Khairatabad Ganapati Deva in Hyderabad is one of the tallest Ganesha idols made in India during Ganesh Chaturthi festival.Late Mr. S. Sankarayya freedom fighter, in 1954 founded Sri Ganesh Utsav Committee, Khairatabad, Hyderabad. Since then every year it developed with the constant effort of Mr. S. Sankarayya’s family and friends and committee members.
The Ganesh idol of this place is one of the tallest in the world, averaging to 50 feet. Mr.S.Sankarayya’s brother Mr. S. Sudershan continuing the tradition of Ganesh Pooja in Khairatabad, Hyderabad successfully, since 61 years.
2015 Ganesh Idol was designed as Thrishaktimaya Moksha Ganapati. Gajendra Moksham epic was Lest side of the.
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For Khairathabad Ganesh imges of previous years, please click on below links .
It’s been 60 years since Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations started in Khairathabad. It’s going to be more grandiose as the height of the Khairathabad Ganesh would be 60 feet this year.
Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Mandap was founded by S Shankaraiah Mudiraj and the first Ganesh puja was performed here in the year 1954. Since then the height of the Ganesha has been increasing to mark the year of celebrations.
For Khairathabad Ganesh imges of previous years, please click on below links
I’m Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life It’s Gonna Feel Real Good, Gonna Make A Difference Gonna Make It Right . . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat This Wind Is Blowin’ My Mind I See The Kids In The Street, With Not Enough To Eat Who Am I, To Be Blind? Pretending Not To See Their Needs A Summer’s Disregard, A Broken Bottle Top And A One Man’s Soul They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya’ Know ‘Cause They Got Nowhere To Go That’s Why I Want You To Know
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I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change ..
I’ve Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love It’s Time That I Realize That There Are Some With No Home, Not A Nickel To Loan Could It Be Really Me, Pretending That They’re Not Alone? .
A Widow Deeply Scarred, Somebody’s Broken Heart And A Washed-Out Dream They Follow The Pattern Of The Wind, Ya’ See Cause They Got No Place To Be
. That’s Why I’m Starting With Me
I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways .
. And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change
I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways And No Message Could’ve Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make That . . . Change! .
I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror, I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways (Better Change!) No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time Cause When You Close Your Heart You Can’t Close Your . . .Your Mind! Then You Close Your . . . Mind! That Man, That Man, That Man, That Man With That Man In The Mirror That Man, That Man, That Man I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways (Better Change!) You Know . . .That Man No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer . . If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change Gonna Feel Real Good Now! I’m Gonna Make A Change It’s Gonna Feel Real Good! Come On! (Change . . .) .
Just Lift Yourself You Know You’ve Got To Stop It. Yourself!I’ve Got To Make That Change, Today! .
You Got To You Got To Not Let Yourself . . . Brother . . . You Know-I’ve Got To Get That Man, That Man . . . (Man In The Mirror) You’ve Got To You’ve Got To Move! Come On! Come On! You Got To . . . Stand Up! Stand Up! Stand Up! (Yeah-Make That Change) Stand Up And Lift Yourself, Now! Man In The Mirror Gonna Make That Change . . . Come On! Man In The Mirror You Know It! You Know It! You Know It! You Know . . . Make That Change.
BJP lead NDA is expected to bag 210+ seats in 21014 General Elections according to the exit polls conducted by India Today-Cvoter and CNN-IBN-CSDS, while Congress lead UPA can bag around only 100.
Freedom fighters are the great people that brought us freedom from the then Ruthless British Rule or more commonly known as “British Raj” was brought to end mainly because of these Freedom Fighters. They have spent all their live to get us free from the clutches of British Rule. There were once these biographical movies which were made on these Freedom Fighters but today hardly see them today. They have just got limited to some historical books. It is because of these brave people that we are living a life of our own.
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Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948)
Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest freedom fighter of India as well as one among some individuals who changed the world. He all along his life preached values like simple living and high thinking. Everyone from common man to all other freedom fighters respected him for the principles he abided by such as truth, non-violence and nationalism. Gandhi led Satyagraha – the movement against violence, which eventually laid the foundation of independence of India. His life-long activities included protests opposing the land tax and discrimination against peasants, laborers. He fought against untouchability till the end of his life and this increased the respect people had for him. He was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30 July, 1948 in New Delhi.
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Jawaharlal Nehru (14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964)
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru fought for independence with all his influence and strength. Basically a barrister, Nehru was a central figure in Indian politics and became the president of Indian National Congress. Nehru was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and was a part of the non-cooperation movement, which was in the form of a powerful rebellion against the policy of the British to suppress the poor Indian society. Later he joined Gandhiji in the disobedience movement with the same conviction and determination. Pt. Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India from 15 August, 1947 to 27 May, 1964.
