The National Conference on “The Living Constitution: 75 Years of Democracy, Dignity and Development”, organised by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, concluded today at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC), New Delhi, marking the grand finale of the nationwide commemoration of 75 Years of the Adoption of the Constitution of India (Samvidhan @75).

The conference opened with insightful addresses by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India (Retd.), the Secretary of DAF, the Additional Secretary, and senior leaders of the Ministry. The speakers highlighted the Constitution as a dynamic text that continues to guide India’s democratic evolution, developmental priorities, and social justice frameworks.

The inaugural also showcased a special exhibition curated by the National Archives of India, featuring rare documents, photographs, and archival materials from the Constitution-making period, offering a rich historical perspective to the participants.

The conference hosted two intellectually stimulating panel discussions:

Panel Discussion – I

“The Living Constitution in Action: Democracy, Dignity and Development in the 21st Century”
Distinguished Vice-Chancellors, professors of law, and senior advocates examined the evolution of constitutional interpretation, democratic resilience, the rights framework, and the challenges posed by technological and social transitions.

Panel Discussion – II

“Constitutional Pathways to Social Justice and Inclusive Development: Realising Dr. Ambedkar vision in Contemporary India” Experts in public law, social policy, and digital governance discussed constitutional mechanisms for achieving inclusion, bridging digital divides, empowering marginalised communities, and moving towards Viksit Bharat 2047 guided by Ambedkarite principles.

More than 700 participants, including Dr. Ambedkar Chair Professors, Assistant Professors, Doctoral Fellows, and final-year university students from colleges across Delhi, attended the Conference. Their active engagement added vibrancy and depth to the day-long deliberations.

The Hon’ble Minister extended special appreciation to Secretary Shri Amit Yadav, for his exceptional leadership and his pivotal contributions to the Ministry. His tenure has been marked by administrative reforms, digital transformation, and renewed institutional outreach. Additional Secretary, DoSJE, for strengthening coordination among Dr. Ambedkar Chairs and enhancing academic and research engagements nationwide. Dr. Ambedkar Foundation's leadership, including Shri V. Apparao, Member Secretary, and Shri Manoj Tiwari, Director, for their exemplary efforts in organising the national conference and coordinating the year-long celebrations with precision, discipline, and vision.

One of the most significant highlights of the conference was the release of the book “One India through Digital India”, authored by Prof. James Stephen Meka, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair Professor, Andhra University. The book was formally released by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India (Retd.), who praised the work for its relevance, clarity, and its focus on digital empowerment as a constitutional tool for bridging socio-economic divides. He emphasized that Digital India is not merely a technological mission but an instrument for strengthening democratic participation and constitutional inclusion.

During the valedictory session, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launched the First Phase of the “Consolidation of All Portals of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE)”, a flagship initiative aimed at unifying multiple digital platforms of the Ministry into a single integrated interface.

The Minister highlighted that this consolidated system is a transformative step in digital governance, improving transparency, user accessibility, data convergence, and service delivery. He noted that the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has set a benchmark for other ministries with this pioneering digital integration.

The National Conference concluded with a renewed national commitment to uphold constitutional values and ensure that democracy, dignity, and development continue to guide India’s collective future. The event served as a fitting tribute to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s enduring legacy and reaffirmed the Constitution as India’s guiding force for the century ahead.

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KV           

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