Happy Republic Day - 2012

On this 63rd Republic Day, let us salute the framers of the Indian Constitution - Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer; Benegal Narsing Rau; KM Munshi; Sarojini Naidu; Dr. BR Ambedkar and others - for a splendid job of giving us a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and securing to all Indians

• JUSTICE - Social, Economic and Political;
• LIBERTY - of Thought, Expression, Belief, Faith and Worship;
• EQUALITY - of Status and Opportunity;
• FRATERNITY - assuring Dignity of the individual and Unity and Integrity of the nation.
  

Our Constitution boasts of several salient features. It:

1. Is the most lengthy and detailed in the world
2. Incorporates experiences of all known Constitutions of world democracies at the time; and avoids their defects
3. Is a Constitution of States, not just the Union. It reconciles effectively our national unity and diversity with maintenance of autonomy of states
   
4. Has a technically elaborate Chapter of Fundamental Rights (akin to the American "Bill of Rights"), which ensures dignity of the individual
   
5. Makes detailed provisions for federal, i.e., Union and State, relations
6. Takes vastness of country; diversity of populace and variety of problems into account
7. Is flexible and provides for amendments
8. Divides power at national and regional levels
9. Reconciles 'supremacy of written Constitution' with 'Parliamentary sovereignty'
10. Provides elaborate 'directive principles' - fundamental for governance of nation
11. Has a chapter on fundamental duties of citizens (added later)
    
12. Provides for an independent judiciary - it balances parliamentary supremacy with judicial review mechanisms
13. Gives us a completely secular State
14. Provides for adult franchise and non-communal electorates

I plan to use this blog for posting my views and thoughts on various laws, case-laws and legislation in India and elsewhere.

So, stay tuned!