Democracy existed in India since Vedic time: Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan

Vijayawada, November 26 (praja amaravati): Andhra Pradesh Governor Sri Biswabhusan Harichandan along with Chief Minister Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, participated in the 73rd Constitution Day celebrations at a function held in Thummalapalli Kalakshetram here on Saturday.

The programme commenced with Governor Sri Harichandan and Chief Minister Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy offering floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Founding Fathers of the Constitution of India, followed by reading out the Preamble of the Constitution by the Governor and repeated by the audience. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Sri Harichandan said that the people can never forget the contribution of the makers of the Constitution, for giving the people the principles on which we derive our freedom and equality to ensure harmony in the society. He said that this year, the Constitution Day is being celebrated with the theme ‘Bharat: Loktantra ki Janani – India: The Mother of Democracy’, to highlight the idea that the concept of democracy was prevalent in the region since the time of the Vedas. He said that India, with all its plurality is today one the world’s largest successfully working democracies, as Indians are infused with the spirit of equality, and have had a loktantrika-parampara, since the ancient Vedic times. Governor Sri Harichandan said that Dharma, the religious and moral law governing individual conduct, originated from the Vedas, is a time immemorial concept that has been the core of the Indian society, and it is one of the many sources of modern law that is shaping our society. He further said that the Constitution empowers the citizens by protecting their rights and the citizens empower the Constitution by adhering to their duties.

The Governor recalled the dark days of Emergency period, during which the Fundamental Rights, Right to Freedom of Speech etc. guaranteed by the Constitution, have been suppressed. The Governor also mentioned about the dynamic role played by India on the world stage under the leadership of Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi and his initiative to end the war between Russia and Ukraine by counselling restraint and dialogue between both the countries, by saying that it was not the era of wars.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy addressed the gathering and said that the Indian Constitution is a rule book that advocates discipline among the people and it has re-written the history of social justice of the weaker sections of the society. Deputy Chief Ministers, Ministers, Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Chairman of Legislative Council, Judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court, Advisers to Government, Chairmen of Corporations, Chairman of NTR District Zilla Parishad, Mayor of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, senior officers of the govt. and other dignitaries have attended the programme.