In the context of public health and hygiene, critically analyse the role of a citizen envisioned under the Fundamental Duties enshrined in our Constitution.
Fundamental Duties were enshrined in the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment (1976) and was recommended by Swaran Singh Committee. It added a new part, namely, Part IVA which consists of Article 51A. Initially, there were 10 fundamental duties but a new fundamental duty was added in the year 2002 (86th Constitutional Amendment) making it 11 duties.
COVID-19 has touched lives of many and not only it has alerted the governments to take necessary steps such as stopping services of railway/flight, nationwide lockdown, strict social distancing norms etc. to stop its spread but also forced the citizens to take steps to save one own's life as well as of others.
It is these citizens who could help the government flatten the curve. As enshrined in the constitution, the following Fundamental Duties could act as the guiding light for citizens:
1- To develop the scientific temper, humanism: Citizens should follow social distancing norms so as to break the chain of spread, shouldn't follow unscientific advice, must inquire about the disease from authenticated sources.
2- To safeguard public property: This pandemic has impacted many, especially the lower strata and it's normal to get disillusioned with some of the policies of the government but it doesn't mean we should attack police/doctors, their vehicles etc.
3- To strive towards excellence so that our nation rises: As a citizen, we could give our suggestions to the government, help doctors/police in their work by following their guidelines etc.
Doctors, Police, Municipality workers etc should help the government and give their best.
4- To promote common brotherhood- It's not the right time to spread hatred-ness and disturb communal harmony. Landlords shouldn't discriminate doctors etc
But these duties have inherent problems associated with it:
1- As it is not justiciable, we could see gross negligence on the part of citizens. Example: Blatant violation of social distancing norms in liquor shops etc.
2- Rights and Duties are co-relative and inseparable. It is wrong if a citizen follows his/her duty well but on the other hand, State violates their rights. Example: Suspension of the Internet in some areas of West Bengal as many citizens were complaining about ill-treatment by state authorities.
3- Duties should be applied equally to all and shouldn't be discriminatory but it is not being followed in letter and spirit. Example: Marriage ceremony of a high profile politician was conducted in Karnataka and no action was taken up.
4- As long as people are satisfied with government policies they will follow duties well. So, it's difficult to force discontented citizens to follow their duties.
COVID-19 in a way is testing the Constitutional Fabric of our nation and it is not only the duty of State but also of the citizens to fight this infectious disease so that our country could emerge victorious.
Good attempt. Could you repost the same answer within 200 words? The content is strong with examples. Look forward to reading a crisp and exam oriented answer.
Fundamental Duties have been enshrined in part IV of the constitution consisting Article 51A.
The following Fundamental Duties could act as the guiding light for citizens:
1- To develop the scientific temper, humanism: Citizens should follow social distancing norms, must inquire about the disease from authenticated sources.
2- To strive towards excellence so that our nation rises: As a citizen, we could give our suggestions to the government and appreciate works of doctors/police etc.
3- To promote common brotherhood- It's not the right time to disturb communal harmony, Angry citizens attacking government machinery is unacceptable, Landlords shouldn't discriminate doctors etc
Inherent problems associated with FDs:
1- Non justiciable nature of FDs leads to negligence on the part of citizens. Example: Blatant violation of social distancing norms in liquor shops, also it's difficult to force discontented citizens to follow their duties etc.
2- Rights and Duties are co-relative. It is wrong if a citizen follows his/her duty well but on the other hand, State violates their rights. Example: Suspension of the Internet in some areas of West Bengal as many citizens were complaining about ill-treatment by state authorities.
3- Duties should be applied equally to all and shouldn't be discriminatory but it is not being followed in letter and spirit. Example: Marriage ceremony of a high profile politician was conducted in Karnataka and no action was taken up.
COVID-19 in a way is testing the Constitutional Fabric of our nation and it is not only the duty of State but also of the citizens to fight this infectious disease so that our country could emerge victorious. [265 words]
The answer needs more content by way of examples. Focus should be on analysing response of citizens to Covid, while analysing against FDs. So more of concrete examples will add substance to your answer.
Good attempt. Retains the essence and is more exam oriented than your previous answer. Use the earlier one as a note/reference for future though. Content in both versions is good.
In the light of the spread of COVID-19 and subsequent threat to public health and hygiene, government has been proactive in containing the pandemic and has fired all cylinders in taking economic and medical measures.
But only government cannot do wonders without the cooperation of the common man at ground zero.Due to dearth of medical and policing personnel,it has become a uphill task for the nation.
