ABOUT US
Build India Group was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 on 27th May 2008 with registration number S/62309.
The idea of Build India Group (BIG) was born in 2006 when a group of Delhi-based friends came together and decided to formulate a National Pledge and a programme of activities around it to inculcate a sense of Indianness and unity amongst all Indians, rising above differences of faith, region, caste and language. It was also conceived as a commitment to place the Nation First.
The founders also saw the need for creating an Institution of Politics to cultivate future leaders who would better understand how the noble profession of politics can lead the Nation to glory.
With these aims, BIG began its journey focusing on building citizenry consciousness across the country with Article 51A of the Constitution, dealing with Fundamental Duties, as its foundation. It has a target of involving 30 crore school students and their parents.
- The organisation developed a Pledge with uniformity of content across 22 languages. Keeping this Pledge as a commitment tool, BIG has developed various programmes for promoting citizenry consciousness among students across the country, in line with Article 51A.
- A National Pledge Festival Day has been celebrated on the third Saturday of January every year. Many institutions across the country have participated in this festival through activities promoting citizenry consciousness.
- From 2016, this Pledge Festival has been celebrated on November 26, Constitution Day. The significance of this date lies in the fact that on this day in 1949, the people of India ceased to be subjects of various kingdoms and became sovereign owners of the nation. The Constitution was adopted on this day and is therefore celebrated annually as Constitution Day.
Our Leadership
Below is a list of BIG's operational team. This team was established with full-time members who could devote greater focus and carry forward BIG programmes across the country.
The statutory office bearers of the registered society are:
- President: Mr Biraja Mahapatra
- Secretary: Mr Nishant Datta
- Treasurer: Mr Kiran Kumar Patra
- National Coordinator: Mr D. Rajeshwar Rao
- Founding Member: Mr Pankaj Sukheja
Throughout our journey we have been helped by a long list of friends to whom we remain eternally grateful.
A special mention must be made of Mr Chakradhar Panda, who created the beautiful decorative pledges in 22 languages, and Mr Rajeev Saksena, whose dulcet voice brought the sung version of the pledge to life.
A few of our supporters and founding members are sadly no longer with us, but their contributions remain an integral part of the Build India Group journey.
Operational Team
Advisors
Landmark Events In Our Journey
2015 – Constitution Day
In 2015, Build India Group met Shri Prakash Javadekar to request that Constitution Day be celebrated with Fundamental Duties as its central theme. We had also suggested that November 26 be celebrated as Citizen's Day rather than Constitution Day, since it was on this day that the citizens of India became sovereign owners of the nation.
However, the Prime Minister chose to announce a discussion in both Houses of Parliament on 30 November and 1 December to deliberate upon the Constitution. Consequently, 26 November was formally designated as Samvidhan Divas (Constitution Day). This marks the day on which the Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly.
During the parliamentary discussion commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B. R. Ambedkar, former lawmaker and Build India Group Patron, Shri A. V. Swamy, brought to the attention of members of the Rajya Sabha the work being undertaken by Build India Group to promote awareness of Fundamental Duties among students across the country.
The following video is a record of Shri A. V. Swamy's speech in the Rajya Sabha, introducing the work of Build India Group. The speech generated considerable awareness and interest in the organisation's efforts to promote responsible citizenship.
2016 – Introduction of Fundamental Duties
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi constituted a Cabinet Committee comprising Ministers Jual Oram, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Prakash Javadekar to determine the modalities for the celebration of Constitution Day from 26 November 2016 onwards.
On 28 November 2016, HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar endorsed integrity-building exercises across educational institutions using Build India Group's pledge and associated programmes.
Instructions issued to educational institutions were reported in both the Hindustan Times and The Times of India, reproducing the back page of Build India Group's brochure. Educational institutions were encouraged to celebrate Constitution Day with a focus on Fundamental Duties as enshrined in Article 51A of the Constitution.
Suggested activities included education on civic responsibilities, rejection of violence in all forms, environmental stewardship, debates, speeches, essay competitions and pledge ceremonies designed to strengthen responsible citizenship.
2017 – Aikyataan: Symphony of Harmony
Bolstering National Integration Through Mass Participation
To strengthen the spirit of national integration, promote good citizenry and mark Constitution Day on 26 November, Build India Group devised a unique nationwide programme called Aikyataan – Symphony of Harmony.
The programme invited people across the country to express solidarity against violence through a synchronised symphony of conch shells, drums, musical instruments and even simple household utensils at a predetermined time.
