People are generally much more conscious of their rights than they are of their duties, but rights and duties are like the obverse and reverse side of a coin—the one presupposes the other.
The Constitution of India gives to its citizen’s six fundamental rights which are aimed at overcoming some of the socio-economic and cultural shortcomings of pre-independent India, and at establishing a truly democratic society where ethnic and religious minorities are not only fully protected but afforded the opportunity to prosper.
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Other rights have sometimes been demanded, like the right to work, and the right to economic assistance in case of unemployment and old age, and it is not inconceivable that in times to come some of these will also be incorporated into our Constitution; but as things stand, our fundamental rights are as follows:
1. The right to equality,
2. The right to freedom,
3. The right against exploitation,
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4. The right to freedom of religion,
5. Cultural and educational rights,
6. The right to constitutional remedies.
If India is to achieve greater unity within its vast and rich diversity, it is essential that these rights are exercised and implemented in the way they were meant to be.
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However, as is often the case, a substantial gap exists between theory and practice, and this can be best bridged by following the fundamental duties that the Constitution urges on its citizens. The fundamental duties are:
1. To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem,
2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom,
3. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India,
4. To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so,
5. 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,
6. To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture,
7. To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures,
8. To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform,
9. To safeguard public property and to abjure violence,
10. 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.
As can be seen, the duties cover a wide range of issues that include human rights, animal welfare, the protection of the environment, and even the mentality the nation would like its citizens to possess.
It is regrettable that even after so many years of independence; many of the provisions of our Constitution remain unknown to large sections of our population. This ignorance is not limited to illiterate citizens, but pervades the educated classes as well.
So long as the progressive and nation-building ethos that the Constitution seeks to build is not disseminated, propagated and implemented with genuine vigour, there is no possibility that its goals will be adequately met.
Our Constitution has sometimes been labelled ‘idealistic’. Considering that Mahatma Gandhi called himself a practical idealist, there is nothing wrong with idealism by itself; but what good are noble ideas unless they translate into effective action?
Clearly the time has come for good governance. Good citizenship will inevitably follow like fruit follows a well-tended and responsive seed.