Focus on duties, work towards strengthening nation, says PM
Prez hails ‘equality of opportunity’, V-P proposes inclusion of fundamental duties in school curriculum
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the Indian Constitution as the best example of global democracy — one that keeps us aware not only about our rights but our duties as well. Addressing a joint session of both Houses of Parliament on the occasion of 70 years of the adoption of the Constitution, the PM referred to Mahatma Gandhi as an example of someone who understood the fine balance between rights and duties.
The Constitution, he said, could be simplified into two mantras as “dignity for Indian” and “unity for India”. “As proud citizens of India, let us think about how our actions will make our nation stronger… The Constitution of India highlights both rights and duties of citizens. This is a special aspect of our Constitution. The relation and balance between the rights and duties were very well understood by the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.
While opposition parties, including the Congress, the Shiv Sena, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) boycotted the event to protest political developments in Maharashtra, MPs from several other parties were present for the event held in the Central Hall of Parliament. It was also addressed by President Ram Nath Kovind, vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla.
In his address, Modi said there had been an emphasis on people’s rights over the last many years to uplift those deprived of equality and justice. “Had Babasaheb Ambedkar been alive today, he would have probably been the happiest. Not only India upheld its virtues but strengthened its democracy and freedom…And that is why I bow to the Legislature, Executive and Judicial wings of the Constitution which helped in preserving the values and ideals enshrined in it.”
He pointed out that the Constitution began with “we the people of India”, and said people were the nation’s strength, inspiration and aim.
President Kovind said the Constitution lies at the foundation of the world’s largest democracy, underlining that it was the supreme law in the country’s democratic framework.
“The most important objective and ideal presented to us by the Constitution is to secure to all its citizens justice, social, economic and political and equality of status and of opportunity. It is only because the Constitution makers ensured equality of opportunity that I have this opportunity to address this historic sitting of Parliament as the President of India,” Kovind said.
He also said the Constitution enshrines the ideal of building an inclusive society and also contains provisions for realising it.
Naidu, who is also the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, proposed to include fundamental duties in school curriculum. He also suggested that a list of fundamental duties be displayed in all the educational institutions, offices and public places across the country. “We must reach out to the youth through appropriate campaigns,” he said. “Citizens have to play an equally important role.”