Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about Our Constitution from Class 6 Social_Science. Before we dive into the chapter content, let us clearly look at the competencies you will achieve by studying this lesson. Competency one: Understanding the meaning and importance of the Constitution. Competency two: Appreciating the importance of the Preamble of the Constitution. Competency three: Appreciating the main features of the Indian Constitution. Competency four: Knowing the contributions of eminent persons who participated in the preparation of the Constitution. Competency five: Understanding the concept of Republic. Competency six: Understanding the essence of secularism and imbibing its spirit. Competency seven: Developing the attitude of obeying and respecting the Constitution. [CHECKPOINT]
In this chapter, we will explore the meaning and importance of the Constitution of India, understand the Preamble, appreciate the main features, and learn about the eminent persons who helped prepare it. Let us begin our journey together! First, let us understand what a Government is. In order to promote the welfare of the citizens, there should be an organisation which will enforce discipline, peace, systematic administration, security, social justice, economic development, and others. Such an organisation is known as Government. Now, let us move on to the meaning and importance of the Constitution. Constitution is the Supreme Law of a country. It provides the necessary framework for the governance of the country. It describes the organs of the government and their powers and functions. The Constitution specifies the rights and duties of the citizens. All elected governments have to function within the constitutional framework. [CHECKPOINT]
The importance of the Indian Constitution is clear. Being the basic law, the Constitution assumes great importance. Everyone is bound by it. The President, the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, Judges, and Government officials are all bound to uphold the Constitution. First, the Constitution reflects the ideals and aspirations of the people. Second, the Constitution directs for the welfare of the people. Third, it regulates the policies and functions of the government. Fourth, it protects the rights of the citizens and treats everybody as equal before the law. Before we continue, let us pause for a quick group activity. I want you to discuss this question with your classmates: Who is Dr. Ambedkar? Why do we gratefully remember him now? Discuss in groups. Keep this question in mind as we learn about the framing of our Constitution. [CHECKPOINT]
The Indian Constitution was framed by a special assembly called the Constituent Assembly. At its second session, the Assembly elected Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad as its Chairman. The Constituent Assembly had 299 members. Its first session was held in 1946. In order to speed up its work, the Constituent Assembly formed 22 committees. One of the committees was given the task of drafting the Constitution with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as its Chairman. Several Committees were formed, including an Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights under the chairmanship of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and a sub-committee on Fundamental Rights under the chairmanship of J.B. Kripalani. [CHECKPOINT]
The textbook states that fifteen women were members of the Constituent Assembly. The names specifically provided are Rajakumari Amrutha Kaur, Leela Roy, Malathi Choudhari, Sarojini Naidu, Begum Ijaj Rasul, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Dakshahini Vellayuddan, and others. Additionally, Kengal Hanumantaiah, S. Nijalingappa, and others from Karnataka played a significant role in framing the constitution. The members of the Assembly, after examining the Draft Constitution, suggested 2473 amendments to it. The Assembly held detailed discussions on both the Draft Constitution and the amendments. It took almost 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to finalise the Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar was the Law Minister of India from 15-8-1947 to 6-10-1951. The Constitution, which came into force on 26 January 1950 C.E., declared India as a Republic. This day is observed every year as Republic Day and celebrated as a national festival. Every year, Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in our country on 26 November. [CHECKPOINT]
The textbook features several photographs with specific captions to help you visualise key moments and leaders. One photograph is captioned Republic Day Parade, New Delhi. Another photograph shows Dr. Rajendra Prasad, with the caption Chairman of the Constituent Assembly and the first President of Republic of India. A third photograph features Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, captioned Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee. A fourth photograph shows Jawaharlal Nehru, captioned the first Prime Minister of India. As per the Constitution, the first General Elections were held in 1951-52 C.E. The Indian Parliament has two Houses, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The people’s representatives became members of an assembly known as Parliament. The first Parliament met in 1952 C.E. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us look at the size of our Constitution. In the original Constitution, there were 395 Articles, 22 parts, and 8 schedules. The Constitution has been amended, or changed, 106 times till September 2023. So now our Constitution has 471 articles, 25 parts, and 12 schedules. Next, we will study the Preamble. The Constitution begins with a Preamble which is significant in several respects. It is the heart of the Constitution. It narrates the ideals and aspirations of the Indian People. The ideals include Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Respect for Individual Dignity, and National unity and Integrity. These are the guiding principles of the Constitution. [CHECKPOINT]
Now, let us explore the main features of the Constitution. The Indian Constitution has several features. Some of them are as follows. First, it is a written constitution. The Indian Constitution is in written form and is the lengthiest of all the constitutions in the world. It explains the structure, power, and jurisdiction of three wings of the government: legislature, executive, and judiciary. The central and the State have one Constitution. Second, it establishes a Republic. The Constitution declares that India is a Republic. A Republic is a system of elected heads of the State. There are no kings in a republic; instead, there is rule by representatives elected by the citizens. India is one such political system known as a Democratic Republic. [CHECKPOINT]
