Understanding the Constitution of India

Sanvidhan

We often hear the word 'sanwidhan' thrown around in political discussions, especially when it comes to the governance of our country, India. But what is sanwidhan exactly? To put it simply, sanwidhan refers to a system of governance - a set of laws by which we abide. In India, this system of governance is known as the Constitution of India, and it plays a crucial role in shaping how our society functions. So let's take a closer look at this pivotal piece of legislation:

Constitution of India

The Indian Constitution was adopted on January 26th, 1950, marking the beginning of modern India as an independent nation. This document serves as the supreme law of the land and outlines the structure, powers, and duties of the government institutions, as well as the fundamental rights, directive principles of state policy, and the procedure for constitutional amendment.

Some key features of the Constitution of India include:

• The Preamble sets the tone for the entire document, stating that India is a sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic with a parliamentary form of government.
• Sovereignty lies with the people, who elect their representatives through universal suffrage. These representatives make up the legislature, executive, and judiciary branches of government.
• Fundamental Rights protect individual freedoms such as equality before the law, freedom of speech, religion, assembly, etc., while Directive Principles of State Policy provide guidelines for the kind of society we want to build.

Important Articles & Amendments

Certain articles within the Constitution have gained special significance over time due to their impact on various aspects of life in India:

• Article 78(2): This provision states that the President shall act according to advice given by his Council of Ministers regarding the exercise of any power or function of his Office except where he considers that it is desirable to act differently under clause (1) or where such action is prohibited by the Constitution. It has led to debates about presidential discretion versus democratic control.
• First Amendment, 1951: Introduced after the integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Union, adding new provisions relating to the "sovereignty” and “territorial integrity of India" and making further provisions relating to fundamental right of citizenship.
• Fourth Amendment, 1955: Added certain specified States to Part B of the First Schedule, thus providing these States with additional safeguards against political exploitation.

These examples illustrate how the Constitution has evolved over time to address specific challenges faced by India.

Implementation Challenges

Despite being highly regarded as one of the best constitutions worldwide due to its liberal nature, unique federalism, checks and balances among organs of the state, protection of human rights, and the integration of diverse groups, there remain implementation challenges:

• Administrative silence: Implementation may fail if necessary decisions are not taken despite having comprehensive policies ready for execution.
• Lack of coordination between central and state governments: Conflict arises from differences in opinion, interests, power relations between center and state.
• Budget constraints: Limited resources can hamper effective implementation of programs designed to achieve desired results.

In conclusion, the term 'sanwidhan' encapsulates the framework of laws that guide us as Indians. The Constitution of India, particularly its preamble, acts as a guiding light for all those involved in creating and maintaining harmonious relationships amongst themselves and with other countries. Understanding and appreciating the depth and complexity of our own governance system helps us appreciate why India continues to thrive and grow amidst ever-changing international circumstances.