Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing media ahead of Winter session of Parliament (Agence France-Presse photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation early this morning on Constitution Day. Later today, Parliament convenes for the Winter Session with a special two-day discussion in both Houses as a tribute to BR Ambedkar, widely regarded as the architect of the Indian constitution.
"Greetings to people of India on the historic occasion of 1st Constitution Day. May this day inspire you to know more about our Constitution. This day is a tribute to all those great women & men who worked tirelessly to give India a Constitution we are very proud of," PM Modi tweeted, also saluting Dr Ambedkar for his "stellar contribution."
"Our
samvidhaan (Constitution) is a ray of hope. Hope means - H for harmony, O for opportunity, P for People's participation, E for Equality," the PM later said. He has appealed to the opposition to allow Parliament to function this time, after several sessions that saw days of adjournments and little work.
On Wednesday evening, PM Modi had tweeted a picture of Parliament House "all lit up on the eve of the first ever Constitution Day." The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949 before it came into force on January 26, 1950.
Nationwide celebrations also begin today to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar.
"All parties have overwhelmingly welcomed the two-day special sittings to discuss 'Commitment to the Constitution as part of the 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Dr. BR Ambedkar'," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday.
A Lok Sabha bulletin said there will be no zero hour on Thursday and Friday.
Mr Naidu said Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will make opening remarks in the two houses, following which Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also the Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha, will initiate a discussion in the lower house.
In the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister and Leader of House Arun Jaitley will start the discussion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will intervene towards the end of the discussion in both houses.
"Leaders of various parties suggested adoption of a resolution at the end of discussion in both the houses and draft resolution on Commitment to the Constitution be formulated in consultation with all the parties and this will be discussed further," Mr Naidu added.