Stay Real Stay Sober Navratra Arc 

 

LIFE is a precious gift and our daily actions shape the character of our society. We often think of the Constitution as a legal document meant for courts, lawyers and examinations. But in reality, it is a living guide for every citizen. Its Preamble promises justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect our dignity and freedoms, while the Directive Principles guide the State towards public welfare. Today is the fourth day and we worship Maa Kushmanda on this day. She is believed to have created the universe, the ‘Brahmanda’ with her gentle smile and is associated with the Sun. Known as ‘Ashtabhuja Devi’ she rides a lioness and has eight arms. Devotees offer her ‘malpua’ and red flowers, praying for good health and happiness.

 

Fundamental Duties remind us that nation-building is not the government’s responsibility alone but it also depends on our conduct. Rights and duties must go together. Our freedom of expression should not become an excuse for spreading hatred or misinformation. Equality must be visible in the way we treat people regardless of gender, caste, religion or background. Liberty means exercising our freedom while respecting the rights and safety of others. Duties do not cancel our rights or silence peaceful disagreement, they simply encourage us to use our freedoms wisely and responsibly. Article 51A lists the Fundamental Duties of citizens. It asks us to respect the Constitution and national symbols, protect India’s unity and integrity, promote harmony, preserve our composite cultural heritage, protect the environment, develop scientific temper, safeguard public property and reject violence. These principles are not meant only for speeches on national occasions.

 

They begin with small, everyday choices. A well-known story about Mahatma Gandhi offers a simple lesson. A mother once asked Gandhiji to tell her son to stop eating sugar. He asked her to return after a few days and then advised the child to give it up. When she asked why he had waited, Gandhi ji explained that he had first needed to give up sugar himself. The message this incident gives remains valuable: Before asking others to change, we should first practise the change ourselves. The same principle applies to citizenship. Before demanding cleaner cities we must stop littering and reduce single-use plastic. Before asking public representatives to be accountable, we must vote responsibly and reject corruption in our own lives. Before expecting respect we must respect women, protect vulnerable people and treat others with dignity.

 

India’s Constitution is among the world’s most detailed written constitutions. At its commencement, it contained 395 Articles, 22 Parts and 8 Schedules. Its detail reflects the challenge of bringing a vast and diverse country under a common democratic framework. Its true strength, however, lies not only in what is written but in what citizens and institutions make possible through their actions. Bharat is the Mother of Democracy. The greatness of our democracy will be seen not only in the rights written in our Constitution but also in the responsibility reflected in the conduct of every citizen. Our Constitution, Our Pride. Our Duties, Our Strength. Our Conduct, Our Nation’s Future. So, this Navratri let us take a Stay Real Stay Sober pledge to honour our democratic heritage by living its values every day.