National Constitution Day November 26 - Southernoxford

Constitution Day of India is also known as Samvidhan Divas or National Law Day or National Constitution Day.

About National Constitution Day 

26 November has its own importance in the history of independent India because on this day in 1949, the Constitution of India was adopted and it came in to effect on 26 January, 1950. Therefore, marking the dawn of a new era. To acknowledge the contribution of the framers of the Constitution and to aggravate the people regarding the prominent values, 26 November is celebrated as the 'Constitution Day'.

National Constitution Day 2019: Celebrations

In all the Government Offices or Institutions the celebrations will start by reading the 'Preamble' of the Constitution. National Campaign will also launch that focus on the fundamental duties an important feature of the Constitution. It will start on 26 November, 2019 and culminate on 26 November, 2020.

On 26 November, 2019, the 'Preamble' shall be read out in the Civil Secretariat at 11:00 AM which will be followed by people in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370 and for the first time will celebrate “Constitution Day”. Even the Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of the Departments and the Heads of all the Policy Formations shall undertake similar activity in their offices and ensure that in all the Subordinate offices 'Preamble' shall be read out on Constitution Day at 11:00 AM and pledge to the fundamental duties.

Events will be organised in New Delhi by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. At 11:00 AM mass reading of the Preamble will take place at Offices/ Establishments, PSUs, Private Organisations, Corporate bodies, etc. Several talks/Seminars are also organised on the Indian Constitution/ Duties. Extensive publicity of Mass Preamble Reading by the Ministry of I&B and State Public Relations Department will also be done.

Several campaigns are organised and pamphlets are distributed to make people aware about the meaning of the constitution.

·        Various dramas and plays are organised.

·        Seminars and lectures are also organised in the school.

·        Social media campaign etc.

Features of the Indian Constitution

When was the first time National Constitution Day or Constitution of India celebrated?

The BJP led Government in 2015 declared 26 November as Constitution Day by a gazette notification on 19 November. 

How the Constitution of India came into being?

As we know that on 15 August 1947, India became independent and on 26 January 1950, we celebrate Republic Day because on this day the Constitution of India came into effect.

In 1934, the demand of the Constituent Assembly was made. Let us tell you that M.N. Roy, a communist party leader, was the first who mooted the idea. It was taken up by the Congress party and finally, in 1940, the demand was accepted by the British government. Indians are allowed to draft the Indian Constitution in the August offer.

On 9 December 1946, the Constituent Assembly for the first time met before independence. The first president of the Constituent Assembly was Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha. Further, on 29 August 1947, a Drafting Committee was constituted to prepare a Draft Constitution with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a Chairman. On 26 November, 1949, the Committee had finished their work. On 24 January 1950, the process was completed when the members signed two handwritten copies of the document one each in Hindi and English.

The first meeting of the Assembly was in New Delhi on 9 December 1946 and last till 24 January, 1950. During this time total of 11 sessions were held and met for around 166 days. This is the period between the adoption and enforcement when thorough reading and translation from English to Hindi was done.

On 26 January, 1950, the Constitution of India came into force and became the law of the land.

What is the Preamble to the Constitution of India?

“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 of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

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 THIS CONSTITUTION.”

The Constitution of India declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizen’s justice, equality and liberty and endeavours to promote fraternity. The words 'secular' and 'socialist' were added to the preamble during the emergency in 1976.

Let us tell you that, the Indian Constitution describes the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of the government institutions. It also explains fundamental rights, directive principles and the duties of citizens. India’s constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. It took around 2 years, 11 months and 17 days to complete the Constitution.

Therefore, National Constitution Day is celebrated on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.