Indian High Commission celebrates 71st Constitution Day

India’s journey from colonial rule to a global superpower assumed full focus on Thursday evening as the Indian High Commission to TT marked it’s 71st annual Constitution Day, where it commemorated the adoption of its constitution.

Constitution Day or National Law Day is celebrated every November 26 and is regarded as the triumph of Indian democracy and society.

Speaking during his welcome address at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, Mt Hope, Indian High Commissioner Arun Kumar Sahu said since its adoption in 1949, 100 amendments have been made to the constitution, which has evolved to meet the demands of India’s changing socio-economic status.

He said a strong constitution was the basis of any democratic society and was a safeguard against political abuse. “In 1947 we were one of the poorest countries in the world with a life expectancy of only 29 years. Today we are one of the largest economies of the world with a life expectancy of 70 years. Over these years the constitution of Indian has served as a guide for our people and our needs.” Speaking with Newsday after the ceremony, Sahu said while there has been recent concerns over the persecution of Muslims and other religious groups under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, he was confident the constitution was enough to safeguard the rights of all citizens. He noted, “All the parties who want to govern the country or who are governing the country have to follow what is in the constitution. You cannot go beyond that. It is important for us, the people of India, to remember what is written and what it means in case of any confusion on interpretations of how governance is done, how political systems work. It is in that constitution.”

Also speaking at the ceremony was attorney and former speaker of the House of Representatives Nizam Mohammed, who said TT could benefit greatly from adopting some aspects of India’s constitution.