత్ర్యం వచ్చింది 1947 ఆగస్ట్ 15న. మన దేశానికి రాజ్యాంగాన్ని రూపొందించేందుకు పలువురు విద్యావేత్తలు, న్యాయనిపుణులు, వివిధ రంగాల ప్రముఖులతో రాజ్యాంగ నిర్మాణ సభను ఏర్పాటు చేశారు. ప్రపంచంలోనే అతిపెద్ద ప్రజాస్వామ్య దేశమైన భారతదేశానికి రాజ్యాంగాన్ని రూపొందించడమంటే అంత సులువు కాదు. అందుకే రెండేళ్లకు పైనే సమయం పట్టింది. డాక్టర్ బీఆర్ అంబేద్కర్ నేతృత్వంలోని డ్రాఫ్ట్ కమిటీ ఆధ్వర్యంలో రాజ్యాంగం రూపొందింది. భారత రాజ్యాంగం అమల్లోకి వచ్చింది 1950 జనవరి 26న అని అందరికీ తెలుసు. అందుకే ఆ రోజున గణతంత్ర దినోత్సవం జరుపుకొంటారు. అయితే ఆ రాజ్యాంగానికి ఆమోదముద్ర పడింది మాత్రం గణతంత్ర దినోత్సవానికి సరిగ్గా రెండు నెలల ముందు. అంటే 1949 నవంబర్ 26న రాజ్యాంగాన్ని సభలో ప్రవేశపెట్టే ముందు అప్పటి రాష్ట్రపతి డాక్టర్ రాజేంద్రప్రసాద్… మహాత్మాగాంధీకి నివాళులు అర్పించి ప్రసంగించారు. రాజ్యాంగాన్ని ఆమోదించిన తర్వాత జాతీయ గీతం ‘జనగణమన’ను స్వాతంత్ర్య సమరయోధురాలు పూర్ణిమా బెనర్జీ ఆలపించారు. 1949 నవంబర్ 26న రాజ్యాంగానికి ఆమోదముద్ర పడినా… రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవం నిర్వహించలేదు. ఆ ఆనవాయితీ 2015లో మొదలైంది. ప్రతీ ఏటా నవంబర్ 26న రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవం జరుపుకోవాలని భారత ప్రభుత్వం 2015 నవంబర్ 19న గెజిట్ నోటిఫికేషన్ విడుదల చేసింది. రాజ్యాంగం గొప్పదనాన్ని తెలిపే ప్రసంగాలు, ఉపన్యాసాలు, వ్యాసరచన లాంటి కార్యక్రమాలను ప్రభుత్వాఫీసుల్లో నిర్వహించాలని సూచించింది. అలా 2015 నుంచి ప్రతీ ఏటా నవంబర్ 26న రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవం జరుపుకొంటున్నాం. రాజ్యాంగ దినోత్సవాన్ని సంవిధాన్ దివస్ అని కూడా పిలుస్తారు.
ప్రతిజ్ఞ
“భారత దేశ పౌరుడినైన నేను, పౌరులు, సమూహాలు సంస్థలు లేదా పౌర సంస్థల మధ్య ప్రతి వివాదం శాంతియుత మార్గాల ద్వారా పరిష్కరించబడాలనే నాగరిక సమాజం యొక్క సార్వత్రిక సూత్రంపై విశ్వాసాన్ని ధృవీకరిస్తూ; దేశం యొక్క సమగ్రత మరియు ఐక్యతకు పెరుగుతున్న ప్రమాదం దృష్ట్యా, భారతదేశంలోని ఏ ప్రాంతంలో నైన లేదా నా పొరుగు ప్రాంతంలో ఏదైనా వివాదం విషయంలో శారీరక హింసను ఆశ్రయించనని నేను ప్రతిజ్ఞ చేస్తున్నాను.
