'Fulfil your constitutional duties': PM Modi's letter to citizens on Samvidhan Diwas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged citizens to fulfil their constitutional duties and contribute meaningfully to the building of a Viksit Bharat.

In a letter to citizens on the occasion of the Constitution Day, Modi said every action of theirs should strengthen the Constitution and further national goals and interests.

"It is our responsibility to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the framers of our Constitution. When we work with this sense of duty, our nation’s social and economic progress will multiply manifold," he said.

The prime minister suggested that special ceremonies be conducted in schools and colleges to celebrate first-time voters turning 18.

"When we inspire our youth with a sense of responsibility and pride, they will remain committed to the values of democracy throughout their lives. This sense of commitment is the foundation of a strong nation," he said.

The prime minister recalled the contribution of Rajendra Prasad and B.R. Ambedkar, and several others, in the drafting of the Constitution. He also recalled Mahatma Gandhi's belief that rights flow from the performance of duties, stressing that fulfilling duties is the foundation for social and economic progress.

"All these personalities and milestones remind us of the primacy of our duties, something the Constitution also emphasises through a dedicated chapter on Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. These duties guide us on how to collectively achieve social and economic progress," he said.

Earlier, in a social media post, Modi paid tribute to the framers of the Constitution, saying their vision and foresight continue to motivate us in the pursuit of building a Viksit Bharat.

"Our Constitution gives utmost importance to human dignity, equality and liberty. While it empowers us with rights, it also reminds us of our duties as citizens, which we should always try to fulfil. These duties are the foundation of a strong democracy," he had said.