Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Constitution Day celebrations begin; President inaugurates two days’ All India Presiding Officers’ Conference at Kevadia, Gujarat
The President, Vice-President and Lok Sabha Speaker address the Conference on the first day today
The nation is celebrating the Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Diwas  on 26th November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. Every year as part of the celebrations, a number of activities aimed at highlighting and reiterating the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution are organised.
As a part of Constitution Day celebrations this year, a two days’ All India Presiding Officers’ Conference has been organised at Kevadia, Gujarat. The Conference was inaugurated by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind today and was also addressed by the Vice-President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla. The theme of this year’s conference is “Harmonious coordination between Legislature, Executive and Judiciary-Key to a Vibrant Democracy”.
Addressing at the inaugural, the President said in a Parliamentary Democracy, the opposition also has an important role along with the ruling party, and, therefore harmony, cooperation and meaningful deliberation between the two is necessary. It is responsibility of Presiding Officers to provide congenial atmosphere for a healthy debate to the people’s representatives in the House and to encourage courteous dialogue and discussion. In the last few decades, expectations, aspirations and awareness of the general public have been on the rise. Therefore, the role and responsibilities of Parliament and Legislatures have come into focus even more. Peoples’ representatives are expected to remain true to the principles of democracy. The biggest challenge before democratic institutions and peoples’ representatives is to live up to the expectations of the people.
Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu said that all three organs - the legislature, executive and judiciary should show mutual respect by respecting the sanctity of each other’s jurisdictions. "I prefer to call the Presiding Officers as the high priests of the temple of democracy. You are mandated to uphold the sanctity of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple of democracy" the Vice President added.
The Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla said "the Constitution Day is the occasion to reflect on our duties as enshrined in our Constitution and pledge to follow the path shown by our great leaders. We stand for the welfare, thoughts, hopes and wishes of the citizens". He added that people’s representatives should perform their duties by remaining sincere towards values enshrined in the Constitution.
On this occasion, the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani, recalled the stellar role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in creating a united India. He also mentioned about the role played by Kanhaiyalal Munshi and Hansa Mehta in framing of the Constitution as members of the Constituent Assembly from Gujarat.
The Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla inaugurated a multi-media exhibition which has been set up jointly at the Presiding Officers’ Conference by the ‘Bureau of Outreach Communication’, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with ‘Parliamentary Museum & Archives’. The exhibition traces the journey of democratic tradition in our country, right from Vedic Times through the Lichchavi period to the making of Modern Democratic India.
Earlier today, the Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Thawar Chand Gehlot released a unique documentary “Illustrations and Calligraphy in the Constitution of India” to mark the Constitution Day in New Delhi. This is a documentary citing the relevance of the varied illustrations used in the Constitution with their respective parts. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment is the Nodal Department to coordinate the celebrations.
An important part of the Constitution Day celebrations is the reading of the Preamble to the Constitution and reaffirming our commitment to uphold its ideology which will be led by the President of India at 11 AM on 26th November. All the Ministries/Departments, Government of India and Autonomous Bodies, Subordinate Offices, associated Organisations and Institutions including Educational Institutions will carry out simultaneous Preamble Reading at their end.
67 Ministries/Departments & Organisations are organising more than 200 activities including webinars, exhibitions, Essay Competition, Poster Competition, Quiz Competition, Slogan Competition, Regional Webinars, E-banners, Digital Exhibition & Talks, releasing of video & audio spot, publication of articles in Newspapers, discussions on the fundamental duties of citizens among others.