Role of Citizens in Nation Building
The progress of a nation greatly depends on its people. Every citizen is obligated to abide by the law & order of the nation, as well as perform their duties as a responsible citizen to maintain harmonious co-existence and take the nation forward.
In India, our constitution allows the citizens with fundamental duties, directive principles and fundamental rights. The purpose of these sections is to make sure that everything is equally divided in creating a better nation and to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic country.
Articles 12 to 35 of Part III of the Indian Constitution outline the Fundamental Rights, an equal opportunity – which apply to all people regardless of gender, colour, ethnicity, national origin, or place of birth, they are subject to limitations and are enforceable by the courts.
The Directive Principles of State Policy serve as guidance for how the government should draft laws. Although the principles upon which these provisions, outlined in Part IV of the Constitution as based are not enforceable by the courts, still the state is required to follow them in formulating any policies and enacting legislation.
Fundamental Duties assert that all citizens have a moral duty to foster a sense of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India. These obligations, which are listed in Part IV-A of the Constitution, affect both people and the country. They are not enforceable by courts until specifically declared so by parliamentary statute, just like the Directive Principles.
How can Citizens take part in nation-building?
Citizens can contribute by following socially acceptable behaviour and morally correct actions. These do not need to be included in the constitution, rather it should be followed out of a pure sense of ethically and morally right notions. Following are a few responsibilities that every citizen must take up as a measure to bring about a change in the society:
Focus on Education
Despite our limited resources, the Central Government and State Governments continuously work to improve the education sector by investing in infrastructure, offering financial aid (scholarships and stipends), and other programs. Not all students misuse the financial aid they get, but there have been several instances where it misuse of financial aid reserved for underprivileged students were reported. Students must prioritize their education and make adequate use of the benefits provided to them. The officials serving in the education sector (in and out of administration) also need to do their duty honestly and ethically to ensure the youth get a proper education. Because education plays a vital role in shaping an individual and the nation as a whole. Being a just and honest person is essential for being a responsible citizen.
Contributions to curb climate change
Climate change has emerged as one of the most important global issues as a result of negligent human activities. As one of the world’s most biodiversity-rich nations, India’s government has developed several strategies to safeguard and conserve the country’s natural resources. The nation is home to a number of indigenous species of both flora and wildlife. Consequently, there is a rise in unlawful activities like poaching, hunting, trade, and wood-chopping, among others. These actions have accelerated climate change and led to a decline in (or extinction of) many species. As responsible citizens, we must step forward to spread awareness about these issues and discourage the continuance activities promoting the same. A responsible citizen would also maintain environmental cleanliness by not littering, spitting, or otherwise polluting their environment because they understand the importance of maintaining national integrity.
Abiding by the law and order
Following the rules and regulations formulated by the lawmakers make it easier to maintain safety, security, peace and harmony in the community. These laws are not only to be abided by the common citizens but by everyone included in the administration line as well. From following safety protocols under traffic management to sporting an appropriate dress code when visiting an administrative office, or showing discipline in school/office etc, these principles allow everyone to mitigate conflicts in the public and private sectors. A law-abiding citizen becomes a responsible citizen who contributes to social progress and maintains fairness and peace in society.
In the context of the above mentions, citizens are obligated to contribute towards the betterment of the nation. The obligations mentioned in the 11 fundamental duties in the Indian constitution have an educational purpose and advice for the citizens on how to conduct themselves morally and respectably. These duties were drafted on accords of moral, ethical and cultural codes of conduct to be followed by the people. But it is the prime responsibility of an individual to be self-righteous and act fairly without the need to be educated on moral grounds. As someone once rightly said – “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”.
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