C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) commemoration function at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan today, highlighting the vision, values, and enduring legacy of India’s Constitution.
C. P. Radhakrishnan said that since 2015, 26th November has been observed as Constitution Day, which has now become a celebration for every citizen of the Motherland. He said the extraordinary leaders — Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Shri N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Shri Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Shri Durga Bai Deshmukh, and other visionaries — crafted the Constitution in such a profound manner that every page reflects the soul of the nation.
He emphasized that the Constitution was drafted, debated, and adopted by some of the finest leaders of Bharat, embodying the collective wisdom, sacrifices, and dreams of millions who fought for freedom. He said the contributions of the Drafting Committee and the Members of the Constituent Assembly fulfilled the hopes and aspirations of crores of Indians and laid the foundation for Bharat to emerge as the world’s largest democracy. He added that the Constitution, born out of intellect, lived experiences, sacrifices, and aspirations, has ensured that Bharat remains united forever.
The Vice-President observed that through pragmatic and saturation-based approaches, India has achieved remarkable progress on development indicators. He stated that from modest beginnings, India has risen to become the fourth-largest economy and is soon poised to become the third-largest, drawing global attention. He added that in the last decade, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, and more than 100 crore citizens have been covered under various social security schemes — demonstrating that the impossible has been made possible.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted that democracy is not new to Bharat. He referenced historical examples from Vaishali in the north and the Chola rulers’ “kudavolai” system in the south, affirming that Bharat has long been the Mother of Democracy. He noted that no democracy can survive without the conscious participation of citizens, and the high voter turnout in recent elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Bihar reflects the people’s unwavering faith in the democratic process.
Paying tribute to the women members of the Constituent Assembly, the Vice-President recalled the words of Hansa Mehta: “What we have asked for is social justice, economic justice, and political justice.” He said the Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam enacted in 2023 is a befitting tribute to their contributions, as it ensures equal opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in nation-building. The Vice President noted the significant role and sacrifices of tribal communities in the freedom movement and in the Constituent Assembly. He added that since 2021, Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas has been commemorated to honour their contributions.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan reaffirmed that the Constitution embodies India’s strong commitment to social justice and economic empowerment for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and other weaker sections of society. He said the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity enshrined in the Preamble ensure that every citizen — regardless of caste, creed, gender, language, region, or religion — has a rightful place on the soil of Bharat.
He further stated that in a rapidly changing global economic and geopolitical environment, reforms in electoral, judicial, and financial systems are essential. He said initiatives such as One Nation–One Tax (GST) and the JAM trinity (Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) have simplified governance, enhanced ease of doing business, and ensured that benefits reach citizens directly. He urged citizens to use modern IT technologies constructively to achieve the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat, emphasizing that nation-building requires the conscious contribution of every individual.
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