Question

Importance of Fundamental Duties

Answer 1

Duties
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Our constitution guarantees to its citizen’s variety of rights in part III of the constitution and in Part IV-A according to section 5specifies a code of ten fundamental duties for citizens. The preamble of our constitution secures to all the citizens “Liberty of thoughts, expression, belief, faith and worship.” There are fundamental rights of the citizens. The rest of the preamble emphasises only the duties, “justice, and social economic and political”.

The fundamental duties are therefore intended to serve as a constant reminder to every citizen that while constitution specifically conferred on them certain fundamental rights. It is also required from citizens to observe certain basic norms of democratic conduct and democratic behaviour.

Part IV-A fundamental duties containing only one Article 51-A, has been inserted by the Constitution (Forty-Second Amendment) Act, 1976 with effect from 1977. The inspiration for the Part IV A is the constitution of USSR, this constitution directs that law, maintenance or labour discipline and honesty in the performance of public duties and to respect the rules of the socialist community. U.S.S.R. constitution in this way contains a comprehensive chapter on the citizens duties and imposes upon the people definite duties towards society and towards the state.

Such fundamental duties are not seen in the constitution of the U.S.A., Australia, Canada among the democratic constitution of world we find mention of certain duties of the citizens in the Japanese constitution otherwise it is rare in any other constitution, it does not mean that the people of these countries (where fundamental duties are not enumerated) behave in an irresponsible manner.

In all these countries the citizens are imbibed with a high sense of patriotism as a result of education, and training in the elementary duties and obligations of citizenship in contrast to this, it is generally argued that in India people lay emphasis, only on rights and it is often criticized that the Indians know only rights but not duties.

Answer 2

Answer:

11 Fundamental Duties under Article 51A:

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India –

1. to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
2. to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
3. to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
4. to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
5. 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;
6. to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
7. to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
8. to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
9. to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
10. to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
11. to provide opportunities for education by the parent the guardian, to his child, or a ward between the age of 6-14 years as the case may be.

Fundamental Duties are important. We have been granted Fundamental Rights and it is appropriate to reciprocate by doing our Fundamental Duties. Our Fundamental Duties clearly states that we must honour the Constitution, respect the National Flag and National Flag. We must be patriotic and defend our country. We must not damage public properties. We must preserve our precious natural environment. We must pursue education with a scientific mind. We must avoid violence. We must strive for excellence. The sum of it all will result in an ideal citizen, an asset for the community and the nation.

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