The Vice President’s speech at 8th LM Singhvi Lecture – (excerpts)


We are the world’s most vibrant democracy that is representative to an ideal level.


We started with the Constituent Assembly in which members were enormously talented from all sections of society. But progressively with each election our parliament reflects authentically the mandate of people …wisdom of the people. And now what we have in the parliament is fairly representative. at a global level we do not have a parallel on that count.


We must keep only one thing in mind –interest of Bharat – above everything else.


It is indicated in the preamble of our constitution – we the people. That means the power resides in the people – their mandate, their wisdom. Indian parliament reflects the minds of the people.


In the year 2015-16, the Parliament was dealing with a constitutional amendment act and as a matter of record the entire Lok Sabha voted unanimously. There was no abstention and no dissention. And the amendment was passed. In Rajya Sabha it was unanimous, there was one abstention. We the people – their ordainment was converted into a constitutional provision.


Power of the people, which was expressed through a legitimate platform, that power was undone. The world does not know of any such instance.


I appeal to the people here, they constitute a judicial elite class, thinking minds, intellectuals – please find out a parallel in the world where a constitutional provision can be undone.


Our Indian constitution provides in explicit terms Art 145 (3). Interpretation of the constitution when a substantial question of law is involved can be done by the court. Nowhere it says that a provision can be run down.


If a constitutional provision that carries the ordainment of people at large in such a vibrant democracy, is undone, what will happen?


I’m appealing to everyone that these are the issues that should not be viewed on partisan lines. I expect everyone to rise to the occasion and be part of the growth story that is India at the moment.


I’m startled that after this verdict, there was no whispering in the parliament. It was taken as such. This is too serious an issue.


We are proud of our judiciary. It has contributed to the growth of promoting the rights of the people.


After 9/11, US had passed the Patriot Act. Not with this majority. And it was taken as. That is why primacy of national interest prevails.


Imagine if 73rd and 74th amendments were to be undone. What will happen?


Now friends I put it to you the basic of the basic structure is primacy of the will of the people. In democracy, there can be nothing more basic than the prevalence of the rights of the people. And the ordainment of the people should be reflected through a legitimised mechanism which is the legislature in a sanctified manner.


I’m sure it is never too late to reflect and think. Our judiciary is one of the critical institutions of governance long with the executive and legislature. The doctrine of separation of powers is fundamental to our governance. The harmonious working of these institutions is vital for the growth of democracy. Any incursion, howsoever subtle, in the domain of one by another has the capacity to unsettle the apple cart of governance.


We have a parliament that is far more representative at the moment.


I have an appeal that as a true citizen of this country, generate a public opinion that political stance should be distanced from sublimity of our constitutional functioning.


It is never too late. The basic structure doctrine, we have lived with it. We have taken as such. It was by a majority of 7 to 6.


As a student of law, can parliamentary sovereignty be ever compromised? Can a succeeding parliament have to be bound by what has been done by an earlier parliament?


I leave you with this thought.


****


MS/RK/DP




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Hindi







President’s Medals to Fire Service, Home Guards (HG) and Civil Defence (CD) personnel on the occasion of Republic Day, 2022


President’s Medal for Gallantry and President’s Medal for Distinguished Services as well as Gallantry Medal and Meritorious Services Medals are awarded to the personnel of Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards on Republic Day and Independence Day each year.


On the occasion of Republic Day, 2022, 42 personnel have been awarded Fire Service Medals.


Out of these, President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 01 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 02 personnel for their respective acts of valour and gallantry.


President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to 09 personnel and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded to 30 personnel for their respective distinguished and meritorious records of services.


In addition, 25 personnel/ volunteers are also awarded Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals on the occasion of the Republic Day, 2022. Of these, President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service and Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service are awarded to 02 personnel and 23 personnel respectively.


The lists of Fire Service Medals and Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals awardees are given below.




ANNEXURE




FIRE SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED TO FIRE SERVICE PERSONNEL ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY, 2022 AS PER THE FOLLOWING DETAILS











































































Sl. No.

