As a student of law, I have been trained over the years to work around and for equality. Equality is a result of a balance which is attained by creating a system of force and counter force, that’s exactly how modern civil and sovereign societies are designed to function. Equality, liberty and sovreigntiy are the guiding principles of a good state, the other essential feature of modern day society are the rights which are given to the people. However, to establish a counter force and balance the rights, there are duties.
Jurisprudence, the science and philosophy of justice says that rights of a person is what the state owes it’s people, but duty is what the people owe the state in return of the rights. It’s a plain and simple barter which maintains equilibrium and helps the society move ahead, progressively.
However, over the years there seems to be constant degeneration of the idea of duties, and now an imbalance has come in the picture when it comes to rights and duties. People are getting more and more protective about their rights, primarily because they’re more aware (and a lot of people like us at Lex Do It are working hard to make people aware of their rights!), however, they’re getting more and more ignorant about their duties which come with the rights.
Have a look at how well do people know their duties:
A worrying trend, isn’t it? We urge you to be very well aware of your rights, in fact come to us and we shall help you with them, however at the same time, don’t forget your duties, they’re equally important. With an imbalanced functioning of rights and duties, we as a nation will not reach where we’re destined to reach, where we deserve to reach. Let’s pledge to do our bit for the nation and abide by the duties we’re bound by, let’s be Indians before individuals.
The Constitution of India in Article 51A enshrines 11 fundamental duties upon all the citizens of India, namely:
- to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem
- to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom
- to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
- to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so
- 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
- to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
- to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures
- to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
- to safeguard public property and to abjure violence
- 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.
Let’s work together to make India a better place.
Wishing you all a very happy Republic Day. Jai Hind!