Today, India’s first Constitution Museum was officially inaugurated by the Honorable Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla, and the Honorable Minister of State for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in Sonipat. The inauguration ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. Naveen Jindal, Founding Chancellor of JGU and Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha).
In his keynote address, the Chief Guest, Shri Om Birla, remarked, “The establishment of India’s first Constitution Museum at O.P. Jindal Global University marks a historic milestone that will educate future generations about our Constitution, illuminating its history, inception, and the extensive efforts behind its creation. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of celebrating Constitution Day, urging us to recognize and honor the contributions of those who dedicated their lives to framing this foundational document. Our Constitution serves as a guiding beacon for India and the world, embodying principles of equality for all. It is not merely a legal framework but a transformative document that has brought significant social, economic, and political change, paving the way for a more just and inclusive society. Our democracy has united a multitude of cultures, languages, and traditions, exemplifying the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—throughout its 75-year journey. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, we continue to advance this legacy.”
The Guest of Honour, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, emphasized the core tenets of the Constitution, saying, “Equality, liberty, and fraternity are the cornerstones of our Constitution. We place a higher importance on equality before liberty, as noted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who stated that we will only remain independent as a nation if we maintain equality. I commend Chancellor Shri Naveen Jindal for his efforts to ensure that citizens can respectfully and honorably fly the National Flag. The Constitution Museum serves as a true tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s significant contributions as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, and I sincerely hope that it will be visited by current legislators to gain contemporary and digital insights into the making of the Constitution.”
The Constitution Academy and the Rights and Freedoms Museum, an initiative by Jindal Global University, aims to explore the foundational aspects of India’s democracy and the fundamental rights and freedoms it upholds.
Shri Naveen Jindal expressed his views on constitutionalism, stating, “It is a philosophy that restricts government power and protects individual rights, asserting that there are certain actions a government cannot undertake, no matter the public opinion or due process supporting it. The Constitution Museum is a reflection of our Founding Fathers’ vision and a celebration of the world’s longest-written Constitution. It embodies the careful balancing of individual rights and state power, ensuring justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, as enshrined in the Constitution’s preamble. As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption on November 26 this year, the museum promotes the idea of Indian constitutionalism.”
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, welcomed the distinguished guests and announced the National Convention on the Constitution of India, which will take place from November 23-25. This convention will feature notable speakers, including three former Chief Justices of India, several Supreme Court judges, senior advocates, distinguished parliamentarians, and scholars from both India and abroad.
About the Museum
The Constitution Museum is designed to provide visitors with an immersive exploration of the Constitution’s essential elements and key provisions. The museum aims to make the Constitution accessible and relevant, illustrating how its values and ideals have shaped the nation.
Visitors can experience a 360-degree visual spectacle that transports them back to pre-independence India. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and multimedia storytelling, the exhibit unfolds a chronological narrative of events leading up to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. A unique collaboration between O.P. Jindal Global University and IIT Madras has introduced a tour guide robot named S.A.M.V.I.D., providing an unprecedented experience to commemorate the Constitution, which defines India as a Republic.
One of the museum’s central features is one of the 1,000 photolithographic reproductions of the Constitution of India. The original, crafted over five years, bears the signatures of the nation’s founders and was illustrated by renowned artists.
The museum highlights the contributions of female members of the Constituent Assembly through animations that shed light on their role in shaping the Constitution and the new India. Additionally, sculptured busts of nearly 300 members of the Constituent Assembly are placed throughout the museum to honor their contributions.
The gallery also explores the global inspirations and historical contexts that influenced the creation of India’s Constitution, showcasing how these ideas were adapted to meet the aspirations of India’s diverse populace.
A notable installation in the mezzanine is a hologram exhibit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, bringing his vision to life through his speeches and writings. The museum also features captivating artwork. Sculptures such as Rajesh P. Subramanian’s “We, The People of India,” and Harsha Durugadda’s “Triad of Unity” reflect core constitutional principles like unity and justice.
Curation of the museum has been overseen by Ms. Anjchita B. Nair, CEO of Culture and Head of the Centre for Museums, who emphasizes that the Constitution Museum aims to break away from traditional unidirectional narratives by employing a variety of formats for innovative storytelling. (Agencies)
