For the Britishers, India was a country of resources which they ruled without any care or consideration for its people. They made rules which were known as Acts, the last one being the Government of India Act 1935. The Acts were biased and lopsided and denied basic rights to Indian citizens. That is why the country treasures its freedom.

In 1946, The Constituent Assembly was formed and after lots of discussions and debates, the final draft was ready on 26th November 1949. It took the Constituent Assembly precisely 2 years, 11 months and 18 days to come up with the final draft. 

However, the Constitution was legally enforced on 26th January 1950 as it was on this day in 1930 when Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress as opposed to the Dominion status offered by British Regime.

The Constitution of India is unique and grand. It is also the longest Constitution in the world with 25 parts containing 448 articles and 12 schedules. The original Constitution of India was handwritten in a flowing italic style with beautiful calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada. Each page of the Constitution was beautifully decorated by artists from Shantiniketan. 

The Constitution was written in Hindi and English and both the original copies are kept in special helium-filled cases in the Library of the Parliament of India.

The handwritten Constitution was signed on 24th January 1950, by 284 members of the Constituent Assembly, which included 15 women. It came into force two days later on 26th January which is celebrated as Republic Day. The Indian Constitution is also considered to be the world’s best constitution as in 68 years of its adoption, it has undergone only around  100 amendments.  

The Republic Day is celebrated every year in India in honour of the Constitution which lays down the rights and duties of every Indian. The highlight of the day is the Republic Day parade that is held in the Capital, New Delhi. It commences from the gates of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raisina Hill on Rajpath past the India Gate. The parade showcases India's Defence Capability, Cultural and Social Heritage.

Every year, India invites an important Head of State as the guest to participate in the celebrations. In a first, leaders of 10 countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) member-states will be present as chief guests during the Republic Day celebrations this year.