“Fundamental rights were to be framed amidst the carnage of fundamental wrongs”.

Our constitution reflects the hope that – it provides the structure and guarantee of rights to each and every citizen.

What can we learn from the constitution and the process by which it was made? The answer is: many things; in particular, we can learn about the ways in which we can shape ourselves and our society.

 December 9, 1946; 11 a m. This date and time marks the start of a monumental social transformation of India. It was on this day that the Constituent Assembly embarked on its journey of making the Indian constitution.

The fundamental duty: “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform”.

 We need to create a narrative of welcoming dissent. Too often, we surround ourselves with like-minded people, those who agree with us. As a society, we disintegrate into small groups of people who like each other but cannot stand the others. If India has to grow, we have to nurture dissent in our homes, families, schools and workplaces and yes, in our governance.

Individual rights are not subject to a public vote;

A majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority;

The political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).

To overcome poverty and endure the high rate of bad economy in the society, one has to envision our social life and engage in some social activities to free our mind from Negative thought.

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.

Be a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts. ##Politics is a game of mind##.

Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life -- think of it, dream of it, and live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, and every part of your body be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.

 

Above all, we can learn the centrality of humanist values – learn that the values of equality, liberty, justice and fraternity are at the core of our lives. That even if we behave unequally and unfairly oftentimes, we all crave equality and fairness. That is the reason why the assembly, even when faced with conditions of abject poverty, acute injustice, terrible inequality and divisiveness, chose to enshrine humanist values in the vision and working of the constitution.

All societies have their own epic narratives – mythological, social and political. Sometimes, the narrative becomes insular and is about breaking the spirit of co-existence, as is happening now. At such a juncture there is a need to remember the most epic and humane narrative ‘We the People’ have given to ourselves, as a talisman and as a promise – the constitution of India.

Communal and extremists are in every religion. The strength of these elements is not much but majority of the people in any religion bear the brunt because of these few elements.

Mutual co-existence, high tolerance for others, agreeing to disagree, respect of all religions- follow one or none but hate none, concern for downtrodden and marginalized, scientific and liberal outlook, desire for education, culturing of democratic values are required of today's mankind.