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Celebration of Constitution Day of India at the High Commission of India, Nairobi

A panel discussion was organised by the High Commission of India, Nairobi on 30 November 2015 to commemorate the Constitution Day of India at the High Commission’s Apa Pant auditorium.


The main speakers were Mr Sharad Rao, Kenyan jurist; Mr PherozeNowrojee, Senior Counsel and Prof YashpalGhai, eminent constitutional expert. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya Dr Willy Mutunga was the chief guest. More than 120 persons comprising Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges, jurists, lawyers, MPs, Governors ofcounties, diplomatic representatives,Indian community leaders and media representatives were present.


The function began with a video clip produced by XPD Division ‘’Tana Bana’ on the Indian constitution.In her opening remarks, High Commissioner SmtSuchitraDuraiSwaminathantouched upon the historical context of the drafting of the Indian constitution, the invaluable contribution of Dr B R Ambedkar, as chairman of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly, in its drafting and the main features which make the Indian constitution an extraordinary document which has stood the test of time.

Mr Sharad Rao, an eminent jurist of Indian origin spoke on Dr B.R Ambedkar and his role as a social reformer. Mr PherozeNowrojee, a leading Kenyan human rights lawyer (and a PravasiBharatiyaSammanwinner)speaking on “Building a Just Nation by Just Means” highlighted the importance given to fundamental rights through the days of our freedom struggle and outlined the contributionsof Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, DinshawMulla, Justice Khanna and NaniPalkivala in enabling India to become a ‘just nation” and a world power. Prof YashpalGhaicompared the Indian constitution to the Kenyan constitution and spoke of how the radical Indian leaders of independent India created a radical Indian constitution.


Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga’sin hisaddress on “Judicial Activism and the Supreme Court of India” mentioned that Article 22 of the Kenyan constitution on basic rights is based on the Indian constitution. He also spoke of “transformative economics” followed by governments in India which has led to India’s economic growth. Members from the audience spoke about the contribution of Prof UpendraBaxi, the role of former Supreme Court Chief Justice P.N Bhagwati etc. The common thread underlying the discussions was that the Indian Constitution had been a source of inspiration for the drafters of the Kenyan constitution.


5.     Given the high quality of intellectual discourse which it generated, the first such public event to be organised by the High Commission of India, Nairobi in its own auditorium in more than five years, was greatly appreciated.

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1 December, 2015

 

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