Are Fundamental Duties Demoralized in India?

By SiliconIndia,Wednesday, 25 January 2012, 05:02 Hrs

Bangalore: Indian Citizens have 10 fundamental duties but if one asks they can’t mention half of them. The question is ‘Why?’ and the answer is – ‘Because no one bothers.’ The dictionary meaning of ‘Duty’ is a moral commitment towards something or someone. Cicero, a great philosopher said, duty comes along with being a human and along with being in a place like country. ‘Fundamental Duties of an Indian Citizen’, is a term which is supposed to bring a feeling of national integration. But this is not the case for many, as there are many disrespectful incidences which had put our head into shame.

The Fundamental Duties are mentioned in the ‘Constitution of India’ in Part IV A in Article 51A. These are the moral obligations supposed to uphold the spirit of nationalism supporting the harmony of the nation. These duties were added by the 42^nd Amendment Act in 1976. Initially there are 10 duties mentioned in the constitution but the 11^th duty of a parent towards the child education is added on 2002 by the 86^th constitutional amendment which says, It shall be the duty of every citizens of India 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. The others relate us to the duty towards our state, national heritage, national heroes, our culture, and environment. Like It shall be the duty of every citizens of India to defend the country and render national service when called to do so.