The Article 51A of The Constitution of India has duly pointed out that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wild life and to have compassion for living creatures, to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform, 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.
The above three fundamental Constitutional duties are immensely relevant to the vision of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India), effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, meeting India’s commitment to climate change and the country to become a global leader in science and technology.
India is poised to be self-reliant in energy, agriculture, food and health care and communication, which can be achieved by discharging the ‘Constitutional Duties’ with utmost sincerity and dedication by every individual associated with the program. It is relevant to cite the example of India’s atomic energy and space programme and its is one of the very few nations in the world to have mastered the nuclear technology and accomplished several mission oriented space projects.
The dedication and commitment of the scientific community to strive towards excellence so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievements, is one of the “fundamental duties” of the Constitution of India. India’s nuclear energy program, being in a technology denial regime, has been “Atma Nirbhar” since its inception.
India’s abiding interest in nuclear energy grew out of a deep conviction that the power of the atom can be harnessed to produce carbon-free electricity in a sustainable manner for energy security of the country with a growing population and at the same time produce radio-isotopes for use in healthcare, particularly cancer treatment.
It has been a bold step taken by the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi during the year 2017 by approving construction of 10 indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) with total installed capacity of 7000 MW. The decision for constructing the reactors in a fleet mode is unprecedented in the history of India’s atomic energy program.
India is one of the very few select nations in the world pursuing an accelerated expansion of nuclear power based on closed fuel cycle. The exceptional success in our nuclear program is due to the “nuclear culture” – which is inspired by the fundamental duties of the Constitution of India, that is to develop the scientific temper and to strive towards excellence so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
There are many priorities, but protecting the environment – which is one of the fundamental duties in the Constitution of India, is given paramount importance by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. One of the India’s post-2020 climate goals is to achieve about 40 percent electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. India has consciously made a strategic choice to pursue a low-carbon growth model in the coming decades – a global vision “A clean Planet for All”.
Research shows that most of the jobs in the 21st century will be requiring digital skills, higher-order thinkers (multidisciplinary and integrated learning), lateral and deep thinking and employable skills. The NEP 2020 formulated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development has elegantly addressed the needs and dreams of the 21st century young India.
To mention a few, it has provided the opportunities for the creative thinking, holistic and multi-disciplinary education, attainment of foundational literacy, basic and advanced courses in each subject, scientific temper and evidence-based thinking, ancient Indian knowledge, less content for better understanding and absorption, technology use and integration, it is pertinent to emphasize that the policy implementation is the real challenge than the policy formulation.
India has faltered in policy implementation primarily due to the involvement of large number of individuals requiring highest level of integrity, honesty, accountability, responsibility and above all a commitment to the duties of the Constitution of India. NEP 2020 is an excellent progressive and constructive document, which once implemented will enable India to impart world-class education and become a global knowledge center.
The development of scientific temper is one of the duties of the scientists and technologists to be able to contribute to the nation building through scientific discoveries and technology development and deployment. There should be continuous effort by the Government, Scientific and academic institutions, Industrial units and each and every organization to inculcate awareness in the citizens of India about the fundamental duties of in the Constitution of India under Article 51A.
My vision of the Indian Republic is to see my country as a global leader in science and technology, truly self-reliant and the best in the world in producing clean energy to protect the environment. Achieving the above objectives is a real challenge as it require relentless efforts, commitment to nation building, highest level of integrity and honesty. It is emphasized that the scientific community should remain fully committed to abide by the Fundamental Duties of The Constitution of India. The year-long celebration of the Constitution Day has enhanced the awareness about the Constitution of India – a momentous occasion to cherish forever.
Amitava Roy, a distinguished scientist & a Padma Shri awardee, is a former Chief Executive Nuclear Recycle Board, Department of Atomic Energy.
(Source: 70 Years of Indian Constitution, Published by Govt. of India)
