Context:
India celebrates Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas, on November 26.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Constitution
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Constitution Day:
- Interesting Facts about the Indian Constitution:
About Constitution Day:
- Date: Celebrated on November 26th annually.
- Significance: Marks the adoption of the Constitution of India on November 26, 1949, which came into force on January 26, 1950.
- Initiative: Instituted in 2015 to promote constitutional values among citizens.
Constituent Assembly (CA) of India:
- Formation: Established in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
- First Meeting: Held on December 9, 1946, with Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha as the Provisional President.
- Permanent Chairman: Rajendra Prasad elected on December 11, 1946.
- Duration: Took three years (1946-49) to complete the drafting process.
- Membership: Comprised 299 elected members from provincial legislative assemblies.
- Committees: Had 13 committees, including the drafting committee led by B.R. Ambedkar.
- Adoption: The Constitution was adopted in 1949, with 284 members signing it.
Interesting Facts about the Indian Constitution:
- Length: World’s longest constitution, with the original copy spanning 251 pages.
- Handwriting: Completely handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a master of calligraphic art.
- Design: Nand Lal Bose, a pioneer of modern Indian art, designed borders and adorned pages with art pieces.
- Original Manuscript: Written on parchment sheets measuring 16 x 22 inches, weighing 3.75 kg, and designed to last a thousand years.
Overall Impact:
- Cultural Heritage: Highlights the meticulous craftsmanship and artistic contributions to the creation of the Indian Constitution.
- Educational Initiative: Constitution Day serves as a platform to educate and instill constitutional values in the citizens of India.
