Today India is celebrating the 5th Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas.
Constitution Day is celebrated in India on November 26 every year. On this day, back in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950.
November 26 was earlier commemorated as National Law Day, but the government in 2015 decided to celebrate it as Constitution Day. It is also a mark of tribute to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the first law minister of India, who played an important role in the framing of the Indian Constitution.
Activities like mock Parliament, essay and debate competitions are being organised across the country on the occasion. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also asked the affiliated schools to celebrate the day.
The day is celebrated to value and preserve the rich heritage of composite culture and to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
It is also celebrated to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all countrymen.
This year, a special joint session of Parliament will be held today as part of the year-long celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on November 26, 1949, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950. An original copy of the Constitution is kept in the Parliament library.
The special session, which will be held from 10 am to 1 pm, will also be attended by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both President and Prime Minister are likely to address the joint sitting of MPs.
Members of both the houses - Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha - will be present along with Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu will also be present.
Former presidents and prime ministers are also expected to attend the event which will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament.
In last 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Narendra Modi urged everyone to reinforce their faith in constitutional values and ideals on Constitution Day which is celebrated on November 26.
He said, "I hope that the 'Constitution Day' reinforces our obligation towards upholding constitutional ideals and values thus contributing to nation-building. After all, this was the dream of the makers of our constitution," PM Modi said.
"Our Constitution guards the rights and dignity of every citizen which has been ensured owing to the farsightedness of its architects," he added.
The government is reportedly planning to organise year-long celebrations on the occasion.