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a barrister, a statesman and one of the founding members of the Republic of India. He joined people like Gandhiji and Pt. Nehru in the country’s fight for freedom. Sardar Patel is also known as the Iron Man of India. He wanted India to be unified and fought against the British Rule with all his strength. He was the founding member of Indian National Congress and played a pivotal role in Quit India Moment. He became the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of independent India.
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Subhash Chandra Bose ( 23 January 1897 – August 18, 1945)
Subhas Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji, was an Indian Nationalist who fought against the British during World War II. He was the man behind Azad Hind Fauj. He escaped from India in 1941 while kept under house arrest by the British rule. Later, he turned to Axis Powers for help and wanted to get independence by force. He also became the General Secretary of the Congress Party while working with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
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Bal Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a social reformer, a teacher, journalist, lawyer and an activist and was the first leader of ‘Indian Independence Movement’. He was called the ‘Father of the Unrest’ by the British authorities. He was given a title ‘Lokmanya’ which means revered by the people . His most famous quote was ‘Swaraj is my birthright, I shall have it’ thus he was deemed as one of the strongest advocates of Swaraj. He showed active participation in public affairs. He was impressed by Gandhiji and he tried to convince him to drop the idea of ‘Total Ahimnsa’ and adopt ‘Swaraj’ by all means
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Lal Bahadur Shastri (2 October 1904 – 11 January 1966)
Lal Bahadur Shastri is remembered as the most sober personality that joined Indian Independence Movement. He supported Gandhiji and fought for the rights of farmers. He kept sticking to his fight was an active figure in the Independence movement for India. He entered the fight for Independence with the support of Gandhiji and then fought for the rights of peasants and farmers. He went to jail twice while fighting for independence but kept sticking to the mission. He was popular as a man of truth and integrity. Later, he became the second prime minister of Independent India.
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Bhagat Singh (28 September 1907 – 23 March 1931)
Shaheed Bhagat Singh, a vigorous young man from Punjab, was the youngest freedom fighter of India. He was just 23 (and hardly scared!) when he chose to die for his country. When a teenager, anarchist and Marxist ideologies had had considerable influence on Bhagat Singh. Initially, what provoked him to fight against the British was the death of Lala Lajpat Rai and he took the revenge by killing John Saunders, a British officer. He didn’t believe in nonviolence, especially if it was to be projected against violence and injustice. Bhagat Singh kept reiterating slogans of revolution while he threw two bombs inside the Central Legislative Assembly. He was sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case and hanged on 24 March, 1931. This did nothing but rekindled the sparks of hatred every single Indian had inside them against the British, which proved to be the flames of independence later.
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Chandra Shekhar Azad (23 July 1906 – 27 February 1931)
Chandrashekhar Azad was another energetic and highly courageous freedom fighter of India. He took along a few revolutionaries having zest like him and founded the very famous Hindustan Republican Association. Azad is known as the mentor of Bhagat Singh. He became more aggressive when Gandhiji was suspended from the Non-Cooperation Movement. He decided to get independence by any means and was involved in the Kakori Train Robbery in 1925. While fighting the British when he was left with the last bullet, he kept his word of never getting caught alive by shooting himself.
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Gopal Krishna Gokhale (9 May 1866 – 19 February 1915)
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the first people to revolt against earliest freedom fighters the British Rule. He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and founded the Servants of India Society. The major issues he picked up to fight against were untouchability and discrimination. He always believed in non-violence and practiced it till the end. Gokhale promoted independence from the British Rule and besides, advocated social reform.
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Dr. Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963)
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the Republic of India for successive 12 years. A lawyer by profession, Dr. Prasad joined the Indian National Congress and played an exemplary role in India’s struggle for freedom. He always wished India to be socially reformed and kept working incessantly in this direction. Dr. Prasad was a big-time supporter of Mahatma Gandhi and got arrested during the Salt Satyagraha of 1931 and the Quit India Movement in 1942. After independence, Dr. Rajendra Prasad got elected the president of the Constituent Assembly of India to prepare the Constitution of India. India became a republic in 1950 and Dr. Prasad became the first President of India.
