The entire country celebrates the day with utter enthusiasm and patriotism.

PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN

A proud moment when the Constitution of India came into existence is celebrated as the Indian Republic Day on 26 January every year. The day India became a republic. Since then, the Constitution of India has been the governing principle of this country.
“Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document, it is a vehicle of life, and its spirit is always the spirit of age.” Dr B R Ambedkar
The constitution was passed on 26 November 1949 in the Constituent Assembly. It was adopted on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, when the country became a republic in true sense. 26 January was selected, because it was this day in 1930 when the declaration of Indian Independence was passed. The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It is a living document, the permanent instrument which makes the government system work. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles and the duties of citizens. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world. The nation is governed on the basis of this constitution.

Dr. B R AMBEDKAR

Dr. B R Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Modern Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discriminations, while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He was independent India’s first law minister. Dr. B R Ambedkar is regarded as the chief architect of the Constitution of India, but it was the Constituent Assembly that worked under Dr. B R Ambedkar and his team that drafted the final copy of the Indian Constitution.

REPUBLIC DAY
CELEBRATIONS
IN NEW DELHI

1)    Paying tribute to soldiers and flag hoisting: The Prime Minister of India visits Amar Jawan Jyoti and gives tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their life for the nation. The National Flag is hoisted by the President of India. This is followed by the march past of the three armed forces and then the parades
and processions carried on by different states that participate in the grand show.
2)    Achievements of different departments:- Different departments of Indian organizations like electricity, telecom, aerospace, atomic energy and many more that have contributed in the development of India in past few years also participate in the show and make it known to everyone out there about their achievements.
3)    Dance performances and award ceremony:- Participants of different organizations and schools offer dance, tabloids and short skits in which they demonstrate their achievements. There are different types of folk dances performed by various groups. The President of India presents prizes and awards to brave children and people that are being referred and nominated from different parts of the country, etc.

FOLOWING ARE SOME BORROWED FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA FROM
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

1) British Constitution:
 a) Parliamentary form of government,
b) The idea of single citizenship,
c) The idea of the rule of law, etc.
2) Australian Constitution:
a) Freedom of trade and commerce within the country and between the states,
b) Concurrent list, etc.
3) United States Constitution:
a) Charter of fundamental rights,
b) Federal structure of government, etc.
4) Irish Constitution:
 a) Directive principles.
5) French Constitution:
a) Ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.
6) Canadian Constitution:
a) Distribution of powers between the central and states.
7) Constitution of Soviet Union:
a) Fundamental duties.
8) Constitution of Germany:
a) Emergency Provision.
9) Constitution of South Africa:
a) Amendment of Constitution.
10) Constitution of Japan:
a) Due procedure of law.

PREAMBLE OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

The preamble of the constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of our constitution. The hopes and aspirations of the people as well as ideals before our nation are described in the preamble in clear cut words. It may be considered as the soul of constitution.
“We, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and opportunity; FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty- sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES TO THIS CONSTITUTION’’.

The Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties are sections of the Constitution of India that prescribe the fundamental obligations of the State to its citizens and the duties of the citizens to the State.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Fundamental rights are the charter of rights contained in the Constitution of India. It guarantees civil liberties such that all Indians can lead their lives in peace and harmony as citizens of India. The fundamental rights are defined as basic human freedoms that every Indian citizen has the right to enjoy for a proper and harmonious development of personality. These rights universally apply to all citizens, irrespective of race, place of birth, religion, caste or gender.  Violation of these rights result in punishments as prescribed in the Indian Penal Code. The Fundamental Rights granted by our Constitution are given below:

1) Right to equality,
2) Right to freedom,
3) Right against exploitation,
4) Right to freedom of religion,
5) Cultural and educational rights, and
6) Right to constitutional remedies.

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

The Fundamental Duties are defined as the moral obligations of all citizens to promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India.

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES

The Directive Principles of State Policy are guide lines or principles given to the Central
 and State Governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies.

EMERGENCY
PROVISIONS OF THE
CONSTITUTION
OF INDIA

The President of India has the power to impose emergency rule in any or all the Indian States if the security of part or all of India is threatened by war or external aggression or armed rebellion or internal disturbances. Such an emergency was declared in India in 1962(Indo-China war),1971(Indo-Pakistan war) and 1975(by internal disturbances).
The President can declare three types of emergencies:
1) National Emergency,
2) State Emergency, and
3) Financial Emergency.

RESERVATIONS

Social uplift is seen to be feasible only through reservations, and not through encouraging merit and providing equal opportunity to one and all. Our Constitution uplifts the reservations to enable the downtrodden to catch up with the more fortunate.