The Young Chronicle: For 4th Graders January 23rd, 2015 | Page 3

YOUNG CHRONICLE

My India is My Pride!
An Article on the Constitution of India, By Vaibhav Kumar
Every year, on 26th January, we Indians celebrate the Republic Day. This day commemorates the date, 26 January 1950 on which the

“Constitution of India” came to existence by replacing Government of India Act 1935. This day is very significant in Indian history, as, on
this day, India became a republic, from being a dominion of the British Empire.

Though India had got its freedom from the hands of the British in 15th

August 1947, there was no permanent constitution. The laws were based

on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935 as India was then
a Dominion. India was then headed by King George VI, until the

adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950. On 28 August 1947, a

drafting committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution.

This committee was headed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar along with several
other members.

A draft constitution was prepared and submitted to the Assembly on 4th November 1947. After many considerations and some

modifications the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document on 24th January 1950. Two days later the
constitution came into effect throughout the nation. The Indian Constitution included 395 Articles and 8 Schedules. These articles and
schedules contain laws on how the country and the people should act: like the Fundamental Rights and Duties and more. After the
withdrawal of British Rule in 1947 it took India 894 days to come up with its own constitution.

For the first time elections were held and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first President of free India. He took the oath at the

Durban Hall in the Government House, which was followed by the Presidential drive to the Irwin Stadium. He unrolled the National Flag
at the stadium. This