‘Constitution is not a Book, but a Thought and Commitment’: PM Modi

The synergy of rights and duties is what makes our Constitution special. We have rights, we have duties too,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the release of senior journalist Ram Bahadur Rai’s book Bharatiya Samvidhan: Anakahi Kahani. The book Bharatiya Samvidhan: Anakahi Kahani comes from Prabhat Prakashan. The book is dedicated to the late Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union Minister Arun Jaitley.

Noting that this book introduces readers to many aspects of the Constitution, the PM said: “The Constitution of India is not just a book, but a thought and commitment. It is also a symbol of the country’s belief in independence.”

Explaining contours of the Constitution, the PM further said that the synergy of rights and duties is what makes our Constitution special. “We have rights, we have duties too. If there is a duty, then the rights will be equally strong. That is why in the nectar of independence, today the country is talking about a sense of duty and emphasising duties.” Making an important and interesting observation, PM Modi said that the time and day have also been chosen specially for the release of this book. On this day, June 18, the first amendment of the original Constitution was signed by President Rajendra Prasad. That is, today was the first day of the democratic dynamism of our Constitution. And on this day today, we are launching this book which looks at the Constitution from a special point of view. This is the biggest strength of our constitution, which gives us inspiration for the diversity of ideas and exploration of fact-truth.

The PM expressed confidence that this book will give new thinking to the youth of the country with untold chapters from the history of Independence and the Constitution. India has been a free-minded country by nature. Root nature is not part of our core. “From the formation of the Constituent Assembly to its debate, from the adoption of the Constitution to its present stage, we have consistently seen a dynamic and progressive Constitution”. We have argued, raised questions, debated, and made changes. Our Constitution came before the people with the vision of a free India, which can fulfil the dreams of many generations of the country.

The PM further said that during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, stories of many forgotten freedom fighters and incidents related to the freedom struggle of India are coming to the fore. Lieutenant Governor Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha said that this book will give a vision to the new generation. “Ram Bahadur Raiji has touched upon those aspects of the Constitution on which it is not everyone’s business to write. Our constitution is the mirror that prevents us from wandering. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, neglected for a long time, today got the respect they deserved. That is the beauty of our Constitution. The book written by Raiji is the highest peak of consciousness.”

On this occasion, Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan said that the author is a Triveni Sangam of many ideologies. One who knows Raiji closely understands that he understands his stunning personality.

“Raiji has prepared many people like me for social life. What I think is the most correct thing about Raiji is that he is not a person, he is an institution.

On this occasion, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh also expressed his views. Senior Editor Achutanand Mishra presided over the programme, while the welcome address was given by Dr Sachidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts. This book launch was organised under the joint aegis of SGT University, Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal, Ekatma Manavdarshan Pratishthan, and Prabhat Prakashan.