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Lala Lajpat Rai (28 January 1865 – 17 November 1928)
Lala Lajpat Rai, also known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ was an author and a politician fought against British Raj for Independence. He was highly influenced by Manusmriti and Hinduism and he followed the ideals by creating a career of reforming Indian policy by writing and politics. He also collaborated with the activities of Punjab National Bank and Lakshmi Insurance Company. He proposed the discussion on the partition of Punjab and setting up of Muslim provinces in East Bengal and Sindh. He was fatally wounded while leading the protest against Simon Commission. His death anniversary is celebrated as ‘Martyrs Day’ in India.
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Mangal Pandey (19 July 1827 – 8 April 1857)
Mangal Pandey was a brave Indian soldier and a part of one the most earliest acts of rebellion that marked the start of first Indian Uprising in 1857. He was a soldier in 6th company of 34th Bengal native Infantry and was involved in the attack on the regiment’s officers. British considered him a traitor and mutineer. This war was the opening phase of the First War of Independence in 1857. He rebelled against the sacrilegious usage of cartridges greased with cow fat. The punishment of Mangal Pandey was seen as the opening scene of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the Income Tax Department, India to any “person”who applies for it or to whom the department allots the number without an application.
PAN enables the department to link all transactions of the “person”with the department. These transactions include tax payments, TDS/TCS credits, returns of income/wealth/gift/FBT, specified transactions, correspondence, and so on. PAN, thus, acts as an identifier for the “person”with the tax department.
PAN was introduced to facilitates linking of various documents, including payment of taxes, assessment, tax demand, tax arrears etc. relating to an assessee, to facilitate easy retrieval of information and to facilitate matching of information relating to investment, raising of loans and other business activities of taxpayers collected through various sources, both internal as well as external, for detecting and combating tax evasion and widening of tax base.
A typical PAN is ATZPR7190K
First three characters i.e. “AFZ”in the above PAN are alphabetic series running from AAA to ZZZ Fourth character of PAN i.e. “P”in the above PAN represents the status of the PAN holder. “P”stands for Individual, “F”stands for Firm, “C”stands for Company, “H”stands for HUF, “A”stands for AOP, “T”stands for TRUST etc. Fifth character i.e. “K”in the above PAN represents first character of the PAN holder’s last name/surname. Next four characters i.e. “7190″in the above PAN are sequential number running from 0001 to 9999. Last character i.e. “K”in the above PAN is an alphabetic check digit.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE PAN?
It is mandatory to quote PAN on return of income, all correspondence with any income tax authority. From 1 January 2005 it will be mandatory to quote PAN on challans for any payments due to Income Tax Department.
It is also compulsory to quote PAN in all documents pertaining to the following financial transactions :-
(a) sale or purchase of any immovable property valued at five lakh rupees or more;
(b) sale or purchase of a motor vehicle or vehicle, [the sale or purchase of a motor vehicle or vehicle does not include two wheeled vehicles, inclusive of any detachable side-car having an extra wheel, attached to the motor vehicle;]
(c) a time deposit, exceeding fifty thousand rupees, with a banking company;
(d) a deposit, exceeding fifty thousand rupees, in any account with Post Office Savings Bank;
(e) a contract of a value exceeding one lakh rupees for sale or purchase of securities;
(f) opening a bank account;
(g) making an application for installation of a telephone connection (including a cellular telephone connection);
(h) payment to hotels and restaurants against their bills for an amount exceeding twenty-five thousand rupees at any one time;
(i) payment in cash for purchase of bank drafts or pay orders or banker’s cheques for an amount aggregating fifty thousand rupees or more during any one day;
(j) deposit in cash aggregating fifty thousand rupees or more with a bank during any one day;
(k) payment in cash in connection with travel to any foreign country of an amount exceeding twenty-five thousand rupees at any one time.
PAN – LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The legal authority for allotment and use of the new series of PAN is derived from Section 139A of the Income-tax Act, 1961. This section lays down the framework for PAN, e.g, who is required to apply for PAN, who else can apply for PAN, who will allot PAN, transactions where PAN is required to be quoted, use of PAN in TDS certificates and TDS returns, that one person can have only one PAN and the manner of applying for PAN.
The manner of applying for PAN is laid down in Rule 114 of the Income-tax Rules, 1962. This rule, amended in 2003, also specifies the copies of documents required to be submitted along with the PAN application as proof of identity and address of the PAN applicant.
Rule 114B lists down the documents in which PAN is required to be quoted while entering into specified transactions/activities. Persons who do not have PAN are exempted from quoting PAN on furnishing a declaration in Form 60. Rule 114C lists the persons to whom section 139A does not apply. These are persons who have agricultural income by furnishing declaration in Form 61, non-residents, and Central Govt./State Govt. and Consular offices, where they are payers.
