By Matters India Reporter
Patna, Nov 23, 2021: Alka Verma, a leading advocate of the Patna High Court, November 23 urged the students of a Jesuit college to protect the Indian Constitution, a charter of values and principles that protected rights of citizens and offered them equal opportunities.
“We should celebrate our constitution every day. It is like the Bible for our nation,” Verma said while addressing the students of Patna’s St Xavier’s College of Management and Technology at a function organized to commemorate the Constitution Day.
India celebrates the Constitution Day November 26 every year to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India. The Constituent Assembly of India had adopted the Constitution on this day in 1949, which came into effect from January 26, 1950.
Verma, who was the chief guest, tried to bust various myths on reservation to weaker sections. She said the provisions for quota were enshrined in the directive principles of state policy, contained in Article 46 of the Constitution, and were not discriminatory. “In fact, they ensure equality. We need to create a situation where the disadvantaged people also have a level-playing filed with others,” she added.
A speech contest was also organized on the occasion on ‘Relevance of Constitution in Indian Democracy.’ Six students were selected following an online competition held earlier. Swati Mishra was adjudged the best speaker while Ritika Singh was named the runner-up.
College rector Jesuit Father Martin Poras gave away the prized to the winners.
The event was organized by the college’s Social Awareness Committee.