New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday (November 26) said that rights and duties are the two sides of a coin and asserted that there is a need to fulfil responsibilities in a manner that rights get protected.

Addressing the joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament in central hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of Constitution Day, he said the Constitution forms the basis of the largest democracy in the world.

President Kovind said that India's practice of democracy is hailed all over the world and 78 women getting elected to the 17th Lok Sabha was "proud achievement" for democracy.

The President further said that drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly, under the chairmanship of Bhimrao Ambedkar, displayed unparalleled prudence, honesty, grit and diligence and gave final shape to the Constitution.

"While delivering his last speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949, Ambedkar had said that the success of the Constitution would depend upon the conduct of the people of India and the political parties," the President said.

"This is a commendable initiative to reiterate our gratitude to the chief architect of our Constitution," he said.