India celebrates 62nd Republic Day - Interesting facts about 'Making of our Constitution'

Today (26th Jan 2011), India celebrates the 62nd Republic Day with joy and gaiety.  While conveying the Greetings to all the members of the group, I thought of sharing some interesting facts about the significance  of this day for the benefit of our young members. 

British Rule

First Britisher entered India in 1579.  Thereafter merchants started coming and ruled us.  In 1765, the Authority got transferred to East India Company formally.  Then British Parliament took over the  administration.  Indians started protesting the foreign rule even from the  18th century.  Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 to formally fight the foreign rulers.  After the entry of Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom movement became dynamic.  Before Independence, India was governed by various Acts enacted by British Parliament.  Government of India Act 1858, Government of India Act 1909, Government of India Act 1919 and finally the Govt. of India Act 1935 framed by British Parliament governed Indians. (These Acts became irrelevant after Independence and adoption of Indian Constitution)

Constituent Assembly formed

First day of
Constituent Assembly

After the prolonged struggle and negotiations, as a fore-runner of Independence, a 'Constituent Assembly' was formed with the members representing different regions and religions.  The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held on 9th December 1946.  Many great leaders  were part of this Assembly.  On the first day 207 members participated. 

On the first day, Acharya Kriplani, one of the respected leaders started the proceedings invoking the 'divine blessings' and proposing the name of Shri Sachchidananda Sinha (Bihar), the eldest member of the Assembly  as 'Provisional Chairman' till the Chairman was elected.  

Shri C Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) was the first member to present the credentials and sign the register to become the member of the Constituent Assembly.  

On the third day, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected as Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. The designation 'Chairman' was subsequently replaced as 'President of the Constituent Assembly'.  

India got the freedom and Independence on 15th August 1947 and this Constituent Assembly took the Governance of India from British Parliament.  Lord Mountbatten was requested by Constituent Assembly to continue as Governor General for some time.  Shri C Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) took over the Governor General on 21st June 1948 and he continued till 26th Jan 1950.  Rajaji was the first Indian Governor General of India.  After 26th Jan 1950, Governor General post was made as President of India.  Dr Rajendra Prasad become the first President of India. 

Framing Draft Constitution for India

Draft Constitution
Committee members

After Indian Independence, Constituent Assembly wanted to frame the Constitution for India. They constituted a 'Committee to draft the constitution' on 29th August 1947 with the Chairmanship of Dr B R Ambedkar.  Shri Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, Shri N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Shri K M Mushi, Shri Saiyid Mohd Saadulla, Shri B L Mitter and Shri D P Khaitan were included as  other members  of this Committee.

These eminent people drafted the Indian Constitution and presented to the Constituent Assembly on 4th November 1947.

Discussion in the Constituent Assembly

Dr Ambedkar handing over
the draft Constitution to
Dr Rajendra Prasad

The Constituent Assembly discussed this Draft Constitution in 114  sittings, spread over 2 years 11 months and 17 days thoroughly.  The final Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949.  This day is also known as National Law Day.  

Constitution document signed

On 24th January 1950, 284 members of the Constitutent Assembly signed the document and presented the official Constitution to the Nation.  Two hand written copies of our Constitution (one in English and the other in Hindi), illuminated by artists and one print copy of English Version were signed by the Members.  

After putting their signatures, all the members including Dr Rajendra Prasad (President of India Elect) and other Members sang Vandemataram and Jana Gana Mana in Chorus, symbolising a great achievement of Sovereign Independent Republic of India, after a struggle of nearly three centuries.  

If you want to read the proceedings of the Constitutent Assembly verbatim, please click the link

http://164.100.47.132/lssnew/constituent/vol12p1.html

This constitution came into force from 26th Jan 1950.  From that day, India has become a Sovereign independent Republic.  

When the new Constitution was signed by the members on 24th Jan 1950, it was drizzling outside the Parliament at Delhi.  It was considered by them as a good omen.  

This Constitutent Assembly was made as a 'Provisional Indian Parliament' from 26th Jan 1950.  The first General Election was held in 1952 and the 1st Lok Sabha was constituted.  

Indian Constitution - Some interesting facts

Indian Constitution, drafted by great visionaries, continues to be one of the best constitutions in the world.  Many global legal experts have praised our constitution.  Indian Constitution contains 22 parts, 395 articles, 12 schedules and 2 appendices.  Over a period of 62 years, the Constitution has undergone 94 amendments. 

I am writing this finer details for the benefit of all the youngsters.  The freedom and soverignity, we enjoy has not come on a single day.  Our elders have struggled and lost their life in the freedom movement spread over near 300 years.  The great Visionary leaders have also provided us a wonderful Constitution.  None of these leaders, who have signed the constitution are alive today.  

It is the responsiblity of every one of us to salute our great leaders and freedom fighters on this day and live upto their Vision. 

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Banks honoured by Action 2020 for performance under Education Loan

5th UnConference of Action 2020 Team was held at Chennai on Sunday the 23rd Jan 2011 to review the performance of various activities and to plan the future projects.  50 representatives from 25 member organisations participated. 

Awards

The first session was the review of projects and planning for future.  All the member organisations shared their views. 

Second session was devoted for Education Loan Task Force (ELTF).  State Bank of India and Indian Bank were honoured for their top performance under Education Loan in Tamilnadu and for their prompt response for the grievances 

In the post luch session (third session), a workshop was held on 'Positive Communication' by K. Srinivasan, Prime Point Foundation.

Mr S Rajasekhar, Managing Trustee of National Agro Foundation who are piloting the second green revolution movement participated.  He is the  son of Shri C Subramanian, former Union Minister and architect of Indian Green Revolution and also who opened the education to poor people, immediately after our Independence.  

Mr S S Ramasubbu, Member of Parliament and one of the top 5 performers in the current 15th Lok Sabha also participated.  He is also actively associated with our ELTF initiatives.  

Both Mr Rajasekhar and Mr Ramasubbu presented the awards to the representatives of State Bank of India and Indian Bank.

Mr S S Ramasubbu MP presented the award to State Bank of India.  Mr Ramakrishnan, Chief Manager of SBI received the Award.

Mr S Rajasekar presented the award to Indian Bank.  Mr Swaminathan, Chief Manager of Indian Bank Head Office received the award.  

K. Srinivasan, Convenor of Education Loan Task Force (ELTF) requested Mr Ramasubbu to take up with Hon'ble Finance Minister on the scant respect given by Private Banks like ICICI Bank and other banks on the education loan to poor students.  Also, he brought to his notice that interest subsidy scheme needed some more improvements to benefit the poor people. Bankers also presented their views and their experience.

Mr Ramasubbu assured ELTF and bankers that he would take up the policy matters with the Government of India for improvement of education loan scheme. He appealed to the banks to step up their education loan to the poor and deserving students for improving their living status. He also offered to start an 'education loan campaign' in his constituency with the support of all banks. 

Mr Rajasekar emphasised the importance of industry need based   education.  He is an independent director in ONGC.  He cited the example of how, he was able to introduce a new course known as 'Petroleum Engineering' in IIT, Chennai with the involvement of ONGC.  He said, such courses would benefit the country a lot, in building the nation.  In this task, he appealed to the banks to share their expertise with the industry and the educational institutions.  

Please see the photo stream:

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