The Constitution is the “biggest strength” that is helping the country move forward with all its diversities and vigour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, emphasising that the Indian Constitution is “open and futuristic” and that it propagates “modern vision” which can strengthen the democracy.
“A country about which it was feared that it would not be able to keep its Independence intact, which was feared to get disintegrated, is moving forward with all its vigour and diversities. And behind all this, our biggest strength is our Constitution,” said the PM, as he spoke at an event organised by the Supreme Court to celebrate the Constitution Day.
“We the people” written at the beginning of the Preamble of the Constitution, Modi said, are not just some words but a pledge and a belief. “This is the basic spirit of India, which has been the mother of democracy in the world... In today’s global circumstances, the eyes of the whole world are on India. Amid India’s rapid growth, fast-growing economy and international image, the world is looking at us with great expectations,” he added.
In his address, Modi also recalled the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and paid tributes to those who lost their lives. “Today is also the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Fourteen years back, when India was celebrating its Constitution and citizens’ rights, enemies of humanity carried out the biggest terror attack on India. I pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}In his address, Modi also recalled the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and paid tributes to those who lost their lives. “Today is also the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Fourteen years back, when India was celebrating its Constitution and citizens’ rights, enemies of humanity carried out the biggest terror attack on India. I pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Union law minister Kiren Rijiju and attorney general R Venkataramani, among others, were present at the Supreme Court auditorium during the PM’s address.
Modi highlighted that the Indian Constitution is “youth-centric”, making it important for the judiciary and the government institutions to make endeavours to increase awareness about the Constitution among the youth to inculcate the values like equality and empowerment.
Pointing out that there were as many as 15 women members in the Constituent Assembly who made several important interventions when the draft Constitution was being deliberated upon, the PM said that the youth should know about their contribution. “The faith that this will create in the Constitution will strengthen our democracy, our Constitution and the future of the country,” he stressed.
Imploring the citizens to prioritise duties over rights, Modi said that India is going to get the G20 presidency in a week and this is a very big opportunity. “It is our collective duty to enhance India’s reputation in the world as Team India, and to take India’s contribution to the world. We have to further strengthen India’s identity as the mother of democracy,” he added.
India will be assuming the G20’s year-long presidency from December 1, 2022, and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in the country in 2023. The G20 is a forum of the 20 countries (technically 19 countries and the European Union) that meets regularly to discuss the most pressing issues facing the global economy and to secure global financial stability.
In the last seven decades, Modi said, countless people from the legislature, judiciary and executive have contributed to the journey of development and expansion of the Constitution. “I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of them on behalf of the country... Today, on the Constitution Day, we pay homage to those greats who gave us our Constitution and reiterate our commitment to fulfilling their vision for our nation,” he said.
PM Modi also applauded the judiciary for taking steps for providing timely justice. “Even today, I have got the opportunity to launch e-initiatives started by the Supreme Court. I congratulate you all for this beginning, and for the efforts of ease of justice,” he said.