The idea recognised that while a country is a physical entity, a nation is an emotional bond. Prior to Independence, India was neither a unified country nor a unified nation. The objective of Aikyataan was to strengthen both.
Reaching Out
Build India Group adopted a three-pronged strategy involving children, religious institutions and policymakers to help foster national integration across all sections of society.
Religious institutions play an important role because all faiths seek to promote good citizenry. Good citizenry remains one of the strongest antidotes to corruption, extremism and social division.
This innovative methodology of mass participation later found favour with the Prime Minister and was adopted nationally during the COVID period to express gratitude towards frontline workers. Similar approaches were subsequently adopted internationally.
Below are examples of the Aikyataan / Symphony of Harmony programme conducted in Delhi.
2017 – Haritbol
Plants play a critical role in the survival of humanity. Through photosynthesis they produce oxygen, provide food and shelter for animals, and supply food, medicine, fuel and raw materials for human beings. They also provide habitats for countless organisms and support biodiversity.
Plants play an equally important environmental role by absorbing carbon dioxide, filtering pollutants from the air, maintaining ecological balance and supporting the carbon cycle. Their roots help bind soil, prevent erosion and maintain soil fertility. Trees also help moderate temperatures and reduce the effects of global warming.
Hugging a tree can provide significant physical and mental health benefits, many of which are associated with the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku or "forest bathing". Physical contact and proximity to trees have been shown to reduce stress and support the body's natural defence systems.
It is important that young people understand the value of nurturing plants. Planting saplings today helps create the healthy forests and green spaces needed by future generations.
As part of Constitution Day celebrations, students plant saplings and tie a commitment thread around trees, pledging to care for them as they grow.
This initiative has seen widespread adoption during Pledge Festivals across schools and educational institutions.
2019 – My Health Is My Country's Wealth
Healthy citizens are the foundation of a wealthy nation. They contribute to economic productivity, reduce healthcare burdens and foster social development. A nation's true wealth lies in the well-being of its people.
Better health enables individuals to participate more effectively in education, employment, innovation and community life, creating a virtuous cycle in which health and prosperity reinforce one another.
How Healthy Citizens Build a Wealthy Nation
- Increased Productivity: Healthy individuals are more energetic, focused and productive.
- Stronger Workforce: A healthy population creates a robust labour force essential for national growth.
- Reduced Healthcare Costs: Fewer illnesses free resources for education, infrastructure and development.
- Investment Attraction: Healthy populations make nations more attractive for investment.
- Social Stability: Better health contributes to stronger communities and social harmony.
The relationship between health and wealth is mutually reinforcing. Wealthier nations can invest more in healthcare, prevention and education, while healthier citizens generate greater economic growth and national prosperity.
Recognising this, Build India Group promotes healthy lifestyles through its school programmes. We encourage cleanliness, environmental responsibility, healthy eating habits, daily exercise, participation in sports and teamwork-based activities that contribute to physical and mental well-being.
Healthy Habits
Healthy Food
Team Sport
Yoga & Exercise
2025 – Adoption of the Pledge as Part of Morning Prayers
It is heartening to see that the pledge drafted in 22 Indian languages has been adopted by several educational institutions as part of their morning prayers. Propounded by Build India Group, the pledge is simple, easy to remember and can be recited by people from all sections of society in their mother tongue.
It has also come to our notice that the pledge, in a standardised format, has found a place as wall hangings in several institutions and public spaces. Our goal is now clearly defined: to make this pledge a part of prayer meetings in educational institutions across the country.
Encouragingly, no institution has said "No" to this idea. This acceptance remains one of our greatest strengths.
Available in multiple Indian languages, the pledge is secular, meaningful and promotes emotional integration. Many educators have observed that it complements the spirit of the Preamble and helps reinforce constitutional values in a simple and accessible manner.
A pledge for the country, a prayer to foster emotional integration, and a powerful idea to promote Indianness among all Indians—this is a small step towards a significant national transformation.
We invite you to join this movement and help achieve the goal of enabling children across India to affirm, every day, that the Nation comes first.
Whilst good citizenry building remains the core activity of Build India Group, the organisation is also working towards establishing an Institution of Politics based in Odisha.
All efforts of Build India Group have thus far been self-financed by its promoters.
Pledge Adoption in Schools
Morning Prayer – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Morning Prayer – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Morning Prayer – Odisha School
Founder's Interview
Founder and visionary Shri Biraja Mahapatra shares the journey of the idea behind Build India Group, its evolution, and the vision for creating a stronger sense of citizenship and national responsibility across India.