Inheritance is the thread of human civilisation. After World War II, Indians inherited an independent country and a dream to tryst with destiny on the policies and principles of democracy, justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Proof that these values worked was demonstrated by this young nation in combating the Emergency in late 70s. As digital-natives are getting ready to take succession of New India, fundamental duties need to be put at the center of debates and discussions.
On the eve of 73rd Republic Day, Honourable President in his address to the nation said, “….We are immensely fortunate that the Constituent Assembly which prepared the document included some of the best minds of their generation. They were the leading lights of our great Freedom Struggle…While the text of the Constitution, dealing with the details of the workings of the State, is quite long, the Preamble sums up its guiding principles – Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. They form the bedrock on which our Republic stands. These are the values that form our collective inheritance. These values have been accorded primacy in our Constitution in the form of Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties of the citizens. Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. The observance of the Fundamental Duties mentioned in the Constitution by the citizens creates the proper environment for enjoyment of Fundamental Rights…”
As the records of Constituent Assembly deliberations show, the present Constitution was supposed to be overhauled within a couple of decades of its enactment. Perhaps among the responsibilities for younger generations to fulfill, getting to know the constitution first hand is the most urgent one. Occasions like Republic Day need to be utilised by schools, colleges, Government bodies, enterprises, NGOs alike to encourage youngsters to engage in understanding democracy. Indian democracy is a beacon of hope for a divided, scared and suspicious world. This complex society has transcended caste, religion, region, gender and race in adopting democracy. Gen Z and Gen Alpha Indians need to know the proud inheritance they have. Further, genuine understanding needs to be developed regarding points made by the critics, that Indian Constitution has fundamentally ignored the cultural robustness as well as village level structures in its formulation of policies of governance.
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