Hailing India as the ”Mother of Democracy”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said laws in the country were being made easier and accessible for the common citizens and the judiciary too was taking many steps to ensure timely justice.

Speaking at a function organised to mark the Constitution Day at the Supreme Court here on Saturday, Modi said, “The country is strengthening the ideals of the constitution and pro-people policies are empowering the poor and women.”

The PM pointed out that in the current global scenario the world was looking at India amidst its growing economy and international image with hope. Defying all the initial apprehensions about its stability, India is moving ahead with full force and taking pride in its diversity. He credited the constitution for this success.

Referring to the first three words of the preamble, ‘We the People’, Modi said, “’We the People’ was a call, trust and an oath. This spirit of the constitution was the spirit of India. In the modern times, the constitution has embraced all the cultural and moral emotions of the nation.”

Referring to his emphasis on duties in his Independence Day speech, he said it was the manifestation of the spirit of the constitution. Terming the Amrit Kaal as ‘Kartavya Kaal’, he emphasised that in the ”Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal” when the nation was completing 75 years of Independence and embarking on the journey for the next 25 years of development, the ”mantra” of duty towards the nation was first and foremost.

“The Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal is the time for duty towards the country. Be it people or institutions, our responsibilities are our first priority,” he remarked. He underlined that by following one’s ‘kartavya path’, the country can attain new heights of development.

He noted that in a week’s time, India was going to attain the G20 Presidency, and stressed the need to promote the prestige and reputation of the nation in the world as a team. “It is our collective responsibility,” he added. “The identity of India as the mother of democracy needs to be further strengthened.”

Underlining the youth-centric spirit, Modi said the constitution was known for its openness, being futuristic and its modern vision. He acknowledged the role and contribution of youth power in all aspects of India’s growth story.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to increase awareness about the Constitution of India among the youth for a better understanding of topics like equality and empowerment. He further recalled the time when the Constitution was drafted and the circumstances that stood before the country. “What happened in the debates of the Constituent Assembly at that time, our youth should be aware of all these topics,” he felt. He further added that this would increase their interest in the Constitution.

Modi also highlighted the contributions of countless individuals from the legislature, judiciary and executive in the last 7 decades of the journey of development and expansion of the Constitution, and thanked them on behalf of the entire nation.

He also launched during the programme various new initiatives under the e-court project which include Virtual Justice Clock, JustIS mobile App 2.0, Digital court and S3WaaS Websites.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Union minister for law and justice Kiren Rijiju were among those present in the event. Since 2015, Constitution Day has been celebrated on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949.