New Delhi: Marking 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution, the Central Government has announced a year-long program under the banner of ‘Hamara Samvidhaan, Hamara Swabhiman’ (Our Constitution, Our Pride). The initiative will kick off with a grand event at the historic Old Parliament House on November 26, coinciding with Constitution Day. President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the program, accompanied by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers, and Members of Parliament from both houses.
The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, laying the foundation for India’s governance. This milestone will be commemorated with multiple initiatives, including a nationwide collective recitation of the Constitution’s Preamble in schools.
Key Highlights of the Launch Event
A Historic Venue and Notable Dignitaries
The inaugural event will be held in the Central Hall of the Old Parliament House, where the first Constituent Assembly meeting took place on December 9, 1946. President Murmu will chair the program, with Prime Minister Modi as the special guest. Vice President Dhankhar and Speaker Birla will also address the gathering.
Commemorative Releases
As part of the celebrations, the government will unveil a commemorative coin and postage stamp dedicated to the Constitution’s legacy.
Citizen Engagement: The Role of ‘Constitution75.com’
To encourage public participation, the government has launched a dedicated website, ‘Constitution75.com’, providing citizens an opportunity to explore the rich heritage of the Indian Constitution. According to Union Culture Secretary Arunish Chawla, this platform will help connect people to the vision of the Constitution’s framers.
In addition, schools across the country will participate in collective readings of the Preamble, emphasizing the values enshrined in the Constitution.
PM Modi to Refrain from Addressing the Event
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that Prime Minister Modi will not be delivering an address during the event. Instead, speeches will be given by President Murmu, Vice President Dhankhar, and Speaker Birla. Rijiju criticized opposition parties for raising objections without verifying the program details, calling their reactions “baseless and condemnable.”
Opposition Leaders’ Concerns
The announcement comes amidst tensions, as leaders from the opposition India Alliance wrote to Speaker Om Birla, demanding that opposition leaders from both houses be allowed to speak at the celebrations. Rijiju confirmed that special seating arrangements have been made for opposition leaders on the stage but dismissed their allegations as unwarranted on such a significant occasion.
A Year to Reflect and Celebrate
The year-long campaign will feature multiple events aimed at fostering awareness about the Constitution’s principles and its impact on India’s democratic journey. Through initiatives like ‘Hamara Samvidhaan, Hamara Swabhiman’, the government aims to honor the vision of the framers and inspire the nation to uphold constitutional values in the years to come.