Penalty of Rs.10,000/- is imposable u/s 272B for failure to comply with the provisions of section 139A.
PAN – ONLINE VERIFICATION
PAN can be verified online by filling out the core details mentioned in the PAN Card such as
This facility can be used by the entities who receive copy of PAN application for any purpose. This facility can also be used by the PAN applicant to know their PAN. For government users and financial institutions online bulk PAN verification facility is also available. Kindly write to
The DIT(S)-III,
Directorate of Income-tax(Systems),
E-2, ARA Center, Ground Floor,
Jhandewalan Ext.,
New Delhi – 110055.
All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional (crowd gets louder as he composes himself). My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It’s getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.
The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don’t think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don’t give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.
My mother, I don’t know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.
In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day’s play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow. I can’t forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.
My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn’t like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.
Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don’t know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I’m not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.
Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn’t agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.
The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that ‘you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family’.
Without that, I don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I’ve had in my life.
Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.
My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so, so supportive [and] loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it’s so important to have a strong family who is always with you and who are guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.
In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better.
All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn’t sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.
My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.
On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said ‘well played’ to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.
My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o’clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o’clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.
The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.
The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.
We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on Day One morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.
Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.
I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don’t know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.
My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We unfortunately lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurised me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.
My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.
Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.
In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.
I know my speech is getting a bit too long (crowd roars with ‘noooo’), but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.
I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that life wouldn’t have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially “Sachin, Sachin” which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye.
“ WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY, of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, DO HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
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NOTE:The original 26 November 1949 constitution stated “SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC” and “unity of the Nation”, the words “SOCIALIST SECULAR” and “Unity and Integrity” were added via the 42nd amendment during the Emergency in 1976).
Meaning
Enacting formula
It signifies the democratic principle that power ultimately rests in the hands of the people. It also emphasizes that the constitution is made by and for the Indian people and is not given to them by any outside power. The wording is close to the preamble to the constitution, which had been adopted in 1937; it reads “We, the people of India … Do hereby adopt, enact, and give to ourselves this Constitution”. All the power emanates from the people and the political system will be accountable and responsible to the people.
Sovereign
The word sovereign means supreme or independence. India is internally and externally sovereign – externally free from the control of any foreign power and internally, it has a free government which is directly elected by the people and makes laws that govern the people. She allies in peace and war. The Popular sovereignty is also one of the basic structures of constitution of India. Hence, Citizens of India also enjoy sovereign power to elect their representatives in elections held for parliament, state legislature and local bodies as well. People have supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India. All the people are free in a limit to do their work in their own opinion.
Socialist
The word socialist was added to the Preamble by the Forty-second Amendment during the Emergency in 1976. It implies social and economic equality.
Social equality in this context means the absence of discrimination on the grounds only of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion, or language. Under social equality, everyone has equal status and opportunities.
Economic equality in this context means that the government will endeavor to make the distribution of wealth more equal and provide a decent standard of living for all. This is in effect emphasized a commitment towards the formation of a welfare state. India has adopted a socialistic and mixed economy and the government has framed many laws to achieve the aim.
Secular
The word secular was added to the Preamble by the Forty-second Amendment during the Emergency in 1976. Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion, and there is no official religion. The Government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect and honor.
Democratic
The first part of the preamble “We, the people of India” and, its last part “give to ourselves this Constitution” clearly indicate the democratic spirit involved even in the Constitution. India is a democracy. The people of India elect their governments at all levels (Union, State and local) by a system of universal adult franchise; popularly known as “one man one vote”. Every citizen of India, who is 18 years of age and above and not otherwise debarred by law, is entitled to vote. Every citizen enjoys this right without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, colour, sex, religion or education.
Republic
As opposed to a monarchy, in which the head of state is appointed on hereditary basis for a lifetime or until he abdicates from the throne, a democratic republic is an entity in which the head of state is elected, directly or indirectly, for a fixed tenure. The President of India is elected by an electoral college for a term of five years. The post of the President Of India is not hereditary. Every single citizen of India is eligible to become the President of the country. The leaders of the state and local bodies are also elected by the people in similar manner.
Forty-second Amendment
On 18 December 1976, during the Emergency in India, the Indira Gandhi government pushed through several changes in the Forty-second Amendment of the constitution of India. A committee under the chairmanship of Sardar Swarn Singh recommended that this amendment be enacted after being constituted to study the question of amending the constitution in the light of past experience. Through this amendment the words “socialist” and “secular” were added between the words “sovereign” and “democratic” and the phrase “unity of the Nation” was changed to “unity and integrity of the Nation”.
My Take 