India will celebrate her 68th Republic Day on January 26, 2017. It was on this day, in the year, 1950, the Constitution of India came into force and our country was proclaimed as a Sovereign, Democratic Republic. The Constitution is the Supreme document that governs our great country. Republic Day represents the true spirit of Independent India and marks the patriotic fervor of all Indians across the country who celebrates this event with great enthusiasm every year. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
On another topic like many others, I too decided to be a part of Modi’s Digital India drive and tried to open an account for my part-time domestic help so that I could pay her online. Armed with a photocopy of her voter ID and two passport-sized photographs, I took her to a bank and was told by the branch manager that to open an account, she needs to have a PAN number. And in order to obtain a PAN card, one needs to show documents supporting proof of birth which the woman does not possess. At this point, I just gave up.
Jubel D’Cruz,
Mumbai, India