Name &Designation



 

President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry




Maharashtra




1

Sh. Balu Damu Deshmukh   (Posthumous)


Fireman Rescuer




Fire Service Medal for Gallantry




Gujarat




1

Sh. Basant Kumar Pareek


Additional Chief Fire Officer





Punjab




1

Sh. Pradeep Kumar


Fire Station Officer




President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service


Assam




1

Sh. Tarun Baro


Sub-Officer




2

Sh. Khargeswar Rajbongshi


Leading Fireman





Kerala




1

Sh. Vinod Kumar T


Senior Fire & Rescue Officer




2

Sh. Sathe Kumar A


Senior Fire & Rescue Officer







Maharashtra




1

Sh. Prashant Dadaram Ranpise


Chief Fire Officer





Sikkim




1

Sh. Budhi Lall Subba


Sub Fire Officer





NFSC, MHA




1

Sh. Santosh Kamal Singh Pal


Leading Fireman





CISF, MHA




1

Sh. Omvir Prasad Sharma


Deputy Commandant (Fire)





M/O Petroleum & Natural Gas




1

Sh. Dinesh Kumar


General Manager (FS)




Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service




Assam




1

Sh. Upen Ch. Boro


Sub-Officer




2

Sh. Madan Chandra Kalita


Sub-Officer




3

Sh. Adit Chandra Kalita


Sub-Officer




4

Md. Zer Rahman


Leading Fireman




5

Md. Anowar Hussain


Leading Fireman





Kerala




1

Sh. Asokan K. V


Station Officer




2

Sh. Sanilal S


Senior Fire & Rescue Officer




3

Sh. Ramankutty P. K


Fire & Rescue Officer





Lakshadweep




1

Sh. B. Jaleel


Sub-Officer




 

Maharashtra




 1

Sh. Kiran Balmukund Gawde


Chief Fire Officer




 2

Sh. Sanjay Yashwant Manjrekar


Deputy Chief Fire Officer




3

Sh. Suresh Vishnu Patil


Leading Fireman




4

Sh. Sanjay Dattaram Mhamunkar


Leading Fireman




5

Sh. Chandrakant Narayan Anandas


Fireman





Meghalaya




1

Sh. Tandronath Kharbani


Driver Constable





Sikkim




1

Sh. Sonam Bhutia


Sub Fire Officer





Tamil Nadu




1

Sh. Kulandai Udaiyar Gopal


Station Officer




2

Sh. Arockiasamy Siluvaimanickam


Station Officer




3

Sh. Muthuthevar Manikandan


Leading Fireman




4

Sh. Rengan Maruthai


Fireman Driver




5

Sh. Durai Basker


Fireman





Telangana




1

Sh. Kalahasti Venkata Krishna Kumar


District Fire Officer





Tripura




1

Sh. Babul Sarkar


Sub-Officer





CISF, MHA




1

Sh. Braham Prakash Yadav


Asst. Commandant (Fire)




2

Sh. Lokendra Singh


Asst. Sub Inspector (Fire)




3

Sh. Kuldeep Kumar


Head Constable (Fire)





M/O Petroleum & Natural Gas




1

Sh. Sanjay Kumar Ram Singh Kataria


Chief Fireman




2

Sh. Satpal Singh


Deputy Chief Fireman




3

Sh. Swadesh Chandra Saha


Chief Fireman




4

Sh. Motiram Hazarika


Assistant Manager (Fire & Safety)




       






HOME GUARDS AND CIVIL DEFENCE MEDALS AWARDED TO HG & CD PERSONNEL ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY 2022 AS PER THE FOLLOWING DETAILS



























Sl. No.

