About The Author
This article is authored by Dr. Lawwellman. P, who is working as Assistant Professor of Law at Government Law College, Kozhikode. He obtained his Ph.D in Intellectual Property Rights [IPR] from National Law School, Bangalore. Dr. Lawwellman has been serving as a resource person for IPR and other programs within and outside Kerala.
The Constitution of India is a vision document. It is not only a political document; but also a social document. The country called ‘India’ was established for the first time through the document called constitution of India. India, both as a political entity and also as a unified society did not exist before coming into being of the constitution.
There are very many provisions in the Constitution that indicate that it is a social document. It establishes and defines the society called India. Examples are aplenty. Directive Principles of State Policy, which is fundamental in the governance of the country, is a social charter which draws the boundaries of India and portrays the nature of society envisioned in this country. Fundamental rights too have provisions; fundamental rights part, prohibits untouchability and ordains to make practice of untouchability in any form criminal offence. Matters relating to Religion, minority rights, reservation and the like are significant factors determining the nature of society we live in.
Needless to mention that constitution is a political document constituting India as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. The country and the government would be as good as the citizens and their constitutional awareness. The level of awareness of the citizens about various rights, privileges and duties cast on them, and the institutions established for achieving the constitutional goals, are preconditions for a successful republic; for a successful democracy. In a way, the sophistication of the citizens about constitutional principles and its vision, would indicate how good a country we are, and how good a society we are.
Secularism, Socialism and Democracy are not just political ideologies, but a way of life which is to be practiced in the day to day affairs of the Citizens in India. Only such practices can help us reach the constitutional destination. Hence, it is necessary that the citizens of India are conscious of the constitutional vision and travel in Constitutional Path.
Being governments established as per the constitution, it is felt that it is obligatory for central and state governments to spread constitutional ideals and ingrain in citizenry, constitutional way of life. Governments have to take lead in this sacrosanct duty. State of Kerala being the most literate state in the Country, can be the front runner. The higher level of political awareness and right consciousness in the Kerala Society would be an added advantage for taking this constitutional duty forward.
Different departments of the Governments need to work in tandem to achieve the desired goal. Faculty of Law Colleges and Political Science Departments can be pressed into action. Besides post graduate students also may have a valuable part to play. Taking part in the Constitutional Awareness program shall be made a mandatory requirement for faculty and post graduate students of law colleges and political science departments. Identified NGOs can also play their part in the mission. The new generation that can be found in Educational Institutions could be the target group to which the Constitution was made to permeate.
It is important to mention that the constitution being a document to serve over a long period of time, contains abstract principles which can be interpreted and understood in different senses. It is important to ensure that the right principles reach the citizens in the right manner. There shall be a training for the trainers given at the state level. The trainers who are trained at the state level can train the trainers at District level and so on. So that the Right principles of the Constitution would reach the citizens in a right, uniform way.
Jai Hind !!!!
