Constitution Day 2021: What you need to know about this historic day

On November 4, 1949, Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution of India moved a motion for the adoption of the draft Constitution. Pic/AFP

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India which came into effect on January 26, 1950. Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the historic event. The day is celebrated to promote constitutional values among citizens and is also known as National Law Day.

In 1934, the demand of the Constituent Assembly was made. The idea was introduced by MN Roy, a communist party leader. Then it was taken up by the Congress party and in 1940, the demand was accepted by the British government.

Before independence, the Constituent Assembly met for the first time on December 9, 1946. Dr Sachchidananda Sinha was appointed as the first president of the Constituent Assembly. The meeting continued till January 24, 1950. And on November 4, 1949, Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution of India moved a motion for the adoption of the draft Constitution.

A total of 11 sessions were convened and met for around 166 days. These two months, between the adoption and enforcement of the Indian Constitution, were deployed for thorough reading. During this period, translation from English to Hindi was also done.

In 2015 PM Narendra Modi, while laying the foundation stone for Dr BR Ambedkar's Statue of Equality memorial in Hyderabad to mark his 125th birth anniversary, declared that November 26 will be celebrated as Constitution Day to spread awareness about the Indian Constitution and its framers.

Preamble to the Constitution of India

The Preamble to the Constitution of India reads: "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."

To mark this occasion, President Kovind released the digital version of Constituent Assembly Debates, a digital version of a calligraphed copy of the Constitution and an updated version of the Constitution that includes all amendments till date. He also inaugurated an "online quiz on constitutional democracy".

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