Build India Group was founded on a simple conviction: every strong nation is built by responsible citizens. While much public discourse focuses on rights guaranteed by the Constitution, we believe equal emphasis must also be given to the duties every citizen owes to the Nation.

Inspired by the Fundamental Duties contained in Article 51A of the Constitution of India, Build India Group works to cultivate Citizenship Consciousness through education, participation and community engagement.

Today our mission remains unchanged—to inspire every citizen to place the Nation First and contribute towards building a stronger, healthier and more united India.

Build India Group had a humble beginning in September 2006 at Chamber No. 12, Delhi High Court, under the leadership of journalist-turned-lawyer Biraja Mahapatra.

He was joined by Nishant Datta, Shanmuga Patro, Kiran Kumar Patra, Gautam Basu, Sudha Passi, Avtar Nehru and Nabajyoti Das.

What began as discussions on corruption, terrorism, governance and national integration gradually evolved into a larger question: How can responsible citizenship become the foundation of nation building?

After nearly two years of discussions, Build India Group publicly launched its first Citizen's Pledge programme during January 2008 at Baijnath School, New Friends Colony, New Delhi.

Founder Shri Biraja Mahapatra published My Call in February 2008, outlining the philosophy and roadmap of the organisation.

The movement entered schools on 14 August 2008 at City Prince Public School, East Delhi, marking the beginning of a nationwide educational movement.

The encouraging response from schools demonstrated that constitutional values could be communicated through simple, participatory activities. What began as a modest experiment in Delhi soon started attracting the attention of educators, parents and community leaders.

Build India Group refined its programmes, encouraged discussions on responsible citizenship and began translating the Citizen's Pledge into Indian languages so that children could take the pledge in their own mother tongue.

These formative years laid the foundation for a national movement dedicated to building Citizenship Consciousness through education, participation and community engagement.

Build India Group believes that the Constitution is not merely a legal document—it is a guide to responsible citizenship. While Fundamental Rights are widely discussed, the organisation has consistently advocated equal emphasis on the Fundamental Duties contained in Article 51A.

The organisation therefore proposed that 26 November, the day the Constitution was adopted, should become a national day dedicated to citizenship, constitutional values and civic responsibility.

Beginning in 2012, Build India Group submitted proposals to the Government of India requesting that 26 November be celebrated nationally with the Fundamental Duties as its central theme.

The organisation suggested that schools, colleges, offices and communities should observe the day through the Citizen's Pledge, discussions on constitutional values, community participation and activities promoting responsible citizenship.

Build India Group also proposed that the day be observed as Citizen's Day, recognising that sovereignty ultimately rests with the people of India.

In 2015, representatives of Build India Group met Shri Prakash Javadekar and requested that Constitution Day be celebrated nationally with the Fundamental Duties at its core.

Later that year, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced that 26 November would be observed as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas), commemorating the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.

During the discussion marking the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Build India Group Patron Shri A. V. Swamy highlighted the organisation's work in promoting awareness of the Fundamental Duties among educational institutions across India.

Build India Group continues to advocate that Constitution Day should evolve into a true national activity day rather than simply a commemorative occasion.

The organisation envisages simultaneous Citizen's Pledges, discussions on constitutional values, environmental initiatives, community service, inter-faith harmony and cultural programmes involving schools and citizens across India.

Following the declaration of Constitution Day in 2015, the Government of India constituted a Cabinet Committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to consider measures for promoting constitutional awareness and the Fundamental Duties.

This represented an important national effort to encourage citizens to understand that democracy is strengthened not only through rights but also through responsible conduct.

Build India Group submitted detailed recommendations to the Government of India for promoting the Fundamental Duties through schools, universities and public institutions. The organisation emphasised that constitutional values become meaningful only when citizens understand and practise their duties in everyday life.

As part of this process, representatives of Build India Group met Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar to present the organisation's proposals on strengthening Citizenship Consciousness through education.

Build India Group delegation meeting Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar, to discuss the promotion of the Fundamental Duties and Constitution Day initiatives.

In 2017, Build India Group launched Aikyataan – Symphony of Harmony, a unique national initiative designed to strengthen constitutional values, promote responsible citizenship and reinforce the spirit of national integration on Constitution Day.

The programme invited people across India to participate simultaneously through the sounding of conch shells, bells, drums, musical instruments and even simple household utensils, creating a symbolic Symphony of Harmony across the country.

The idea recognised that while a country is a geographical entity, a nation is sustained by shared values, mutual trust and emotional unity. Aikyataan sought to strengthen this bond through peaceful public participation.

Plants sustain life by producing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, providing food, medicine and shelter while maintaining ecological balance. Protecting trees is therefore not merely an environmental concern but an essential civic responsibility.

Haritbol encourages students to develop a lifelong relationship with nature. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing), the programme demonstrates how spending time with trees improves both physical and emotional well-being.

As part of Constitution Day celebrations and Pledge Festivals, students plant saplings and tie a commitment thread around each tree, symbolising their promise to nurture it as it grows.

A nation's greatest wealth lies in the health of its people. Healthy citizens contribute more effectively to education, employment, innovation, public service and national development.

Good health strengthens families, reduces healthcare costs, improves productivity and enables every citizen to participate fully in building a stronger India.

The initiative promotes balanced nutrition, regular physical exercise, sports, yoga, mental well-being, cleanliness and environmental responsibility.

Healthy habits developed during childhood remain lifelong assets and help create responsible citizens capable of contributing positively to society.

The Citizen's Pledge was conceived as a simple daily affirmation reminding every student that rights and duties go together. By beginning each day with a pledge to place the Nation's interest first, children gradually develop habits of responsible citizenship.

Simple, secular and easy to remember, the pledge reinforces the spirit of the Constitution and encourages constitutional values to become part of everyday life.

Today the Citizen's Pledge is available in all 22 official Indian languages, allowing students from every linguistic region of India to affirm their commitment to the Nation in their own mother tongue.

This multilingual approach reflects India's unity in diversity and ensures that responsible citizenship can be understood and practised by every child.

During 2025, schools in different parts of India began adopting the Citizen's Pledge as part of their daily morning assemblies.

Although still in its early stages, this represents a significant milestone. Each school that adopts the pledge strengthens the movement and demonstrates that responsible citizenship can become part of everyday education.

Build India Group continues to work with educators, school leaders and institutions to encourage wider adoption throughout the country.