It’s the time of year when all citizens look forward to celebrate the Independence Day . However, this year i.e the 73^rd Independence Day is albeit different in the sense that due to COVID 19 pandemic, the celebrations are not in a grand manner.

The question which is more relevant here is : Whether such nationalism or patriotism is observed by us  citizens only on 2 days a year ( 15^th August and 26^th January)?  Unfortunately the answer is yes !! Otherwise, how do you explain that the system still asks us not to litter the road or respect women ?Aren’t those the most basic things?

Here comes the role of Fundamental Duties in Constitution of India. The duties initially being10 in number were placed under Article 51-Aof the Constitution of India. By virtue of 86th Amendment in year 2002,11th duty was added.

Following is the list of Fundamental Duties :

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India –

(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 on 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 that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement.

(k) Who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.’

This article has the potential to regenerate and reconstruct the nation. It has been on the statute book for the last so many years. It commands that – “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India” – but it is an irony that more than 99 per cent of the citizens of India do not even know about the existence of this article in the Constitution, much less its provisions

Justice Venkataramiah in his landmark judgement in M C Mehta  Vs. Union of India and Ors. (1998) , inter-alia, gave following directions for awareness of Fundamental Duties:

• the Central Government shall direct to the educational institutions throughout India to teach at least for one hour in a week, lessons relating to protection and the improvement of the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life in the first ten classes;
• (ii) the Central Government shall get text books written for the said purpose and distribute them to the educational institutions free of cost;
• (iii) the children shall be taught about the need for maintaining cleanliness commencing with the cleanliness of the house, both inside and the outside and with the street in which they live;
• (iv) the Central Government shall consider training of teachers who teach this subject by the introduction of short-term courses for such training;
• (v) the Central Government, the Governments of the States and all the Union territories shall consider desirability of organizing “keep the city/town/ village clean” week;
• (vi) to create a national awareness of the problems faced by the people by the appalling all-round deterioration of the environment.

The dream of freedom fighters could materialize, when every citizen solemnly resolves to discharge with all his wisdom and might, the Fundamental Duties enshrined in Article 51A of the Constitution.There shall be concerted effort by everyone to make sure we follow the Fundamental Duties given in Constitution.

Lets resolve to follow it, everything else can wait !!