Third, Fundamental Rights and Duties are stated. The Indian Constitution has conferred six Fundamental Rights on every citizen. No state can make any law, regulation, or initiative to curtail them. When citizens' rights are violated, the Judiciary has the power to protect them. By exercising their rights, citizens should not cause social disturbance or break law and order. The Constitution also states eleven fundamental duties of the Citizens. Fourth, it recognises the Secular Principle. The Constitution upholds the principle of secularism. Accordingly, the Government must be impartial towards all religions and treat all religions equally. Its aim is to promote balance and harmony, known as sarva-dharma-samabhava. The State should not consider any religion as the religion of the nation. Everyone is given freedom of worship and beliefs. The State has the power to regulate religious freedom and promote secular values in the interest of the society. [CHECKPOINT]
Fifth, it ensures an Independent Judiciary. The Indian Judiciary functions independently and enjoys reasonable powers. Neither the Government nor the Parliament can interfere in matters relating to the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. It upholds the principle that all are equal before the law. All citizens are given the opportunity to approach it to seek justice. The judgment of the Supreme Court is final and hence must be followed by all concerned. Sixth, it guarantees Universal adult franchise. Universal adult franchise is the essence of Democracy. It is the right of all citizens above 18 years of age to vote and choose their representatives in elections. If all citizens vote with their conscience, a strong Government will be formed, so for this reason our Constitution recognises adult franchise. [CHECKPOINT]
Seventh, it aims at the Eradication of untouchability. Untouchability, solely based on birth, is a social evil. It is the ultimate goal of our Constitution to eradicate the caste system that has grown up due to untouchability and establish social justice. Eighth, it establishes Sukhirajya, or a Welfare State. On the whole, the Indian Constitution ideally seeks to establish a Welfare State. A State which aims at providing social and economic security to all its citizens is generally known as a Welfare State. Ninth, it has an Electoral system. India is the biggest democracy in the world. For the last seven decades, elections have been held from time to time, showing that democracy has taken deep roots. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us quickly review some new words from this chapter. Drafting Committee is a committee which prepares a preliminary version of the Constitution to be placed before the Constituent Assembly. Article is a paragraph of the Constitution. Republic is a State in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives. Now, dear students, it is time to practice with the exercises. I will read each question and give you the complete answer. Listen carefully. Exercise One asks you to fill in the blanks with suitable words. Question one: The blank was the Chairman of Drafting committee of Indian Constitution. The answer is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Question two: Our Constitution was enacted on blank. The answer is 26 January 1950 C.E. Question three: The two houses of our parliament are blank and blank. The answer is Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise Two asks you to answer the following questions in one sentence. Question four: What is Constitution and What are its benefits? The Constitution is the Supreme Law of a country that provides the framework for governance. Its benefits are fourfold: it reflects the ideals and aspirations of the people, directs for the welfare of the people, regulates the policies and functions of the government, and protects the rights of the citizens while treating everybody as equal before the law. Question five: Who was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly? Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Question six: What was the role played by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the preparation of the Constitution? He served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee that prepared the Constitution and later served as the Law Minister of India from 15-8-1947 to 6-10-1951. Question seven: What is meant by Republic? A Republic is a system of elected heads of the State where there are no kings, and instead there is rule by representatives elected by the citizens. [CHECKPOINT]
Question eight: What is meant by secularism? Secularism means the Government must be impartial towards all religions, treat all religions equally, promote balance and harmony, not consider any religion as the national religion, and give everyone freedom of worship and beliefs. Question nine: On which date we celebrate Constitution day? We celebrate Constitution Day on 26 November every year. Question ten: Name the women members of the constituent Assembly of India? The Constituent Assembly included fifteen women members. The names specifically provided in the textbook are Rajakumari Amrutha Kaur, Leela Roy, Malathi Choudhari, Sarojini Naidu, Begum Ijaj Rasul, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, and Dakshahini Vellayuddan, along with others. Exercise Three asks you to discuss the principles and ideals stated in the Preamble. The Preamble states the ideals of Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Respect for Individual Dignity, and National unity and Integrity. These principles guide the Indian people to build a fair, free, equal, and united nation where every individual is respected. [CHECKPOINT]
Finally, let us look at the activities. First, our Constitution has given us a number of Rights and Duties. Which of the Rights and Duties are very important to you? Discuss in groups and state the opinions point by point. Second, collect the pictures of the Members of the Constituent Assembly. I encourage you to complete these activities with your classmates to deepen your understanding. Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]