President Droupadi Murmu during her address to the 75th Constitution Day celebrations on Tuesday hailed the Constitution of India as a "progressive and living document," emphasizing how it has always remained relevant over the years with its transformative power for shaping the country's growth.
The central hall of Parliament was witness to the Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, wherein Vice President and Rajya Sabha Speaker Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and members from both Houses of Parliament attended.
Along with the ceremonial address, the leaders also released two books related to the Constitution, marking the historic occasion.
In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the importance of the Constitution as the "most sacred book" of the nation.
"Today, we are not just witnesses but partners in this historic event," she said.
"75 years ago, in this very Central Hall of the Parliament, this Constituent Assembly undertook the monumental task of drafting a Constitution for a newly independent country."
Felicitating the contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who himself was the chief architect of the Constitution, President Murmu added, "Baba Saheb Ambedkar left an indelible mark on our Constitution, making it progressive and all-encompassing."
She went on to reflect on the strides made in recent years, particularly for the welfare of marginalised communities.
"The government has taken several steps for the upliftment of all sections of society, especially the weaker sections. The poor are now getting their own homes, and world-class infrastructure is being developed across the country," she noted.
Our Constitution stands today as a living and progressive document that has enabled India to attain the objectives of social justice and inclusive development," she pointed out.
"The Constitution, through our Constitution, has brought to us really remarkable progress in social justice and in inclusive development," she added.
She urged all citizens to embody the constitutional ideals in their daily lives, stressing the importance of "fulfilling fundamental duties and working towards the national goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047."
"I urge all citizens to adopt these ideals, to work together towards building a prosperous and self-reliant India," said President Murmu.
Addressing the need for cooperation among branches of government, she said, "By the Constitution, it is the mandate to the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches to work together to improve the lives of ordinary citizens."
She also referred to the landmark economic reform: Goods and Services Tax as one of the major steps ahead of independence. "The biggest improvement for the economic rights of our country after independence was the introduction of GST, and in 2008, the National Revenue and Expenditure Act was given constitutional status," she noted.
The Vice President, at the event, referred to the Indian Constitution as a "masterpiece" reflecting the profound foresight and undiminishing commitment of the Constitution's framers.
"This masterpiece is a tribute to the vision and commitment of the founding fathers of our Constitution, who, over three years, shaped the nation's future with decorum and dedication, focusing on consensus and understanding," he said.
In a sharp riposte targeted at the Opposition, Dhankhar said, "Disturbances in the political discourse threaten our democratic institutions. It is time to restore the sanctity of our democratic temples through constructive dialogue, debates, and meaningful discussions to better serve our people."
He also underlined the deeper implication of the words used in the opening of the Constitution: "We the people," which, according to him, place the citizen as the absolute authority.
"The Preamble promises justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity to every citizen. It is our guiding star, especially when we face challenges, he said.
Vice President Dhankhar urged the nation further to "prioritize its duties towards sovereignty, unity, national interests, and environmental protection."
"We must commit fully to our fundamental duties, safeguard our national sovereignty, and work towards forging unity and progress," he said. Our commitment to these values is critical to achieving our vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, a nation that embodies progress, inclusion, and sustainability.
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