Namaskar,
Your Excellency, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Former Secretary General of Lok Sabha, Dr Subhash Kashyap,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
- It is a pleasure to welcome you all today as we celebrate the 70 years of the adoption of our Constitution – a landmark day on our national calendar. My special thanks to Dr. Kashyap, a very renowned expert on the Indian Constitution, for joining us today
on this occasion.
- November 26, 1949 marks the day when our founding fathers subscribed to the constitutional document. In 2015, to coincide with the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, remembered as the ‘Chief Architect of the Constitution’, the government decided
to celebrate this day as Constitution Day.
- The Indian Constitution as many of you know, is more than just a set of articles and schedules. It represents our hopes and aspirations; an ideal of the society that we are striving to be. The Constitution is a fundamental part of the lives of Indians –
showing us direction in tough times. It is a matter of pride that our Constitution has continued to thrive in the last seven decades. Thanks to the flexibility envisioned in this ‘living’ document that has allowed it to be amended and constructively applied
for changing times.
- Today, we celebrate not only a milestone in India’s democratic journey, but also chart out our path for the future. As we work towards realizing the dream of a New India, the teachings of the Constitution have become even more relevant.
Excellencies,
- To commemorate the 70th year of our Constitution in a befitting manner, my Ministry is organizing a series of activities and events across the world. The objective is to enhance awareness about the Constitution; reinforce the obligation towards upholding
democratic ideals; and understand the rights and responsibilities that it gives us. As Prime Minister reminded us at the function of the Parliament at the Central Hall this morning, democracy is deeply rooted in India’s history, institutions & ethos. It would
therefore be a guiding factor as we engage the world.
- Today is also the anniversary of the horrific assault on our democratic freedoms. The Mumbai terror attacks 11 years ago are forever etched in India’s collective memory. Terrorism remains the single biggest threat to international peace and security and
all those who stand for democracy, constitutionalism and human rights must stand together in our fight against this menace.
- I thank all of you today High Commissioners, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Community for your presence here and I invite you to join us in this celebration of universal values by sharing experiences and creating newer paths in constitutional
governance.
Thank you very much.