Constitutional literacy activities under ‘Har Dil Mein Samvidhan’ campaign to mark 75th R-Day

As many as 982 partner organisations from 27 states and four Union territories will conduct constitutional literacy activities in 373 districts under the banner of ‘Har Dil Mein Samvidhan’ (HDMS) campaign as part of the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

HDMS campaign aims to instill constitutional values in people and make people aware of their rights and duties. Partners from almost all districts in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, and about 50 per cent of districts in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are represented in the campaign.

The campaign has seen consistent participation from partners in the North Eastern states, as well as participants from Daman & Diu and NRIs from Germany.

Since January 2023, HDMS partners have been organising various activities like street plays, workshops, cycle rallies, marathons, padyatras (walking tours) jagrukta yatras (awareness marches), blood donation initiatives and distribution of the preamble of the Constitution in schools, colleges, anganwadi centers, community gatherings, and other public places. They also hosted Constitution-themed games and cultural events tailored to local communities and have been creating and broadcasting songs about the Constitution, especially effective in reaching the youth. Keeping to the spirit of inclusivity, the partners have translated the campaign logo into regional languages and initiated recitation and recording of the preamble in multiple languages—a first-of-its-kind initiative.

As part of the campaign, 'Hand for Handmade' foundation has showcased 75 handmade textile artworks from diverse artisan groups across India, inspired by the art and ideals of the Constitution of India under the title ‘Hamari Virasat’. The exhibit is currently being showcased at the Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai.

Similar Constitutional literacy programmes will also be held on January 26 and the current phase outreach will continue till February 3.

For instance, Apnalaya, Maharashtra will spread values of the Constitution using awareness material during the community flag hoisting ceremonies.

Project Potential, Bihar, will hold community meetings in 20 panchayats in Pothia and Thakurganj blocks of Kishanganj district to connect with the community under its flagship Rural India Youth Leadership programme. The activity will focus on the concept of 'Asamanta' or 'Pakshpaat' (inequality or partiality).

Synergy Sansthan in Madhya Pradesh will organise ‘Samvidhan Melas’ (Constitution fairs) through its youth resource centres.

The #ReclaimConstitution initiative has opened an online Rangoli competition seeking entries that depict all the values of the preamble of the Constitution of India. The photos of the rangolis are to be posted on X or Instagram with the hashtag ReclaimConstitution.

The next phase of programmes will continue for the entire 2024, campaign partners have said.

“We are very excited to partner in this noble venture. We want to take this campaign to as many communities in South India as possible, because ultimately constitutional awareness is essential for every citizen so that they can use the Constitution as a life guide,” Ram Pappu, executive director of Mission Samriddhi and co-organiser of HDMS, said.

A note by the HDMS campaign states: “Since our first Republic Day in 1950, India’s Constitution has been the nation’s bedrock, upholding the values of equality, liberty, justice, and fraternity. Over seven decades, civil society, people’s movements and citizens’ networks have tirelessly championed rights and welfare, making strides towards fulfilling the Constitution's promises. However, a substantial number of citizens remain unaware of the core values, rights, and responsibilities of this powerful document.”

“Har Dil Mein Samvidhan’s tagline - ‘know, recognize and live’ encapsulates the vision of this people’s campaign to bridge this gap. Its overarching goals include building deep awareness and engagement with the Constitution of India and its relevance in daily life among citizens across the country. The campaign aspires to offer an open platform for individuals and institutions to actively participate in celebrating constitutional values and enhance the visibility of this narrative in mainstream media.”

“Through nationwide action, Har Dil Mein Samvidhan is cultivating awareness about the constitutional values towards awakening the collective consciousness of all citizens. The campaign aspires to ultimately realize the vision ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ - the world is one family.”

“Knowing our Constitution helps us recognize and reduce inequalities and injustice in society. It also enables us to demand accountability from elected representatives and government functionaries, and ensure that they perform based on their constitutional mandate,” Vinita Gursahani Singh, managing trustee, 'We, The People Abhiyan' and co-organiser HDMS, said.

"Because this campaign is everyone's, anyone can join and design aligned activities in their own context, we joined in too. The first thought that came to my mind when we did, was that if the Constitution reaches every heart and we start living it, how beautiful our society and country will look with justice, fraternity, equality and freedom at its core! With our communities in Harda, we are conducting a padayatra (walking tour), workshops with youth, and games and sports with children where they learn about these values first-hand," said Rajesh Kalam, Sajha Netritva Manch, Harda, Madhya Pradesh, and a co-organiser of HDMS.