In a letter to citizens on Constitution Day, the Prime Minister also stressed the responsibility of strengthening democracy by exercising the right to vote
26 November, 2025 – New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the Constitution as a document that enabled someone from a humble background such as his to serve the country as head of government, first in Gujarat and then at the Centre.
In a letter addressed to citizens on the occasion of Constitution Day, Modi paid respects to the leaders of the constitution drafting process and stressed citizen duties as India embarks on the path to becoming a developed nation.
“It is the power of our Constitution that enabled a person like me, coming from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the Head of the Government continuously for over 24 years.
I still remember the moments in 2014, when I came to Parliament for the first time and bowed, touching the steps of the greatest temple of democracy.
Again, in 2019, after the election results, when I entered the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, I bowed and placed the Constitution on my forehead as a mark of reverence. This Constitution has given several others, like me, the power to dream and the strength to work towards it,” said the PM on November 26, the day in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, a sacred document that has continued to guide the nation’s progress with clarity and conviction.
Modi recalled that in 2015, the NDA government decided to mark November 26 as Constitution Day.
Remembering members of the Constituent Assembly, presided over by Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee, and distinguished women members of the Constituent Assembly, Modi said all of them enriched the Constitution with their thoughtful interventions and visionary perspectives.
“My mind goes back to the year 2010. This was when the Constitution of India completed 60 years. Sadly, the occasion did not receive the attention it deserved at a national level. But, to express our collective gratitude and commitment to the Constitution, we organised a ‘Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra’ in Gujarat. Our Constitution was placed on an elephant and I, along with several other people from different walks of life, had the honour of being part of the procession,” he said.
The PM also said that when the Constitution completed 75 years, the NDA government organised a special session of Parliament to commemorate the historic occasion.
He said this year’s Constitution Day marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda, adding that Sardar Patel’s visionary leadership ensured the political unification of India and his inspiration guided the steps to act against Articles 370 and 35(A).
“The Constitution of India is now fully in force in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring all constitutional rights for the people, especially the women and marginalised communities,” said the PM, mentioning the commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.
Speaking of the personalities who guided the nation, the PM said they remind us of the primacy of our duties, something the Constitution also emphasises through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A.
“These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress. Mahatma Gandhi always emphasised the duties of a citizen. He believed that a duty well performed creates a corresponding right and that real rights are a result of the performance of duty.
25 years have already passed since this century began. In just over two decades from now, we will mark 100 years since freedom from colonial rule. In 2049, it will be a hundred years since the Constitution was adopted. The policies we frame, the decisions we take today, and our collective actions will shape the lives of generations to come.
Inspired by this, as we move forward to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat, we must always place our duties towards our nation foremost in our minds,” the PM said.
He said that to carry out duties, it becomes imperative to put in our full capability and dedication in every task.
“Every action of ours should strengthen the Constitution. When we work with this sense of duty, our nation’s social and economic progress will multiply manifold. Our Constitution has given us the right to vote. As citizens, it is our duty to never miss the opportunity to vote in national, state, and local elections where we are registered,” he said, urging people’s participation to mark Constitution Day.
The Tribune