Namaste, सैन बैनो
First of all I convey my greetings on the occasion of the 134th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Father of the Constitution of India. I am thankful to the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, the Institute of Constitutional Law and the Centre of Indian Studies in Mongolia for collaborating with us in organising this important Conference on the “Contributions of the Constitutions of India and Mongolia in Nation Building”.
The topics of discussion which have been selected for the Conference are indeed very relevant. I am delighted that several Law students are also participating in this event. This event is an important event to celebrate the 75 years of the Constitution of India and the 70th anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Mongolia.
Both India and Mongolia are democratic countries who greatly value the contribution of their Constitutions in nation building. Democracy is an important pillar of the friendly relations between India and Mongolia.
I will quote here one of my personal experience of the power bestowed on the people by the Constitution of India. I was working as the Passport Officer of Pune Region during the period 2014-2017. As an important member of the Government machinery, I had the job to issue Passports to the citizens of India. In theory, as a Law student I had read that any person who is aggrieved with the Government can sue the Government in the High Court or Supreme Court directly in case his Fundamental Rights are violated. As the Passport Officer of the Pune region, I was pleasantly surprised that several citizens had sued me for the non-issuance of Passports. Even though I was a litigant and had to face various cases in the Court of Law but at the same time I was very happy and proud of the Constitution of India where a common man can sue the Government of India. In this context, I recall the words of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who said that Article 32 of the Constitution is the soul of the Constitution whereby any citizen whose Fundamental Right is violated can approach the Supreme Court of India.
One more contribution of the Constitution is to bind a country of several languages, cultures, customs and varied geography into a single Union of States for more than 75 years. If one compares the surrounding countries of India who gained Independence during the same time as India, one can understand that how the checks and balance which have been inbuilt in the Constitution of India with respect to the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary have helped in a strong nation building. Justice, Equality and Liberty are the three pillars of the Constitution of India which are clearly mentioned in the preamble of the Constitution.
India and Mongolia are strategic partners, third neighbours and Spiritual Brothers. Our historical cultural ties have deep civilizational linkages through Buddhism. The bilateral friendly relations are multifaceted and today’s conference has added one more beautiful angle to our relationship
It is very heartening to see that Justice G. Bayasgalan, who has studied in India has attained the highest Judicial post in Mongolia i.e. the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia is present amongst us today as the Chief Guest.
I have always believed that relationships between two countries are not built by governments alone. People's participation is crucial in strengthening these relationships. The people to people contact between the two countries is contributing immensely to the strengthening of the bilateral relations. This conference plays an important role in furthering people-to-people ties.
I thank all organisers, especially Ambassador O. Nyamdavaa, Justice G. Bayasgalan, all panellist, moderators and all student participants and my Embassy staff for making this event successful.
Thank you/Bayarllala/Jai Bhim.
