Imphal: The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister, N Biren Singh greeted the people of the state on the occasion of the Republic Day of India.
Governor Bhalla in his message on the occasion said that on this day in 1950, “we gave ourselves a Constitution which enshrines the guiding principles of our country”. “The experiment of democracy in India has been remarkably successful as we go from strength to strength, among the League of nations”.
Offering homage to the founding fathers for their foresight and wisdom, Governor Bhalla continued that successive elections have shown the maturity of the electors and that the ballot has been reflecting the aspirations of the peopie. “From a fledgling democracy, we have now become a mature one”, he added.
Stating that India is poised to become one of the leading nations of the world, he said its progress in science and technology backed by a young and dynamic population will usher the country to greater heights. However, he emphasized the need to harness the potential of our youth in the right direction so that they become our assets for the future.
Governor Bhalla called on all to strive to “work together to make our country strong, peaceful and prosperous”and to “re-dedicate ourselves to uphold and promote the secular, socialist and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution and work collectively to make our country great”.
Chief Minister n Biren Singh, in his message on the occasion said that Republic Day commemorates the entry into force of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950. It marks the transition of India to a sovereign democratic republic and highlights the establishment of a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
“The history of our Republic Day traces back to the Indian Independence Act 1947, which ended British rule and transferred legislative authority to the Constituent Assembly of India. The Constituent Assembly, tasked with drafting the constitution of the country, formed a drafting committee which submited a draft of the document”.
Biren Singh added that the celebration of Republic Day is a celebration of the ethos and the spirit of India, a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic, its unity and its integrity.
He stressed that the celebration “will be meaningful when we understand the broad features of our Constitution and what it provides for each one of us”. “Our Constitution provides space for every person to grow, and develop; imagine, express and act and participate in various walks of life with freedom of choice”.
He further emphasized that the knowledge that these are freedom which not every country offers to its citizens “must guide thought and actions, and ultimately propel us to perform our duties and responsibilities as citizens of this great country”.
