On Our Shoulders
March 17, 2019
Is freedom for free or shall we take it for granted?
When our forefathers fought for our freedom, they had a
great vision for our land and its citizens. They believed that every individual
has a respective role to play in the well-being of our nation.
This freedom from the British despotic rule paved way for a
unique SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLIC. The word unique is used in the sense that our
constitution is a collective model that enshrines the best practices followed
in great democracies. When British opted for
parliamentary supremacy and when United States opted for judicial supremacy, India chose to
leverage a balance between these two supremacy.
British citizens don’t have a code of fundamental rights
with respect to their law since their constitution is unwritten. Their citizens
have the freedom and right to do anything unless as long as that individual
does not violate any rule of the law of the land.
With this prevalence, on 26-11-1949, when our constitution
was adopted, fundamental rights (Thanks to Nehru report, 1930) was embodied as
a part of the law so that every individual is subject to basic fundamental
rights to safeguard JUSTICE, LIBERTY, EQUALITY and
FRATERNITY.
Rights and duties go hand in hand. If democracy is a way of
life, then constitution is the clock that runs it. We have a duty towards the
nation in order to ensure that basic rights don’t get suppressed. There comes
the FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES of the
citizens.
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
In 1976, during the times of emergency, the need for
fundamental duties arose. It was 28 years past our Independence. We had faced
four major wars with our hostile neighbors. Not much progress was made as it
was anticipated before, because of the reality that stood in front of our eyes.
Sardar Swaran Singh Committee was setup to look about the need for fundamental duties. As socialism was close to our hearts during the period, this demand and the reality that individuals should be duly involved in the progress of the nation by performing their duties was highly prioritized.
The 42nd Amendment, 1976 of the constitution brought in 10 FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES mentioned in ARTICLE 51A but with a special case that these are not enforceable in the courts nor their violation is punishable. Lately, 11th (k) point was added under the 86th amendment, 2002.
In a vibrant democracy we can't push individuals, that's why it was neither enforceable nor punishable but as a morale subject we citizens can be dutiful to the nation so that true progress on every aspect can be made. These duties personally rest on our shoulders.
As Mahatma Gandhi described in his book "THE INDIA OF MY DREAMS", namely -
"... an India, in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice; an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an India for the curse of untouchability or the curse of intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men."
To ensure this, every individual has a responsibility; every individual has fundamental duties to perform so that every individual's fundamental right is safeguarded. Only judiciary can't enable these rights, it’s primarily the collective will (duties) of the society. By performing our fundamental duties in personal captivity will lead to multi-dimensional, co-operative, secular and a harmonious society resulting in our welfare. As a citizen of our country, we are duty bound in every sense and in every sphere, it doesn't mean our freedom is questioned but it deciphers that “freedom is not for free”.
Sardar Swaran Singh Committee was setup to look about the need for fundamental duties. As socialism was close to our hearts during the period, this demand and the reality that individuals should be duly involved in the progress of the nation by performing their duties was highly prioritized.
The 42nd Amendment, 1976 of the constitution brought in 10 FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES mentioned in ARTICLE 51A but with a special case that these are not enforceable in the courts nor their violation is punishable. Lately, 11th (k) point was added under the 86th amendment, 2002.
In a vibrant democracy we can't push individuals, that's why it was neither enforceable nor punishable but as a morale subject we citizens can be dutiful to the nation so that true progress on every aspect can be made. These duties personally rest on our shoulders.
As Mahatma Gandhi described in his book "THE INDIA OF MY DREAMS", namely -
"... an India, in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice; an India in which all communities shall live in perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an India for the curse of untouchability or the curse of intoxicating drinks and drugs. Women will enjoy the same rights as men."
To ensure this, every individual has a responsibility; every individual has fundamental duties to perform so that every individual's fundamental right is safeguarded. Only judiciary can't enable these rights, it’s primarily the collective will (duties) of the society. By performing our fundamental duties in personal captivity will lead to multi-dimensional, co-operative, secular and a harmonious society resulting in our welfare. As a citizen of our country, we are duty bound in every sense and in every sphere, it doesn't mean our freedom is questioned but it deciphers that “freedom is not for free”.
As Russell kirk, the American Historian says “Every right is married to a duty; every freedom
owes a corresponding responsibility.
When Japan was bombed with nukes in 1945, the city of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki turned into a large pile of debris, air circumvented by
high radiation levels, bodies lying all around. The country was in shambles. There was no hope. They bowed down to the United States. Then came their will to
fight. To fight the moral battle.
Today, Japan is the
third largest economy with a GDP of 5.23 trillion USD (India’s GDP-2.9 trillion
USD, nominal). Today, USA and Japan have a mutual relationship in every
arena. Today, Japan Air self defence
Force (JASDF) flies American F-35 Lighting II. Today, Japanese technology
leads American dominance. This is the
respect they have earned. All this was only because of the collective will of
its people and their duties towards their nation to overcome the adversity that
they faced.
We, India, the oldest civilisation of the world are not
rightly placed in the world order. This is the civilisation that taught the
world community. As a nation, our demography is rich, our topography is rich,
our resources are rich, our knowledge base is rich, our flora and fauna is
rich, and our history is rich. The best of honour that we shall bestow to INDIA
is to seek a high position in the world order. This is in regards with
political, economic, social, scientific and sports.
However, Government alone can’t bring this subtle change,
but we people as an individual can do this. Democracy by definition is duly -
of the people, by the people, for the people. Words are mere exaggeration
if there is no hard actions on the ground.
As a citizen of India, let’s do our
duties rightfully to this great nation. Once again, this is our moral responsibility
to do our duties and to reiterate that these are neither enforceable nor
punishable. Our fundamental
duties should also be our fundamental right.
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES OF CITIZENS
(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 India transcending 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 wildlife, 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 endeavor 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.
(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 India transcending 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 wildlife, 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 endeavor 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.
With responsibility comes character,
with rights comes duties.
JAI HIND.
by Sathish T K
10 comments
✌️great work keep gng!!✌️
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot ✌
DeleteNice one man.👏👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteThank you 🙏
DeleteDeep one👌
ReplyDeleteYes, hope you liked it 🙏
DeleteKeep going mapla you will reach what u want...
ReplyDeleteSurely nanba ✌
DeleteWell said👌
ReplyDeleteKeep rocking !!!!
Thank you sister 😁
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