Celebration of Constitution Day By

Embassy of India, Djibouti

01 December 2019

Your Excellency Mr. Abdo Sikieh Dirieh (Member of National Assembly of Republic of Djibouti)

Mr. Ai Dini (President of the Bar Council Djibouti)

Distinguished Guests, Friends from Djibouti and Members of Indian Community.

I am glad to welcome you all to celebrate the Constitution day of India. This celebration was due on 26 November; however, it was postponed due to unprecedented recent floods in Djibouti. We extend our sympathy and support to the people and government of Djibouti to come out successfully form this natural calamity. We celebrate Constituting Day to uphold the values of our democracy and our Constitution, the values that uphold the supremacy of the people of India, the ultimate sovereign.

India won Freedom after a long struggle from the British rule on August 15, 1947. Our freedom movement was largely a peaceful one and guided by the Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. India adopted Constitution on November 26, 1949, and it came in enforcement on January 26, 1950, which India celebrates as Republic Day. It is the largest written constitution in the world,

1 which establishes India as a democratic state. The inception of the Indian Constitution in 1950 was a significant event in not only the political history of India but also a historic moment to deliver socio-economic justice and guarding of human rights.

The drafting of such a challenging document entrusted by the Constituent Assembly to a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar the ‘Architect of the Indian Constitution’.

India faced extraordinary challenges at the time of her Independence. On one hand, India got freedom from the British rule and on other; it was divided into two countries. There was a challenged to ensuring the safety and well-being of millions were displaced by partition and associated communal violence and uncertainty. India is a nation of exceptional diversity of religions, languages, castes and classes. Another daunting task was the integration of states divided between British Raj and Princely states and others completely autonomous. It took considerable efforts to bring their representation in the constituent assembly and their integration in India under the wise and farsighted guidance of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

While preparing the draft of the constitution, the members of the Constituent Assembly drew encouragement and inspiration from the experiences of other nations – including the UK, the USA, Canada, Ireland and Australia, the areas where they succeeded and where they failed and tried to create, a document suited to Indian conditions and Indian challenges.

The Constitution included a separate chapter on the Fundamental Rights, classified under the six categories- Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational rights and Right to constitutional remedies. These rights ensured the protection of downtrodden and depressed classes through the principle of Equality before Law and prohibited discrimination by the state on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth etc.,

Dr. Ambedkar outlined the relevance of the constitution in few words, and I quote, "Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life." I unquote.

Another prominent feature of Indian Constitution is the provision of Directive Principles of the state policy, setting out the ideals and goals of the Indian states. The Constitution also clearly demarcates Legislature and Executive Wings, an independent judiciary, Adult Franchise (right to vote to every citizen above 18 years), Independent Institutions, like an Election Commission are very pillar of India’s successful democracy.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, when he tabled the Constitution before the Constituent Assembly has said, and I quote, “I will not recall the features of the Constitution, because I am of the view that no matter how powerful or strong a Constitution is, it will ultimately

3 prove fatal, if the people implementing it are irresponsible. On the same hand, no matter how bad a Constitution is, it will ultimately prove beneficial for the people, if the people bringing it into effect are responsible and duty bound.” I unquote.

Overcoming numerous social and financial obstacles, Dr. Ambedkar became one of the first man from untouchable (downtrodden society) community to obtain a college education in India. Eventually earning law degree and doctorates for his study and research in law, economics and political science from Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He realized from his own bitter experience that without proper constitutional safeguards in favour of the marginalized sections, they could not eat the fruits of freedom. Therefore, in the opening paragraph of the Preamble, the first five words are, "we, the people of India," meaning that the constitution belongs to all of us, regardless of the State or Union territory you are from, religion you belong to, whether you are a male or female, or whether young, senior or disabled citizen.

Babasaheb Ambedkar also underlined the importance of creating not just a political democracy but also a social and economic one. He was the Protagonist of Industrial modernization based on economic reforms and technological upgradation His Ph. D thesis was inspired to set up for the Finance commission of India and his works helped a lot in framing guidelines for the Reserve Bank of India RBI Act. He was one of the founders of Employment Exchange in our Country. He also played a vital

4 role in establishment of National Power Grid System, Central Water Irrigation Commission.

The Indian Constitution has come a long way in the progress of India in not only making it one of the fastest growing economy, third largest scientific and technical manpower in the world but a leading global power with a largest functional democracy.

The celebration of constitution day goes far beyond cherishing the past it is a day also for educating the people all over the world about this great document, the genius of the framers of our constitution, to appreciate the history of our Nation and to instill pride and patriotism for our great democracy.

In the context of India and Djibouti, both countries have found peace, harmony and development on the premises of Constitution and Democracy. Both India and Djibouti in their constitutions have three basic divisions with regard to division of work and powers in their administration set up known as Executive, Legislature and Judiciary with clear cut ‘Separation of Powers’ Each division has been entrusted with a separate power. The executive governs the country, the legislature enacts laws and the judiciary administers justice.

Some of the basic human rights which are also outlined in Indian constitution like Equality before Law, Freedom from Discrimination, Right to Life, Liberty and Personal Security, Right to Free Movement, Right to Marriage and Family, Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion, Right to Peaceful Assembly

5 and Association have found a place in the Constitution of Djibouti as well. Djibouti, despite its diverse population has witnessed peace and harmony over the years through its policy of inclusiveness and the proper implementation of constitutional principle for an Equal and a Just society.

The historically cordial friendship between India and Djibouti have resulted in the establishment of this Mission, which promises to move enter into a new era of cooperation and support. I would also like to use this podium to inform the people of Djibouti that Indian Embassy in Djibouti is fully functional. The issuance of visa and passport services are also operative and there is now no need to reach out to Indian Embassy in Ethiopia.

I would like to thank the government of Djibouti and its people for unstinted support to our endeavor and further strengthening our bond of friendship. I am confident that with the growing friendship between the people of the two countries, the bilateral relations will continue to flourish and achieve new heights and would lead to more progress and prosperity for both India and Djibouti.

Thank You very much for listening me.