And for a Friday, the day before our 70th Republic Day….. some thoughts…..
Courtesy www.indiatoday.in
First some basics. India became Independent on 15th August 1947 which means we moved away from a Constitutional Monarchy with King George VI as Head of State and Lord Mountbatten as the Governor General of India. But that was only half the story. On 28th August 1947 drafting of the Constitution commenced under the Chairmanship of Dr.B R Ambedkar and only on 26th November 1949 the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution, making it effective from 26 January 1950.
What does the Constitution guarantee? It declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic assuring its Citizens Justice, Equality, Liberty and endeavours to promote Fraternity – assures the dignity of the Individual and unity of the Nation….. absolute Constitutional supremacy in the country. Parliament cannot overrule the Constitution. Unfortunately with some corrupt Babus, corrupt Businessmen and even more corrupt Politicians at the helm, exploiting the “Mai-Baap” attitude of the poor voting classes, still use the old British hierarchical “discretionary power” mindset. If we had to identify just ONE cause why as a Nation we are still poor, to me the answer is Corruption.
Anyone and everyone has an example to narrate on how corruption exists. But lets step aside and ask ourselves, what is it that I will do? What is the one step I will take? Apart from being just Cynical and Critical of my Country, lets remember the Handwritten copy of the Indian Constitution whose each page was decorated by artists from Shantiniketan and is preserved in a “Helium filled” case in Parliament House in New Delhi. On this Republic day, let us all commit ourselves to the Constitution. Lets help build a Developed India, the Constitutional way, the Ethical way, the SEEGOS way.