Year 2024 (26-11-2024)
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Polytechnic College, Yanam, celebrated Constitution Day with great enthusiasm and patriotism. The event featured a rally and the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution. The event was graced by the presence of the esteemed Regional Administrator of Yanam, Shri. R. Mounissamy, who addressed the gathering with inspiring words about the relevance of the Constitution in modern India. Principal Mr. P. Velayutham, emphasized the importance of constitutional values and democratic principles among students and the faculty. Prominent participants included NSS Programme Officer Dr. A. Jayaveeran, Office Superintendent Mr. VV Sadanala Babu, Placement Officer Mr. Naga Azmera,First Year HOD In-Charge Mr. VVLP Raju, all faculty members, and a large number of NSS volunteers. The rally served to raise awareness about the values enshrined in the Constitution and culminated in a collective reading of the Preamble, fostering a sense of unity and commitment to upholding the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The event concluded with a pledge to uphold the principles of the Constitution and contribute positively to society. – Message by Dr. A. Jayaveeran, NSS Programme Officer
Year 2025
Dear Viswanadhapalli Ji,
Namaste
26th November is a day of immense pride for every Indian. It was on this very day in 1949 that the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, a sacred document that has continued to guide the nation’s progress with clarity and conviction. That is why, nearly a decade ago, in 2015, the NDA government decided to mark 26th November as Constitution Day.
It is the power of our Constitution that enabled a person like me, coming from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the Head of the Government continuously for over 24 years. I still remember the moments in 2014, when I came to Parliament for the first time and bowed, touching the steps of the greatest temple of democracy. Again, in 2019, after the election results, when I entered the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, I bowed and placed the Constitution on my forehead as a mark of reverence. This Constitution has given several others, like me, the power to dream and the strength to work towards it.
On Constitution Day, we remember all the inspiring members of the Constituent Assembly, which was presided over by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who contributed to the making of the Constitution. We recall the efforts of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee with remarkable foresight. Several distinguished women members of the Constituent Assembly enriched the Constitution with their thoughtful interventions and visionary perspectives.
My mind goes back to the year 2010. This was when the Constitution of India completed 60 years. Sadly, the occasion did not receive the attention it deserved at a national level. But, to express our collective gratitude and commitment to the Constitution, we organised a ‘Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra’ in Gujarat. Our Constitution was placed on an elephant and I, along with several other people from different walks of life, had the honour of being part of the procession.
When the Constitution completed 75 years, we decided that this would be an extraordinary milestone for the people of India. We had the privilege of organising a special session of Parliament and launching nationwide programmes to commemorate this historic occasion. These programmes witnessed record public participation.
asons.
It marks the 150th birth anniversary of two extraordinary personalities, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Both of them made monumental contributions to our nation. Sardar Patel’s visionary leadership ensured the political unification of India. It was his inspiration and courage of conviction that guided our steps to act against Article 370 and 35(A). The Constitution of India is now fully in force in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring all constitutional rights for the people, especially the women and marginalised communities. The life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda continues to inspire India’s resolve to ensure justice, dignity and empowerment for our tribal communities.
This year, we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, whose words resonate with the collective resolve of Indians through the ages. At the same time, we commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, whose life and sacrifice continue to illuminate us with courage, compassion and strength.
All these personalities and milestones remind us of the primacy of our duties, something the Constitution also emphasises through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress. Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the duties of a citizen. He believed that a duty well performed creates a corresponding right and that real rights are a result of the performance of duty.
25 years have already passed since this century began. In just over two decades from now, we will mark 100 years since freedom from colonial rule. In 2049, it will be a hundred years since the Constitution was adopted. The policies we frame, the decisions we take today and our collective actions will shape the lives of generations to come.
Inspired by this, as we move forward to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat, we must always place our duties towards our nation foremost in our minds.
ur country has given us so much and this brings out a deep sense of gratitude from within. And, when we live with this feeling, fulfilling our duties becomes integral to our nature. To carry out our duties, it becomes imperative to put in our full capability and dedication in every task. Every action of ours should strengthen the Constitution and further national goals and interests. It is afterall our responsibility to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the framers of our Constitution. When we work with this sense of duty, our nation’s social and economic progress will multiply manifold.
Our Constitution has given us the right to vote. As citizens, it is our duty to never miss the opportunity to vote in national, state and local elections where we are registered. In order to inspire others, we can think of organising special ceremonies every 26th November in schools and colleges to celebrate those youngsters who are turning 18. This way our first-time voters will feel that in addition to being students, they are also active participants in the process of nation-building.
When we inspire our youth with a sense of responsibility and pride, they will remain committed to the values of democracy throughout their lives. This sense of commitment is the foundation of a strong nation.
Let us, on this Constitution Day, reaffirm our pledge to fulfil our duties as citizens of this great nation. In doing so, we can all contribute meaningfully to the building of a Viksit Bharat that is developed and empowered.
:Yours
Narendra Modi
