India achieved independence from British rule in 1947. But long before colonial times and medieval kingdoms of the Sultanate or the Mughal era, our land had vibrant civilizations and organized administrative structures. During the Indus Valley Civilization and later through Janapadas and various kingdoms, concepts of governance, community responsibility and civic discipline were well established. The idea of citizenship was never alien to India.
So when Independent India chose to define itself as a modern democratic nation, our leaders undertook a remarkable task: to envision a Constitution that would reflect not only ancient wisdom and freedom struggle ideals, but also the best of global democratic thought. After studying constitutions from around the world, we framed what is today the lengthiest written Constitution in the world—a robust document balancing liberty, equality, justice, and fraternity in 1950.
Among all constitutional values, Bharat Ratna, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, placed “fraternity” at the highest pedestal—above equality, liberty and even justice—because without fraternity, the others cannot survive. He believed that, unless we see each other as equals deserving dignity, no amount of law can unite a nation.
Dignity means every individual has the inherent right to be respected, valued and treated fairly, free from discrimination and humiliation. The state must ensure equal opportunity, safety, education, and basic well-being. Fraternity is the glue that binds 140 crore Indians into a single national identity, 'We, the People of India.'
All of us proudly speak about the six Fundamental Rights guaranteed in our Constitution. But how often do we pause to reflect on our Fundamental Duties? In fact how many of us even know them?
Inspired by the Constitution of Russia (erstwhile USSR), these duties were added through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976, based on the report of the Swaran Singh Committee. Originally ten, a new duty was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002, bringing the number to eleven.
These duties, under Article 51A, says that it shall be the duty of every citizen (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 wild life, 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 endeavour 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.
Criticism is often made that the duties are non-justiciable, unenforceable by law, use broad language that is open to interpretation, omit critical responsibilities like voting and paying taxes. Also their placement after Fundamental Rights makes them appear secondary.
Many of us may agree with these limitations yet, nothing stops us from enforcing our own discipline.
I feel it is important to begin with stress least three duties which are definitely specific.
1. To renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women -
With so many protective laws and rights, it should be the simplest to follow them. Yet violence, discrimination, harassment, and stereotyping of women continues.
A nation where women are unsafe cannot call itself civilized.
Respect of woman is the most basic duty, not a favour.
2. To protect the environment from plastic waste, polluted rivers, vanishing forests and garbage everywhere. We talk passionately about climate change, yet use plastic bags daily and litter without shame. What stops us from carrying our own bags just like our parents or grand parents did?
3. To safeguard public property and abjure violence
I still remember my visit to the Wagah Border ceremony, where we all sang patriotic songs, waved flags proudly, during the high-energy celebrations.
But after the program, the entire area was littered with empty bottles and food packets. Patriotism ended where responsibility should have begun.
In contrast, after losing a World Cup match, Japanese fans cleaned the stadium before leaving.
That is patriotism in silence, service without announcement.
Look at our heritage monuments, walls scribbled on, plastic thrown everywhere, foul smell, and disrespect.
These structures hold our history.Why do we treat them as garbage dumps?
And above all our duty to Vote which we ignore the most.
Democracy collapses not when bad candidates win, but when good citizens do not vote.
Rights give us freedom.
Duties give us character.
A nation cannot be built by governments alone.
It is built by citizens who understand that freedom without responsibility is chaos.
So let us promise ourselves:
• To talk less and act more,
• To demand less and contribute more,
• To celebrate patriotism through behaviour, not spectacle.
True patriotism is not noise—it is responsibility. It is keeping our streets clean, respecting public spaces, and treating the country like our home.
If we truly love our country, we must live our duty every day. Not only when the national anthem plays or on national holidays. A great nation is not built by government alone
it is built by responsible citizens.
A nation becomes great not by the rights its people demand, but by the duties they perform.
This Constitution Day as stated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, let us remember our duties and live by them.
1. To renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women -
With so many protective laws and rights, it should be the simplest to follow them. Yet violence, discrimination, harassment, and stereotyping of women continues.
A nation where women are unsafe cannot call itself civilized.
Respect of woman is the most basic duty, not a favour.
2. To protect the environment from plastic waste, polluted rivers, vanishing forests and garbage everywhere. We talk passionately about climate change, yet use plastic bags daily and litter without shame. What stops us from carrying our own bags just like our parents or grand parents did?
3. To safeguard public property and abjure violence
I still remember my visit to the Wagah Border ceremony, where we all sang patriotic songs, waved flags proudly, during the high-energy celebrations.
But after the program, the entire area was littered with empty bottles and food packets. Patriotism ended where responsibility should have begun.
In contrast, after losing a World Cup match, Japanese fans cleaned the stadium before leaving.
That is patriotism in silence, service without announcement.
Look at our heritage monuments, walls scribbled on, plastic thrown everywhere, foul smell, and disrespect.
These structures hold our history.Why do we treat them as garbage dumps?
And above all our duty to Vote which we ignore the most.
Democracy collapses not when bad candidates win, but when good citizens do not vote.
Rights give us freedom.
Duties give us character.
A nation cannot be built by governments alone.
It is built by citizens who understand that freedom without responsibility is chaos.
So let us promise ourselves:
• To talk less and act more,
• To demand less and contribute more,
• To celebrate patriotism through behaviour, not spectacle.
True patriotism is not noise—it is responsibility. It is keeping our streets clean, respecting public spaces, and treating the country like our home.
If we truly love our country, we must live our duty every day. Not only when the national anthem plays or on national holidays. A great nation is not built by government alone
it is built by responsible citizens.
A nation becomes great not by the rights its people demand, but by the duties they perform.
This Constitution Day as stated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, let us remember our duties and live by them.
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