The unfinished journey of a living Constitution
Every year, when we celebrate our Republic Day, it is a matter of pride, joy and fulfillment. Surviving all these years — enduring three wars, insurgencies, countless natural disasters, epidemics and what have — as a nation is no mean feat. All these years, Constitution of India has remained a beacon of light, guiding and showing path when it was pitch dark. It is also a time for national introspection. When the Constitution was adopted in 1950, it was not merely the end of the British Raj in technical terms, it was the beginning of a complex experiment in governance and in protecting the idea of India; of governing a civilisation-state democratically with collective responsibility. India went on to rebuild itself brick-by-brick as the world watched eagerly the unique Indian experiment.
Many nations that won independence along with India in the aftermath of the Second World War tumbled into dictatorships, economic mess, and their fragile democracies were quickly replaced by army rule after coups. India, though it went through tough times, endured and came out with flying colours. Seventy-six years later, the Indian Republic stands tall, vindicating that the dream the founding fathers of the Constitution envisaged has indeed not only survived but has excelled in many ways. A big credit for this goes to the Constitution, which is flexible yet firm, pluralistic, yet ensured unity and maintains a fine balance among the three pillars of the state-the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary.
To rebuild a country after the economic exploitation of colonial rule was not easy. A country that was largely illiterate, chose universal adult franchise. It adopted democracy despite the fact that it is a Western construct and requires informed and educated citizens to make the right choices. Yet, the Constituent Assembly, led by BR Ambedkar, drafted a Constitution that relied upon the acumen and wisdom of the Indian people; they may have lacked formal education, but their wisdom, gathered over centuries, guided their hand when they voted to govern themselves. Barring for the short period of ‘Emergency’ Indian democracy has survived all challenges thrown at it. India has transitioned from food scarcity to food security, from a controlled economy to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, and from diplomatic marginality to global relevance. A large chunk of the people has been lifted out of poverty; access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and digital connectivity has expanded. Yet, the Republic’s work is far from complete. Economic growth has not always translated into equitable prosperity. Inequality-of income, opportunity, and social capital-remains a pressing challenge. Social harmony is fragile, often strained by polarisation, misinformation, and identity anxieties. ‘Vande Mataram’, the eternal song of love for the motherland, which President Droupadi Murmu mentioned in her speech, must guide us forward.
Keeping the spirit of Vande Mataram alive means respecting diversity and freedom to disagree. It also means recognising that love for the motherland is best expressed through justice, empathy, and constitutional fidelity.
