On this day, in 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect and the country declared itself to be a Republic. We recommend a new children’s book by one of India’s leading voices, and a few other accompanying reads
The book reflects multiple ideals for readers. Illustrations courtesy/Priya Kuriyan
Harsh Mander’s book, Our Constitution Our People (HarperCollins Children’s Books) offers a brief history of how the constitution came to be drafted and why it stands as the most important document in the country. It further breaks down its key components such as the preamble and ideas of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity. One of the most fascinating chapters deals with the right to vote. Young readers learn about how including this small feature, which allows every citizen to vote, was a radical step for the drafting committee.
Such careful considerations, readers gather, resulted in the long-drawn out process of the drafting of the constitution. The book ends aptly on a note where Mander measures how much we’ve accomplished so far and how much more there is to do. His sharp writing makes it an engaging read for children. It is bolstered by Priya Kuriyan’s precise illustrations, especially of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar, whose values reflect in the document.
The Guide’s Other Reccos
A Flag, A Song and a Pinch of Salt: Freedom Fighters of India: Subhadra Sen Gupta’s delightful book (Puffin) introduces young readers to figures who were instrumental in India’s fight for freedom. These include Dr BR Ambedkar, Sarojini Naidu, Abul Kalam Azad, Bhagat Singh, among others. They shaped various freedom movements and contributed to the centuries-long struggle in multiple ways — from introducing social reforms to writing literature that stood against British rule.
Five Fantastic Facts about the Indian Constitution: Ashok Rajagopalan’s slim illustrated work (Tulika Books) takes young readers through five important lesser-known facts about the constitution. For instance, he gives a detailed explanation of the drafting process, informing his readers about the number of people who were consulted and the distinct backgrounds they belonged to. The book ends with exciting activities which nudge children to engage in critical thought.
Harsh Mander
After Midnight: Meghaa Gupta’s incisive work (Puffin) takes young readers on a journey through several developments that the country has witnessed since its independence. With the help of anecdotes as well as infographics and illustrations by Sayan Mukherjee, the book offers fun bite-sized facts and timelines of technological, social, scientific, environmental, economic steps that have led to the growth of the country.
Meghaa Gupta, Subhadra Sen Gupta, Kavitha Mandana and Ashok Rajagopalan
A Story of India’s National Flag: As part of the ‘A Story of’ series (Talking Cub), Kavitha Mandana fills us in on how the flag came to be designed in 1906 and again in 1947. An important feature at Republic Day parades, the flag as we see it today was a creation of many hands, not one person alone. From Kartar Singh to Sister Nivedita as well as revolutionaries like Hemchandra Kanungo and Sachindra Prasad, we read stories about all those who contributed to the evolution of the tricolour.
Available: Leading bookstores and e-stores (all titles)
Cost: Rs 299
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