The Prime Minister addressed at the book release of Shri Ram Bahadur Rai’s book ‘Bhartiya Samvidhan: Ankahi Kahani’ via a video message.

At the outset, the Prime Minister noted Shri Ram Bahadur Rai’s life-long quest for searching for new ideas and desire to bring something new before the society. He expressed the hope that the book that was released today will present the Constitution in a comprehensive manner. Shri Modi noted that it was on 18 June when President Rajendra Prasad signed the first amendment of the constitution marking the first day of the democratic dynamism of the Constitution, which, the Prime Minister said is our biggest strength.

The Prime Minister noted that “Our constitution came before us in the form of such a vision of a free India which could fulfill the dreams of many generations of the country.” He recalled that first meeting of the Constituent Assembly took place on 9 December, 1946 months before the independence indicating the confidence and belief in our eventual freedom and democracy. This shows, the Prime Minister emphasized, “the Constitution of India is not just a book. It is an idea, a commitment and a belief in freedom.”

The Prime Minister hoped that the book by Shri Rai will be in the tradition of New India’s effort to remember the forgotten thoughts to ensure that in the India of the future, consciousness of the past remains strong. He said that the book, along with the history of independence and the untold chapters of our constitution will give a new thinking to the youth of the country, broaden their discourse.

Referring to the context of the Emergency behind Shri Rai’s book, the Prime Minister said “synergy of rights and duties is what makes our constitution so special. If we have rights, we also have duties, and if we have duties, then the rights will be equally strong. That is why, in the Amrit Kaal of  Azadi, the country is talking about sense of duty and giving so much emphasis on duties.” The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for widespread awareness about the constitution. “How Gandhiji gave a leadership to the concept of our Constitution, Sardar Patel freed the Indian Constitution from communalism by abolishing the separate electoral system on the basis of religion, Dr. Ambedkar incorporating fraternity in the preamble of the constitution shaped 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', and how scholars like Dr. Rajendra Prasad tried to connect the constitution with the soul of India, this book introduces us to such untold aspects”, he added.

Dwelling upon the living nature of the constitution the Prime Minister elaborated “India has by nature been a free-thinking country. Inertia is not part of our basic nature. From the formation of the Constituent Assembly to its debates, from the adoption of the Constitution to its present stage, we have consistently seen a dynamic and progressive constitution. We have argued, raised questions, debated and made changes. I am sure that this same will continue in our masses and in the minds of the people.”

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DS