WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly
resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN
SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...
I am damn sure half of you won't even be knowing the meaning of all the words written over here (see the end of the blog to know the meaning of each word). The thing which we talk the most about our constitution are our fundamental rights. We always keep demanding our 'rights'. Even a school going child can recite the Fundamental Rights bestowed upon us by the constitution:
1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right Against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
But the thing which we never talk about is another section of the constitution and that is the fundamental duties which are expected out of every citizen of this country. Forget about performing these duties, the bitter truth is most of us are not even aware of these duties! We always ask for our rights but when its time to give in form of our duties, we back off. Well! I am not going to give you a moral lecture on these, but this post is just to remind you of the existence of such things called 'Fundamental Duties' in the constitution and for your reference, this is what the constitution says:
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India—
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the
National Anthem;
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of Indiatranscending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
(j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
(k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the
case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
PS:
SOVEREIGN: Independent; autonomous; which is not controlled by external forces; self governed
SOCIALIST: In this context Socialist means social equality i.e absence of discrimination on the grounds only of caste, color, creed, sex, religion or language. It does not connote any economic or political ideology.
SECULAR: Equality of all religions and religious tolerance
DEMOCRATIC: People elect their government.
REPUBLIC: The head of the state is elected directly or indirectly for a fixed tenure.
resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN
SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...
I am damn sure half of you won't even be knowing the meaning of all the words written over here (see the end of the blog to know the meaning of each word). The thing which we talk the most about our constitution are our fundamental rights. We always keep demanding our 'rights'. Even a school going child can recite the Fundamental Rights bestowed upon us by the constitution:
1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right Against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
But the thing which we never talk about is another section of the constitution and that is the fundamental duties which are expected out of every citizen of this country. Forget about performing these duties, the bitter truth is most of us are not even aware of these duties! We always ask for our rights but when its time to give in form of our duties, we back off. Well! I am not going to give you a moral lecture on these, but this post is just to remind you of the existence of such things called 'Fundamental Duties' in the constitution and for your reference, this is what the constitution says:
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India—
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the
National Anthem;
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of Indiatranscending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
(j) to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement;
(k) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the
case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
PS:
SOVEREIGN: Independent; autonomous; which is not controlled by external forces; self governed
SOCIALIST: In this context Socialist means social equality i.e absence of discrimination on the grounds only of caste, color, creed, sex, religion or language. It does not connote any economic or political ideology.
SECULAR: Equality of all religions and religious tolerance
DEMOCRATIC: People elect their government.
REPUBLIC: The head of the state is elected directly or indirectly for a fixed tenure.
