Bhubaneswar: We are celebrating 76 Republic Day which emphasises the implementation of realising justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all citizens of the country as enshrined in the Constitution. Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, when India officially became a republic. Republic Day is celebrated for the establishment of democratic governance in India, where the power is vested in the people. The day also honors the contributions of the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution, including Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel and Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru.The day also reminds us the struggle for independence, the hardship and sacrifice of those martyrs for whose contribution India saw the transformation of a democratic republic.

The preamble in India’s Constitution is an introduction or preface of its objectives, philosophies and civilisation ethos. The preamble also acts like the introduction that presents the core values, principles, and history behind the creation of the Constitution. The list of the keywords in the preamble of Indian Constitution includes  Secular, Socialist, Sovereign, Democratic, Fraternity, Republic, Justice, Liberty, and Equality. The preamble focuses on striving better governance by ensuring common good of all people by ensuring social and economic justice for all. The draft preamble was written and introduced to the Constituent Assembly by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13th December 1946. Later on the Constituent Assembly adopted this draft on 22 January 1947 and came into force on 26th January 1950 , celebrated as the Republic Day of India. 

The Constitution of India came into force when the soul of Bharat was going through turbulent challenges from political aspect. Modern Indian Social Organisations were at risk. At some point of time the makers were not in favour of introducing the terms like secularism and socialism in the preamble. The Constitution was debated and discussed for around two years eleven months and seventeen days. However, the national movement was fought and for getting independence, the tragic tale of partition was framed.

While framing the preamble there was an argument to rename India as the 'Union of Indian Socialistic Republics' as if India was to imitate the  U.S.S.R. after Moulana Mohani moved an amendment to let the preamble begin with “ We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Union of Indian Socialistic Republics. However, other members were not convinced and the idea was rejected. Further when clause I of Article I was discussed ,Prof.K.T.Shah moved the amendment and inserted that ,India shall be a “Secular, Federal, Socialistic” union of States. While disproving the amendment, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar said that, the Constitution provides the mechanism for working of several States and emphasised upon that, the decision of people should be given utmost importance on how societies will function according to time and situation , we cannot impose anything upon them and destroy the democracy like this. We should not take away the liberty of people in the matter of governance and administration and decide upon what should be the social organisation in which they want to live (Ambedkar 1948,401-402).He also opined that secular and socialist principles are well protected in our Constitution. This mentions that, the makers were very much aware that instead of taking inferences from borrowed ideals, we should cultivate our own unique culture and identity. The Constitution should be framed as such where the new India would look up to it for drawing inspiration and act as catalysts of social transformation. Further, the belief system should be very strong so that, external influences cannot do any harm to our ancient civilisation. The coming generation must adhere to these fundamental principles and carry forward the legacy for building a strong national unity. The idea of democracy stood first, restored and people were given power to rule as per their free will.  

B. R. Ambedkar  also said about the preamble: “It was, indeed, a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality, and fraternity as the principles of life and which cannot be divorced from each other: Liberty cannot be divorced from equality; equality cannot be divorced from liberty. Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could become a natural course of things”.

The Constitution of India's preamble, as amended, reads as follows: It must be noted here that, every word of the preamble was discussed and debated from all aspects to take its final shape which we are seeing right now. However, the words like secular and socialist should have more deliberations and self- introspections keeping in view of the future implications. In this context, it is worth here to mention that, what Bharat faced during emergency should not be repeated thus restoring and reposing faith of future generation in making of their Bharat as per their dreams. Today’s Bharat should be a new one, the vision should be of one nation with the motto “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” means "the world is one family". Transformative initiatives are on to tap the potential of India’s youth power and empower them to be the change agents of society and contribute holistically to the nation’s development. Let’s come and join hands to make India as a developed nation by 2047 during the centenary celebration of its independence.

Let’s uphold the dignity and essence of Bharat that our Constitution makers bestowed upon us. The new India must be built with the strong foundation of Bharat taking inspiration from our rich ancient civilisation as our Constitution makers initially dreamt of. We must remember and feel proud that, our ancient Bharatiya civilisation is based upon “Sarva Dharma Samabhava” is a concept that means "equal respect for all religions".The diverse Indian culture and ethos believe in unity,peace, harmony, respect, tolerance and empathy. The whole world is looking upto Bharat to draw inspiration from its Vedas,Puranas and Upanishads.The day is not too far to see the transformation of Swarnim Bharat as Viswa Guru.

Article By: Dr.Kabita Kumari Dash

Assistant Professor-English

ITER, HSS, Siksha ‘O’Anusandhan Deemed to be University Bhubaneswar