Page 96 - Constitution
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70 Years of Indian Years of Indian
Constitution
Constitution
As a nation state, India comprises myriad
ationalism’ as defined by Earnest Rennan is
“A peoples’ sense of collective destiny through streams of culture, languages, dialects, ethnic
a common past and the vision of a common groups and religious communities with several
Nfuture”. No nation state can be built without first sects and sub sects. There are nearly 70 socio
creating and inculcating nationalism. The Indian paradox cultural sub regions. It is a huge diversity
is that we are an old society and civilization, but in the suffused with wide ranging creativity.
modern political sense we are a new nation state. In fact,
India has been a nation state only a few times in its long assures justice, equality, liberty and promotes fraternity
history. The dynamics of Indian empires have been such amongst all its citizens. The document lays down the
that each has risen out of a hotbed of internecine quarrels framework demarcating fundamental political code,
and fighting among small states: a tendency which can structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government
be felt even today. institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive
As a nation state, India comprises myriad streams of principles, and the duties of citizens. It is a living document
culture, languages, dialects, ethnic groups and religious (amended 104 times till date) which quite appreciably
communities with several sects and sub sects. There are lays considerable emphasis on individual freedoms and
nearly 70 socio cultural sub regions. It is a huge diversity fundamental rights of its citizens.
suffused with wide ranging creativity.
It is the second-most populous country in the world, Armed Forces’ Oath to the Constitution
the seventh-largest country by land area, mega-diverse For the armed forces, the Constitution of India is a holy
and the most populous democracy in the world. document. At the time of joining or getting commission
Geo-strategically and historically, India has unique in the armed forces, all ranks have to take an oath (or
centrality in South Asia. It has special ties with all nations an Affirmation) to the Constitution of India, which is
of the region: of ethnicity, language, culture, common considered to be the guide to nationalism and nationhood.
historical experience and shared access to natural The form of the oath (or a similar Affirmation) is:
resources like water. “I, (Name) do swear in the name of god that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as
The Constitution of India by the law established and that I will, as in duty bound,
The Constitution of India has become the supreme law honesty and faithfully serve in the regular army of the
for our nation state. The Constitution declares India as Union of India and go wherever ordered by land, sea or
a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. It air and that I will observe and obey all commands of the
96 70 Years of Indian Constitution
