New Delhi, 14 December 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India’s journey since adopting its Constitution in 1949 as “extraordinary,” underlining the nation’s ancient democratic heritage and its global significance.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a two-day debate marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption, Modi affirmed India’s status as both a “big democracy” and the “mother of democracy.”
“Our Constitution is the foundation of our unity,” Modi said, adding that India has resolved to become a developed nation by 2047. Achieving this vision, he noted, hinges on maintaining the country’s unity.
Reflecting on India’s post-independence democratic path, Modi said, “The Constitution has guided us to this stage, defying all doubts about our democratic future at the time of independence.”
He paid homage to the Constitution’s framers and acknowledged citizens for upholding its principles.
Citing figures like Purushottam Das Tandon and Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Modi reminded Parliament that the makers of the Constitution were deeply aware of India’s civilizational continuity. “India wasn’t born in 1947, nor did democracy begin here in 1950,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also celebrated the Constitution’s role in empowering women by granting them voting rights. “Today, we are witnessing women-led development,” he said, highlighting the recent passage of legislation ensuring reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
He lauded parliamentarians for their unanimous support of this historic law.
Modi concluded by expressing confidence in India’s democratic foundations and unity, stressing their centrality to achieving the nation’s long-term goals.
“The spirit of the Constitution remains alive through the commitment of its citizens,” he said, underlining the enduring relevance of its principles.