Name & Designation



 

President’s Home Guards & Civil Defence Medal For Distinguished Service




Delhi



1

Sh.Satvinder Puri


Chief Warden (CD)



 

Meghalaya



1

Sh. Willy Nonglang


Dy. Controller (CD)

 

Home Guards & Civil Defence Medal For Meritorious Service


Assam



1

Sh. Jadab Kalita


Platoon  Commander (HG)




2

Sh. Pratap Chandra Deka


Havilder (HG)




3

Sh. Robin Chetia


Naik (HG)




4

Dr. Prasanna Malla Buzar Baruah


Dy. Divisional Warden (CD)





Delhi



1

Sh. Hazi   Sharif Ahmad                                                                     


Chief Warden (CD)




2

Dr. Ramesh Verma


Additional Chief Warden (CD)




3

Sh. Kamlakar Sharma


Divisional Warden (CD)





Gujarat



1

Sh. Sureshbhai Manjibhai Paghadal


Senior Platoon Commander (HG)




2

Miss Hansa Dungarbhai Makani


Senior Platoon Commander (HG)




3

Sh. Miteshbhai Ishvarbhai Patel


Company Commander (HG)




4

Sh. Alok Sukumar Roy


Deputy Chief Warden (CD)


























5

Sh. Rutvik Dhruvkant Joshi


Deputy Divisional Warden (CD)





Madhya Pradesh



1

Sh. Loknath Bagri


District Commandant (HG)





Meghalaya



1

Sh. Sangma Kukesh


Sub-Inspector (HG)




2

Sh. Liver Lyngdoh


Havildar (HG)





Odisha



1

Sh. Jayanta Kumar Patel,


Company Commander (HG)




2

Sh. Rabindra Kumar Mallick


Home Guard




3

Sh. Mayadhar Sutar


Home Guard




4

Sh. B. Raj Kisore Singh


Civil Defence Volunteer




5

Sh. Suraj Hemrom


Civil Defence Volunteer





Tamil Nadu



1

Sh. Dhanashekar Krishnasamy


Area Commander(HG)




2

Sh. Selvajothi Balagurunathan


Platoon Commander(HG)





Tripura



1

Sh. Anindya Kumar Battacharya


Director (CD)







NW/RK/AY/RR






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PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF LOHRI, MAKAR SANKRANTI, PONGAL, BHOGALI BIHU, UTTARAYAN AND PAUSH PARVA


The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has greeted his fellow citizens on the eve of Lohri (which falls on 13th January, 2022), Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parva (which fall on 14th January, 2022).


In a message, the President has said, “On the occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parva, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad.


A majority of the festivals celebrated in our country depict our integral relationship with nature and agriculture. The festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parva, mark the harvesting season of crops as the winter season ends and ushers in the spring. People enjoy the fruits of good harvest and celebrate these festivals which also underline the need to preserve our environment. It is not only an example of Indian diversity but also that of unity in diversity of our country.


I pray to God that these festivals develop the spirit of fraternity among the people while prosperity and happiness prevail in our country”.


 Click here for President’s message in hindi


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 DS/SH




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President’s Ram Navami Greetings

 The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Ram Navami has said: –

On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the fellow citizens.

The birthday of Lord Shri Ram is celebrated as Ram Navami with great fervour. As we strive for justice and human dignity, we find the ideals of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram of great support. Lord Shri Ram taught us how to live a virtuous life. His entire life and his teachings of righteousness, truthfulness, and moderation keep inspiring us.

On this occasion, let us take a pledge to inculcate the ideals of Lord Ram in our lives and to make united efforts towards building a glorious India.”

Click here to see the President’s message in Hindi

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DS

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President’s Greetings on the eve of Birth Anniversary of dr. B.R. Ambedkar

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has greeted fellow-citizens on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.  

In a message, the President has said, “On the birth anniversary of the architect of the Constitution of India, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the fellow citizens. 

All through his inspiring life, Dr. Ambedkar charted his unique path in the midst of extreme adversity and earned commendations for his extraordinary and multi-faceted achievements. 

He was an ardent advocate of human rights, who set up the ‘Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha’ with the aim of improving socio-economic status of the people of deprived communities of India and for spread of education amongst them. Dr. Ambedkar envisioned a better and just society and fought for it throughout his life. He wanted to create a modern India where there would be no prejudice on the basis of caste or any other reason; where women and communities subjected to backwardness for centuries would enjoy equity of economic and social rights. 

On the occasion of Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, let us resolve to imbibe his ideals in our lives by learning from his life and ideas and contribute towards building a strong and prosperous India.” 

 Please Click here to see the President Massage

*****

 DS/BM

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