Salient Features & Preamble
Preamble as the soul and identity card of the Constitution, key terms (Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic), and foundational features.
1. The Preamble: Identity Card & Soul of the Constitution
The American Constitution was the first in the world to begin with a Preamble. Many countries, including India, followed this practice.
Eminent jurist and constitutional expert N.A. Palkhivala called the Preamble the 'Identity Card of the Constitution'. Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava, a member of the Assembly, declared: "The Preamble is the most precious part of the Constitution. It is the soul of the Constitution. It is a key to the Constitution."
The Text of the Preamble:
"WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION."
Four Core Pillars of the Preamble
The People of India
Constitution derives its ultimate authority from the people of India. Sovereign power resides with the citizens, not with a monarch or foreign parliament.
SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
26 November 1949
The Preamble specifically mentions the date of adoption: 26 November 1949. It does NOT mention 26 January 1950 (date of full commencement).
2. The Original Calligraphy & Illuminated Manuscript
The original Constitution of India was neither printed nor typed; it was entirely handwritten and calligraphed in English and Hindi.
- Prem Behari Narain Raizada was the calligrapher of the Indian Constitution. He handwrote the complete English manuscript in a flowing italic style using 303 nibs. When Prime Minister Nehru asked him how much he would charge, Raizada replied: "Not a single penny. By God's grace I have everything. My only request is that on every page of the Constitution, my name will be written, and on the last page, my name will be written along with my grandfather's name."
- Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, illuminated and decorated every page with intricate borders and Vedic/historical motifs. The artwork on the Preamble page was specifically created by Beohar Rammanohar Sinha.
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