26 November, observed as “National Constitution Day”
Constitution of India was adopted on 26 November 1949 after the Constituent Assembly, constituted in 1946, finalized this document after 3 years of deliberations.
It is to the credit to OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat in Haryana, for establishing a first-of-its-kind ‘Constitution Museum’ on their campus that was inaugurated on 26 November 2024 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution.
In a thoughtful gesture the University invited descendants of the Constituent Assembly members to the event. My father, C.M. Poonacha, was one of the 300 members of this august body, and I was fortunate to be invited along with my sisters and brother for the programme last year.
The University is now conducting seminars on individual members of the Constituent Assembly. We were once again invited to take part in the seminar on C.M. Poonacha, on 15th October this year. Reproduced below is a write up on the event covered by ANI.
Exhibition to Honour Legacy of C.M. Poonacha, Constituent Assembly Member at the Constitution Museum in O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU).
https://www.aninews.in/news/business/exhibition-to-honour-legacy-of-cm-poonacha-constituent-assembly-member-at-the-constitution-museum-in-jgu20251016172115/
O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat (Haryana), October 16, 2025.
As a part of its commitment in honouring the legacy of the framers of the Constitution of India, The Constitution Museum & Rights and Freedom Academy, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) commemorates the 115th Birth Anniversary of Shri C.M. Poonacha by curating an exhibition in his memory. Shri Poonacha, a Member of Constituent Assembly, served independent India as Chief Minister of Coorg, the Union Minister of Railways and as Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
The exhibition displays original photographs capturing various moments of Shri Poonacha’s life, epistles, books, constitutional and other official documents, and other memorabilia belonging to Shri Poonacha. The exhibition also features a historically significant ampoule containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, which Shri Poonacha received and kept in reverence throughout his life.
In the Constituent Assembly Shri Poonacha made impactful contributions in the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Committee of Chief Commissioners’ Provinces. In the Assembly Debates, Shri Poonacha articulated the significance of Coorg Province in the emerging federal structure of India. He also advocated for a measured degree of autonomy to the provinces, emphasizing the importance of preserving the cultural and political identity of Coorg while remaining firmly anchored in the unity of India.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Prof (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University stated that, “The Constitution Museum and the Rights and Freedom Academy – India’s first museum dedicated to the Constitution – remain deeply committed to honouring the legacies of each of the 300 members of the Constituent Assembly. Entering the fourth quarter of the century leading up to 100 years of Indian Independence, we carry a moral responsibility to contribute to nation-building. Through these exhibitions, we strive to continually remind the people of India about the dreamsof a bygone generation – their unwavering dedication to the nation and profound commitment to justice and liberty. In doing so, the Constitution Museum at JGU fulfils its purpose as vital educational space for cultivating constitutional morality.”
In April 2025, the Museum hosted a similar exhibition in memory of Shri R. Shankar, member of the Constituent Assembly from Travancore-Cochin. The present exhibition will remain open for the public from 15th to 18th October 2025.
The exhibition commenced with an engaging panel discussion titled”C.M. Poonacha: A Constitutional Exemplar: In the Words of his Children,” which set the tone for an insightful exploration of Shri Poonacha’s legacy.
Speaking in the panel discussion inaugurating the exhibition, and remembering their father’s legacy Mr C.P. Belliappa, son of Shri Poonacha, and Mrs Vijaya Muthanna and Dr Kavery Nambisan, daughters of Shri Poonacha, observed that “Our father upheld constitutional values in all aspects of life. He was a man of principles who never compromised his ethics for his personal gains – he left his education to participate in the national movement heeding to Mahatma Gandhi’s call. Throughout his life he remained a true Gandhian – he believed in the power of satyagraha, ahimsa, and social upliftment of masses. He held Coorg close to his heart yet not forgetting his primary allegiance to the nation.”
The exhibition will close on the 18th of October 2025.
By: C.P. Belliappa
