THE WRONGS AND THE REMEDY

    The Wrongs and the Remedy

     By

J.L. Gupta

The Constitution of India inter-alia promises in the Preamble: ‘JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY OF Status and of opportunity.’ A host of other rights have also been guaranteed under the Constitution.

We, the People, even if illiterate are generally aware and conscious of the rights. We demand, enforce and exercise our rights. We agitate on the slightest pretext; burn buses on the flimsiest excuse; destroy public property without any legitimate reason. The people do this despite knowing that they do not have the capacity to make or produce anything. While we assert and exercise our rights, do we ever realize that the Constitution which guarantees Fundamental Rights has also enumerated FUNDAMENTAL  Duties in Part IVA? Do we know or realize that each one of us is amongst others under a duty to:

·      “To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;

·        to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities;

·      to denounce 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 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 & COLLECTIVE ACTIVITY SO THAT THE NATION CONSTANTLY RISES TO HIGHER LEVELS OF ENDEAVOUR AND ACHIEVEMENT;

The factual position appears to be:

1.     A majority of us are not even aware of the existence of Part IV A of the Constitution that enumerates the Fundamental Duties;

2.     Mostly, many of us act contrary to the constitutional mandate. In fact, we Violate it without any compunction;

3.     We seldom strive towards excellence. A majority of us have not yet developed a sense of individual or national pride;

4.     We complain that there is no reward for hard & honest work.

What should be done?

1.     We must change our approach and attitude. We must remember that every ‘duty is like a debt. It must be discharged without delay or demur.’ The rule is ‘deserve before you desire.’

2.     Secondly, doing the duty to the best of one’s ability carries a reward in itself. It gives inner confidence as well as satisfaction. He who does his duty carries a clear conscience to bed every night. Sleeps like a log of wood. Stress or blood pressure never bother him. People might say- he is sweet. But the medico would seldom diagnose him as being diabetic.

3.     The colleagues in the office or wherever he works may not openly say so but they really respect him at heart.

4.     It is wrong not to perform our duties. It is equally wrong to assert rights without performing the duties. We are committing two wrongs. We must change if we want to rise. Let us resolve to do our duty to the best of our ability. The wrongs shall be set right. India and the Indians will automatically change.