Constitution Day is observed on November 26 to commemorate the adoption of India’s Constitution. Samvidhan Diwas is another name for the day. The Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, but it didn’t take effect until January 26, 1950. The Constituent Assembly had met on November 26, 1949, and the passing of the Constitution was greeted with loud and prolonged cheers and thumping of desks.

Also Read | This day that year: Dr BR Ambedkar was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1990

In his speech before putting the motion to pass the Constitution, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and said, “I shall only hope that all those whose good fortune it may be to work this Constitution in future, will remember that it was a unique victory which we achieved by unique method taught by the Father of the Nation, and it is upto us to preserve and protect the Independence that we have won and to make it really bear fruit for the man in the street.”

While the constitution was the result of the efforts of many leaders, B R Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee, was its chief architect. He was also India’s first Law and Justice Minister.

Also Read | For how many generations reservations will continue, asks SC

Here are some inspirational quotes by Dr. Ambedkar that help understand the true meaning of democracy and independence as the country celebrates Constitution Day 2021:

“Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of…social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life…”

 “Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards fellow men”

“The Constitution can provide only the organs of State such as the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The factors on which the working of those organs of the State depend are the people and the political parties they will set up as their instruments to carry out their wishes and their politics.”

 “However good a constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad. However bad a constitution may be, if those implementing it are good, it will prove to be good”

 “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved”