Photo story: When history came alive

On the 50th anniversary of the adoption of Constitution, the government of India showcased a true replica of the original copy of the Constitution. The photos below are from that, and have been made available by Harsh Mahan Cairae, a retired IAS officer of Assam-Meghlaya cadre from his personal collection. The replicas have the same dimension and weight, as that of the original Constitution.

It is interesting to look at the signatures of the leaders, especially the first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He was the first one who signed during the adoption ceremony of the constitution. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, was the head of the Constituent Assembly. He signed above Nehru, though there was no space for signatures.

The constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949. Thirty years later, the Supreme Court Bar Association declared November 26 as the National Law Day. The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.

It provides for a parliamentary form of government which is federal in structure with certain unitary features. The constitutional head of the Executive of the Union is the President.

Article 74(1) of the Constitution provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head to aid and advise the President, who shall exercise his/her functions in accordance to the advice.

The real executive power is thus vested in the Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head.

As per Article 79 of the Constitution, Parliament consists of the President and two Houses known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).