On Saturday, November 26, the Constitution Day was celebrated all over the country, J&K being no exception, to mark the 73rd anniversary of the adoption of Indian Constitution. The day should remind every citizen of the country what India stands for. It stands for social, economic and political justice of its citizens; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and opportunity and; promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Mindful of the diversity of this beautiful country, it was solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. As rightly mentioned by the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, “Our Constitution is the holy book and enshrines eternal values that remain as our guiding principles.”
India is a bouquet having flowers of different colours and fragrances. All these colours mixed together and all these fragrances mingled together make this great nation. This country is a living example of unity in diversity. Different religions, different faiths, different cultures, different languages, different traditions, different dress codes, different food habits – but when it comes to nationhood, it is simply Indianness that units all. This is the message that should be spread, loud and clear while taking a pledge to uphold the values enshrined in the preamble of the constitution.
In today’s polarised and radicalised world, where politics of hate is becoming deafeningly louder, Indian Constitution is the guiding light that can save our country from these ills. If it is followed in letter and spirit, no power on earth can ever dare to look at this country with an evil eye because the unity among its citizens is its greatest strength. It is the responsibility of every citizen to uphold the values of the constitution but more so the responsibility of the government that be. Doing communal and caste-based, language-based, region-based politics is a poison that will make the entire citizenry sick. Need is to have Sab Kas Sath, Sab Ka Vikas not as a slogan but in real sense. As already mentioned, India is a bouquet of the flowers of different colours and fragrances and all these have to remain together to make this nation great. As rightly said by a poet:
Chaman Main Ikhtilat-e Rang-o-bo Se Baat Banti Hai;
Tum He Tum Ho Tou Kya Tum Ho; Hamein Hum Hain Tou Kya Hum Hain.
That said, while those who are at the helm of affairs should ensure that every citizen enjoys his/her fundamental rights without any impediment, the citizens too need to be mindful of their fundamental duties. Duties and rights is a mixed package and no one can have just one of the two. Every citizen has to ensure that he/she contributes his/her bit to make this country a great nation, a world leader and for that the citizens have to say no divisive and radical elements besides the politics of hate.
