Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day or Samvidhan Diwas, is celebrated annually on 26th November in India.
Key Facts About Constitution Day
It commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26th November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.
- Historical Context
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- The Drafting Committee was established on 29th August 1947 by the Constituent Assembly, with B.R. Ambedkar as its Chairman.
- The Constitution came into effect on 26th January 1950, marking Republic Day.
- Government Initiative
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- On 19th November 2015, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notified the decision to celebrate 26th November as Constitution Day.
- Objective
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- The day aims to highlight the importance of the Constitution of India and the thoughts and ideas of B.R. Ambedkar, its chief architect.
Key Facts About the Constitution of India
- Length and Composition
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- The Constitution of India is the longest-written constitution of any sovereign country in the world.
- It was originally written in English and Hindi.
- Artistic Features
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- The handwritten version was created by Prem Behari Narain Raizada in calligraphy.
- Each page was artistically decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, under the guidance of Nandalal Bose.
- Timeline and Drafting
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- The framing of the Constitution took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
- The Drafting Committee consisted of seven members, chaired by B.R. Ambedkar, who is regarded as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
- Inspirations and Influences
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- The Constitution drew inspiration from the US Constitution, UK Constitution, Irish Constitution, French Constitution, Canadian Constitution, Australian Constitution, and Japanese Constitution.
- Its basic structure was influenced by the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Declaration and Principles
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- It declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.
- It ensures justice, equality, liberty, and promotes fraternity among citizens.
