Know India more, know a way of life

-- Reshmi Naveen Gopal

Sunday, January 23, 2022

'What is republic day?'. How many common Indian citizens will answer the question? How many know the significance of our festivals?

The students in Indian schools where the teachers teaching political science explains the constitution of India and the replacement of government of India act thoroughly may know the answer. Though the prescribed books have some parts of the constitution of India, it is too less for them to understand the constitution.

Any constitution is the written law of the land. However, it is so unfortunate that many do not have any awareness even about those most important laws that govern our daily life. People often fight for their rights, but forget to do their duties!

The people of the largest democracy in the world owes to the constituent assembly for the supreme law. It is the longest written constitution of any country. The document lays down the framework that demarcates fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens. It protects the pluralistic culture of nation and reflects its liberal and tolerant nature. It is based on dharma.

The Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly of India, established by the members of the provincial assemblies elected by the people of India. Dr Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president. They met for the first time in an ornate constitution hall (now known as the Central hall of the parliament) in New Delhi on December 9, 1946.

The constituent assembly appointed a drafting committee through a resolution on August 29, 1947. They were entrusted with the responsibility of drafting the constitution. It had seven members- Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami; B.R. Ambedkar, K.M Munshi, Mohammad Saadulla, B.L. Mitter and D.P. Khaitan. At its first meeting on 30th August 1947, Dr B.R Ambedkar was elected as its Chairman. Considered as the 'father of the constitution of India', he was an expert in constitutions.
The Drafting Committee scrutinized the Draft Constitution prepared by the B.N Rau, the Constitutional Advisor and after various changes it was submitted to the President of the Constituent Assembly on 21 February 1948. It took 2 years, 11 months and 17 days to frame the constitution.

One of the finest crafted constitution in the world was adopted on 26 November 1949. It became effective on 26 January 1950. It has a preamble or the introduction drafted by the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru and 470 articles grouped into 25 parts. With 12 schedules and five appendices, the Constitution has been amended 104 times – the latest of which became effective on January 25, 2020.

The Constitution of India also establishes the parliamentary form of government both at the Centre and the states. The Prime Minister and his council of ministers are accountable for all their actions, most specifically to the Lok Sabha, which keeps control over the executives through democratic means.

Though the law studies in the universities of India teaches all the laws of the nation in depth, it is important to teach the children the most significant of them. They are the future generation of the nation and this will make them understand the rules and regulations to be followed. They must learn that the constitution has granted fundamental rights, essential for the existence and moral development of the citizens. However, they are reasonable restricted.

All the prescribed civics readers facilitating the next generation of our nation must be analysed. It is so significant for their growth and the development of our nation. It is the duty of everyone to value and preserve the rich heritage of our country. They must also study the true facts of the history. However, there is a ray of hope as the government of India is in a scrutinization spree of the text books.

It is a matter of pride to showcase of diversity of our nation. This pluralism has made the people accept all the differences, may it be religious, linguistic or political.

Any Indian must know the nation more. Its history, ethical practices, tradition, science and all other aspects and concepts. Our old civilisations, ancient and medieval kingdoms, their achievements that has left evidences aplenty. They have unfolded a glorious past that added values to our present. It will inculcate patriotism. It will fill our lifetime with virtue galore. Each citizen will think about the wellbeing of others and the nation as a whole. They will work for other’s welfare. Actually, being an Indian means a way of life.