#memory
#history
Constituent Assembly.
9 December 1946 is the historic day on which
the Constituent Assembly of the soon to be independent India met for the first time in New Delhi.
The Constituent Assembly was constituted as per the provisions of the Indian Independence Act passed by the British parliament.
The August body constituted to frame a new Constitution for independent India met in the Constitution Hall, which was later called the Central Hall of the old Parliament House.
Overwhelmed and jubilant as they were, the honourable members sat in semi-circular rows facing the Presidential dias.
Those who adorned the front row were Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Acharya J.B. Kripalani, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Smt. Sarojini Naidu, Hare-Krushna Mahatab, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sarat Chandra Bose, C. Rajagopalachari and M. Asaf Ali.
207 representatives, including 9 women were present.
The inaugural session began at 11 am, with the introduction of Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, the temporary Chairman of the Assembly, by Acharya Kripalani.
( Dr Rajendra Prasad was later elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly).
Occupying the Chair amidst acclamation, Dr. Sinha read out the goodwill messages received from different countries across the world. After the Chairman’s inaugural address and the nomination of a Deputy Chairman, the members were formally requested to present their credentials.
The first day’s proceedings ended after all the 207 members present, submitted their credentials and signed the register.
Seated in the galleries, some thirty feet above the floor of the Chamber, the representatives of the Press and the visitors witnessed this memorable event.
The All India Radio, Delhi broadcast a composite sound picture of the entire proceedings.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
