Republic!

The fundamental values and the guiding principles on which the Constitution of India is based. Reflected here in the Preamble to the Constitution:

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

This came into action today, 26 January. India celebrates Republic Day, 60 years of being a Republic. 60 years since we promised ourselves what we wanted as a nation. 60 years of moving up, ahead and onwards. In the name of progress and development. In the name of nation building.
The definitions of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity are the same, the applications of them have changed.
We said we are a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic. The secular bit is something that sticks in my head...how many of us really believe in that..after Kashmir, Gujarat and Punjab problems! But let me not throw a damper on the celebrations, and just use this to remind those who think of India as a Hindu nation - that we are not Hindu (Nepal is), we are a secular country of many shades and many religions. A tolerant nation that has never started a war, has never dominated territories, has never enslaved any people..we are India. As promised - above!