THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

India's Constitution was a miracle  - a gift to the Indian people. With many changes, the Constitution of 1950 has survived for decades to win the acclaim of being the largest functioning democracy in the world.

But has the constitution worked well ? Or, is it failing ? I look at this in three ways. The first is to examine whether the Constitutions and processes set up by the constitution have retained their integrity. The report card to invite scrutiny does not look good. The second is whether the constitution promises to people of India have been comprehensively met at all levels and for all classes. Here, too, the report card is not too good - invoking concern and, at times, even despair. The third is the question of hope. It is upto the people of India to devise ways and means by which they can redeem the Constitution which has been stolen from them by their rulers.