Every year on November 26, India celebrates Constitution Day, turning the spotlight to the original handwritten copy of the Indian Constitution. This priceless document is preserved under extremely controlled conditions in a nitrogen-filled glass chamber in the Parliament Library, ensuring it remains safe for future generations.
A masterpiece on paper and why it needs protection
The Constitution of India is unique, it was painstakingly handwritten in elegant calligraphy. The English version was penned by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, while the Hindi version was written by another scribe. The pages are also beautifully illustrated and decorated under the guidance of Nandalal Bose and his team from Santiniketan.
Because the Constitution is a physical artifact made of paper and ink, it is vulnerable to damage over time. Exposure to air, humidity, dust or microbes could degrade the paper or cause the ink to fade or oxidize. To preserve this masterpiece, extreme care is needed.
Nitrogen chamber: Science for forever preservation
To safeguard the original copies, they are kept in airtight glass containers filled with nitrogen; a neutral, non-reactive gas. This reduces exposure to oxygen, preventing chemical damage, microbial decay, insect attack and slowing the degradation of paper and ink. Humidity and temperature inside the chamber are carefully controlled.
Initially, helium-filled chambers were used, but they were replaced with nitrogen-filled ones in 1994 due to maintenance and leakage issues. Today, the Hindi and English copies of the handwritten Constitution rest safely in this chamber inside the Parliament Library, protected under strict climate control and regular monitoring.
As India celebrates Constitution Day, it is a reminder that the Constitution is more than just a legal document, it is a historic, artistic and cultural treasure. Preserving it ensures that future generations can connect with the original legacy of the visionaries who shaped modern India.
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