Like the rest of the country, Mizoram also commemorated the anniversary of the day on which the Constitution of India was adopted at Vanapa Hall in the state’s capital, yesterday afternoon. The function was graced by Shri. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Mizoram. Shri. T.J. Lalnuntluanga, Minister of State, Law & Judicial was the Guest of Honour. A large audience comprising  top officials, representatives from the NGOs, politicians and students were attending this important occasion.

Addressing the gathering at the function, Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai had stated that the Constitution of India is the living testament that the real source of power in a democratic country like India lies in the hands of people. And he said that as per the Preamble, it is the people of India, who for fulfilment of their aspiration had made, adopted and gave to themselves this longest and one of the most detailed constitutions in the world. While paying homage to the makers of the constitution, the Governor was appealing the citizens to acknowledge that people of all parts of the country were duly represented at the constituent assembly which was drafting the Constitution of India, that was adopted on 26th November 1949 and came into force on 26th January 1950. He had also advocated that the two important features of the Constitution of India – Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties are equally important and that, we must not regard the Fundamental Duties less important than the Fundamental Rights since they complement each other. He went further to stress the significance of performing Fundamental Duties for the fulfilment of Fundamental Rights by reminding every official and public servants to ‘perform, reform and transform’ along the lines of the Fundamental Duties to assure Fundamental Rights to all the citizens they serve.

Shri. T.J. Lalnuntluanga, Minister of State, Law & Judicial was also voicing his concerns that people are very keen to exercise their Fundamental Rights but refrain when it comes to performing their Fundamental Duties. He had warned that the Fundamental Rights would be meaningless without acknowledging Fundamental Duties in a welfare state and progressive society. Speaking of the Constitution of India in the context of Mizoram, he had point that out that the people of Mizoram should take great pride in having Article 371G within the Constitution of India, a Special Provision for the state of Mizoram as the safeguards of their interests and welfare.

The celebration programme of The Constitution Day at Vanapa Hall was conducted under the chairmanship of Shri Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, Chief Secretary. Immediately after the programme was started a video clip compiled by the Department of Information & Public Relations, on the making of the Constitution of India was played on the screen. This was followed by the Chief Secretary leading the reading out of the Preamble of the Constitution of India. The programme was concluded with  Shri Ashish Kundra, Commissioner & Secretary, General Administration Department proposing the vote of thanks.