“ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವು ದೇಶದ ಅನೇಕ ತಲೆಮಾರುಗಳ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಈಡೇರಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಭಾರತದ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಕೋನದ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದಿದೆ.’’
ಸಂವಿಧಾನ ಕೇವಲ ಪುಸ್ತಕವಲ್ಲ. ಇದು ಒಂದು ಕಲ್ಪನೆ, ಬದ್ಧತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ ಮೇಲಿನ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯಾಗಿದೆ,’’
“ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳ ಒಡಂಬಡಿಕೆಯು ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ’’ “ ಭಾರತವು ಸ್ವಭಾವತಃ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಚಿಂತನೆಯ ದೇಶವಾಗಿದೆ. ಜಡತ್ವವು ನಮ್ಮ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಸ್ವಭಾವದ ಭಾಗವಲ್ಲ’’
ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮ್ ಬಹದ್ದೂರ್ ರಾಯ್ ಅವರ ‘ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂವಿಧಾನ್: ಅಂಕಾಹಿ ಕಹಾನಿ’ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಸಮಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಅವರು ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಸಂದೇಶದ ಮೂಲಕ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು.
ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ, ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮ್ ಬಹದ್ದೂರ್ ರೈ ಅವರು ಹೊಸ ವಿಚಾರಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕುವ ಜೀವನಪರ್ಯಂತದ ಅನ್ವೇಷಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊಸದನ್ನು ಸಮಾಜದ ಮುಂದೆ ತರುವ ಬಯಕೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಅವರು ಗಮನಿಸಿದರು. ಇಂದು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾದ ಪುಸ್ತಕವು ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ಸಮಗ್ರ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತಪಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬ ಭರವಸೆಯನ್ನು ಅವರು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು. ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಪ್ರಜಾಸತ್ತಾತ್ಮಕ ಚಲನಶೀಲತೆಯ ಮೊದಲ ದಿನವನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸುವ ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಮೊದಲ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿಗೆ ಜೂನ್ 18 ರಂದು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪತಿ ರಾಜೇಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ಅವರು ಸಹಿ ಹಾಕಿದರು ಎಂದು ಶ್ರೀ ನರೇಂದ್ರ ಮೋದಿ ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು, ಇದೇ ವೇಳೆ ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಅತಿದೊಡ್ಡ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.
“ದೇಶದ ಅನೇಕ ತಲೆಮಾರುಗಳ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನು ನನಸು ಮಾಡಬಲ್ಲ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಭಾರತದ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಕೋನದ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವು ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದಿದೆ," ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಸಂವಿಧಾನ ರಚನಾ ಸಭೆಯ ಮೊದಲ ಸಭೆ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಕೆಲವು ತಿಂಗಳುಗಳ ಮೊದಲು 1946ರ ಡಿಸೆಂಬರ್ 9ರಂದು ನಡೆಯಿತು ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಿದ ಅವರು, ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಅಂತಿಮ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಜಾಪ್ರಭುತ್ವದ ಮೇಲಿನ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸ ಮತ್ತು ನಂಬಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಸೂಚಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದರು. ಇದು ಭಾರತದ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವು ಕೇವಲ ಒಂದು ಪುಸ್ತಕವಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಬಿಂಬಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಒತ್ತಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಇದು ಒಂದು ಕಲ್ಪನೆ, ಬದ್ಧತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ ಮೇಲಿನ ನಂಬಿಕೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. ’’
ಶ್ರೀ ರೈಯವರ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವು ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ ಗತಕಾಲದ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆ ಬಲವಾಗಿ ಉಳಿಯುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಮರೆತುಹೋದ ಆಲೋಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು ನೆನಪಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ನವ ಭಾರತದ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದ ಪರಂಪರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಅವರು ಆಶಿಸಿದರು. ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವು ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ ಇತಿಹಾಸ ಮತ್ತು ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಹೇಳಲಾಗದ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ದೇಶದ ಯುವಕರಿಗೆ ಹೊಸ ಆಲೋಚನೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ಪ್ರವಚನವನ್ನು ವಿಸ್ತರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಶ್ರೀ ರೈ ಅವರ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಹಿಂದಿರುವ ತುರ್ತುಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯ ಸಂದರ್ಭವನ್ನು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಿದ ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಅವರು, “ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳ ಒಡಂಬಡಿಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ನಮಗೆ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳಿದ್ದರೆ, ನಮಗೂ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳಿವೆ, ಮತ್ತು ನಮಗೆ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳಿದ್ದರೆ, ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳು ಸಮಾನವಾಗಿ ಬಲವಾಗಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಅದಕ್ಕಾಗಿಯೇ, ಆಜಾದಿ ಅಮೃತ್ ಕಾಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ, ದೇಶವು ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಒತ್ತು ನೀಡುತ್ತಿದೆ.’’ ಎಂದು ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವ್ಯಾಪಕ ಜಾಗೃತಿಯ ಅಗತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿಯವರು ಒತ್ತಿ ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಗಾಂಧೀಜಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಪರಿಕಲ್ಪನೆಗೆ ಹೇಗೆ ನಾಯಕತ್ವವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದರು. ಸರ್ದಾರ್ ಪಟೇಲರು ಧರ್ಮದ ಆಧಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ಚುನಾವಣಾ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನು ರದ್ದುಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ಕೋಮುವಾದದಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತಗೊಳಿಸಿದರು, ಡಾ. ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಅವರು ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಪೀಠಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭ್ರಾತೃತ್ವವನ್ನು ಸೇರಿಸಿ ‘ಏಕ್ ಭಾರತ್ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಭಾರತ’ವನ್ನು ರೂಪಿಸಿದರು ಮತ್ತು ಡಾ. ರಾಜೇಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ಅವರಂತಹ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರು ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ಭಾರತದ ಆತ್ಮದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಂಪರ್ಕಿಸಲು ಹೇಗೆ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದರು. ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವು ಇಂತಹ ಹೇಳಲಾಗದ ಅಂಶಗಳನ್ನು ನಮಗೆ ಪರಿಚಯಿಸುತ್ತದೆ,’’ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು.
ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಜೀವಂತ ಸ್ವರೂಪದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿವರಿಸಿದ ಪ್ರಧಾನಮಂತ್ರಿ ಅವರು, “ ಭಾರತವು ಸ್ವಭಾವತಃ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಚಿಂತನೆಯ ದೇಶವಾಗಿದೆ. ಜಡತ್ವವು ನಮ್ಮ ಮೂಲ ಸ್ವಭಾವದ ಭಾಗವಲ್ಲ. ಸಂವಿಧಾನ ರಚನಾ ಸಭೆಯ ರಚನೆಯಿಂದ ಹಿಡಿದು ಅದರ ಚರ್ಚೆಗಳವರೆಗೆ, ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ಅಂಗೀಕರಿಸುವುದರಿಂದ ಹಿಡಿದು ಅದರ ಇಂದಿನ ಹಂತದವರೆಗೆ, ನಾವು ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಕ್ರಿಯಾತ್ಮಕ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಗತಿಪರ ಸಂವಿಧಾನವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ನಾವು ವಾದಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆ, ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ, ಚರ್ಚಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆ ಮತ್ತು ಬದಲಾವಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ಇದು ನಮ್ಮ ಜನಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ಜನರ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಮುಂದುವರಿಯುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ನನಗೆ ಖಾತ್ರಿಯಿದೆ,’’ ಎಂದು ಅವರು ಹೇಳಿದರು.
Your Excellency President Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President Donald Ramotar, Members of the Guyanese Cabinet, Members of the Indo-Guyanese Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar!
Seetaram !
I am delighted to be with all of you today.First of all, I want to thank President Irfan Ali for joining us.I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival.I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me.
I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that, over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother, we also planted a tree. It is part of our initiative, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", that is, "a tree for mother”. It was an emotional moment that I will always remember.
Friends,
I was deeply honoured to receive the ‘Order of Excellence’, the highest national award of Guyana. I thank the people of Guyana for this gesture. This is an honour of 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3 lakh strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.
Friends,
I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
Friends,
Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy. You have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies. From humble beginnings you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: "It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.”He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
President Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals, Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets, Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet, Many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
Friends,
Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things, in particular, connect India and Guyana deeply. Culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa.
This year, the Diwali was special as Ram Lalla returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong.
I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
Friends,
Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them. The food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that Dhal Puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.
Friends,
The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship.
Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year.
Your cheers for the ‘Team in Blue’ at their match in Guyana could be heard even back home in India!
Friends,
This morning, I had the honour of addressing the Guyanese Parliament. Coming from the Mother of Democracy, I felt the spiritual connect with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean region. We have a shared history that binds us together. Common struggle against colonial rule, love for democratic values, And, respect for diversity.
We have a shared future that we want to create. Aspirations for growth and development, Commitment towards economy and ecology, And, belief in a just and inclusive world order.
Friends,
I know the people of Guyana are well-wishers of India. You would be closely watching the progress being made in India. India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed and sustainability.
In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.
We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world.
Friends,
India’s growth has not only been inspirational but also inclusive. Our digital public infrastructure is empowering the poor. We opened over 500 million bank accounts for the people. We connected these bank accounts with digital identity and mobiles. Due to this, people receive assistance directly in their bank accounts. Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest free health insurance scheme. It is benefiting over 500 million people.
We have built over 30 million homes for those in need. In just one decade, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Even among the poor, our initiatives have benefited women the most. Millions of women are becoming grassroots entrepreneurs, generating jobs and opportunities.
Friends,
While all this massive growth was happening, we also focused on sustainability. In just a decade, our solar energy capacity grew 30-fold ! Can you imagine ?We have moved towards green mobility, with 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol.
At the international level too, we have played a central role in many initiatives to combat climate change. The International Solar Alliance, The Global Biofuels Alliance, The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Many of these initiatives have a special focus on empowering the Global South.
We have also championed the International Big Cat Alliance. Guyana, with its majestic Jaguars, also stands to benefit from this.
Friends,
Last year, we had hosted President Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. We also received Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in India. Together, we have worked to strengthen bilateral cooperation in many areas.
Today, we have agreed to widen the scope of our collaboration -from energy to enterprise,Ayurveda to agriculture, infrastructure to innovation, healthcare to human resources, anddata to development. Our partnership also holds significant value for the wider region. The second India-CARICOM summit held yesterday is testament to the same.
As members of the United Nations, we both believe in reformed multilateralism. As developing countries, we understand the power of the Global South. We seek strategic autonomy and support inclusive development. We prioritize sustainable development and climate justice. And, we continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address global crises.
Friends,
I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An Ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are Ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.
You, the Indo-Guyanese community, are doubly blessed. You have Guyana as your motherland and Bharat Mata as your ancestral land. Today, when India is a land of opportunities, each one of you can play a bigger role in connecting our two countries.
Friends,
Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz has been launched. I call upon you to participate. Also encourage your friends from Guyana. It will be a good opportunity to understand India, its values, culture and diversity.
Friends,
Next year, from 13 January to 26 February, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite.
It is for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be held in Bhubaneshwar in January. If you come, you can also take the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Puri. Now with so many events and invitations, I hope to see many of you in India soon. Once again, thank you all for the love and affection you have shown me.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
And special thanks to my friend Ali. Thanks a lot.
