Constitution Day: 10 Facts Students Should Know About The Constitution Of India

26th November, this year, marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, and only the fourth edition of the 'Constitution Day', also known as the 'Samvidhan Divas' or the 'National Law Day' since in declaration in 2015.

This year too, as part of the 70th 'Constitution Day' commemoration, the Ministry of Human Resource Development wants students in the higher education to learn about the Constitution and take a pledge to abide by the "Fundamental Duties" enshrined in it under Article 51(A) and spread awareness under the title, 'Samvidhan Se Samrasta Utsav' (Constitution to Harmony Celebration)' acknowledging the contributions of the framers of the Constitution.

The Constitution Day which is also known as Samvidhan Divas is celebrated across the country on November 26. The day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. The Constituent Assembly of India, which was founded in 1946 to formulate the Constitution of India, adopted the same on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is known as the Republic Day of India.

The Government of India started celebrating November 26 as Constitution Day from 2015. Here are some of the facts about the supreme-rule book (Constitution of India) that young minds of the country should know!

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1. The Constitution of India is believed to be the world's largest constitution with 25 parts, 448 articles and 12 schedules.

2. The Constitution of India was originally a handwritten book by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. It was written in the italic style and each page was decorated by artists from Shantiniketan.

3. Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who was the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, along with the other members took 2 years 11 months and 17 days to prepare the Constitution of India.

4. Before the Constitution was adopted, over 2,000 amendments were made to the Constitution after it was put for debate and discussion.

5. The National Emblem of India, the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, was adopted on the same day the Constitution of India came into effect, i.e., January 26, 1950.

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6. The original Constitution of India (handwritten) was signed by 284 Constituent Assembly members that included 15 women members on January 24, 1950. The Constitution came into effect after two days, i.e., January 26, 1950.

7. The Indian Constitution is called a bag of borrowings because the Drafting Committee took inspiration from various other countries' Constitutions.

8. Some of the concepts taken from other countries are
(a) Directive Principles Of State Policy (DPSP) - Ireland
(b) Five Year Plans (FYP) - USSR
(c) Liberty, Equality and Fraternity (Preamble) - France
(d) Preamble - the United States of America
(e) Fundamental Rights - American Constitution

9. The Right to Property (Article 31) was also one of the fundamental rights. However, it was deleted with the 44th Amendment in 1978.

10. The early copies of the Constitution of India were placed inside the Library of the Parliament of India in a special helium-filled case.

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