A Touchstone for Democracy

The Founding Fathers Laid Framework for Nascent Nation's Emergence as a Beacon

- ABDUL NAZER MA

India's emergence as the world's largest democracy has been the successful culmination of efforts that began in 1947, when the country secured independence from foreign occupation in a remarkable achievement of attaining freedom through a non-violent struggle.

Raising from the shackles of British colonial rule, the freedom fighters envisioned a democratic framework for India, that would not only safeguard individual freedoms but would also be a beacon of hope for a pluralistic society. Based on this vision, the early post-Independence years were characterized by the framing of the Indian Constitution, which laid the groundwork for the democratic principles that would shape the nation.

Here, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, envisioned a society that upheld justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.