Constitutional duties which say about the role of citizen in this crisis are:
1)He is to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
2)To promote the harmony and spirit of common brotherhood among people of India.
3)To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
Actions which we are seeing in line with the fundamental duties:
•Pursuing MBBS/nursing students in their final year are being called to man the COVID hospitals.College going people are volunteering for maintaining the social distancing rules.
• NGOs are working all round the day to ensure no one goes hunger free due to loss of employment.
•Police is doing their best to implement the containment of the virus affected areas.
•Media people are making all aware about the initiatives of the government and safety precautions.
•Private and public companies/MSMEs are working for manufacturing of masks and ventilators with disregard to their profit motive.
•Appreciaton for the frontline personnel who are fighting with the virus.
•Waving of month's rent by landlords for tenants.
Challenges:
•There have been instances of misbehaviour to frontline COVID-19 workers by the people which is unfortunate.
•Some doctors/administrators are on leave which hampers the efforts and is not in line with the spirit of nation.
•Public property has been damaged by some people unhappy with government efforts which is taxpayers' money.
Way forward
It is high time we stand by the affected people and frontline workers and do our bit by facilitating the government process and obey the rules to sustain this crisis.
Please refer the comments on earlier answers and re-write. Best to avoid phrases like 'fired all cylinders'. The correct usage is 'firing on all cylinders'. Hence, an erroneous sentence framing can be damaging and lead to lower scores.
Our answers have to be relevant to the question asked. Please try to understand that the question is asking you to look at Covid and analyse it critically against the FDs in our Constitution. Your answer has not touched on FDs in a relevant manner. You might want to re-write the same and share it here.
Fundamental Duties were enshrined in the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment (1976) and was recommended by Swaran Singh Committee. It added a new part, namely, Part IVA which consists of Article 51A. Initially, there were 10 fundamental duties but a new fundamental duty was added in the year 2002 (86th Constitutional Amendment) making it 11 duties.
COVID-19 has touched lives of many and not only it has alerted the governments to take necessary steps such as stopping services of railway/flight, nationwide lockdown, strict social distancing norms etc. to stop its spread but also forced the citizens to take steps to save one own's life as well as of others.
It is these citizens who could help the government flatten the curve. As enshrined in the constitution, the following Fundamental Duties could act as the guiding light for citizens:
1- To develop the scientific temper, humanism: Citizens should follow social distancing norms so as to break the chain of spread, shouldn't follow unscientific advice, must inquire about the disease from authenticated sources.
2- To safeguard public property: This pandemic has impacted many, especially the lower strata and it's normal to get disillusioned with some of the policies of the government but it doesn't mean we should attack police/doctors, their vehicles etc.
3- To strive towards excellence so that our nation rises: As a citizen, we could give our suggestions to the government, help doctors/police in their work by following their guidelines etc.
Doctors, Police, Municipality workers etc should help the government and give their best.
4- To promote common brotherhood- It's not the right time to spread hatred-ness and disturb communal harmony. Landlords shouldn't discriminate doctors etc
But these duties have inherent problems associated with it:
1- As it is not justiciable, we could see gross negligence on the part of citizens. Example: Blatant violation of social distancing norms in liquor shops etc.
2- Rights and Duties are co-relative and inseparable. It is wrong if a citizen follows his/her duty well but on the other hand, State violates their rights. Example: Suspension of the Internet in some areas of West Bengal as many citizens were complaining about ill-treatment by state authorities.
3- Duties should be applied equally to all and shouldn't be discriminatory but it is not being followed in letter and spirit. Example: Marriage ceremony of a high profile politician was conducted in Karnataka and no action was taken up.
4- As long as people are satisfied with government policies they will follow duties well. So, it's difficult to force discontented citizens to follow their duties.
COVID-19 in a way is testing the Constitutional Fabric of our nation and it is not only the duty of State but also of the citizens to fight this infectious disease so that our country could emerge victorious.
Good attempt. Could you repost the same answer within 200 words? The content is strong with examples. Look forward to reading a crisp and exam oriented answer.
Fundamental Duties have been enshrined in part IV of the constitution consisting Article 51A.
The following Fundamental Duties could act as the guiding light for citizens:
1- To develop the scientific temper, humanism: Citizens should follow social distancing norms, must inquire about the disease from authenticated sources.
2- To strive towards excellence so that our nation rises: As a citizen, we could give our suggestions to the government and appreciate works of doctors/police etc.
3- To promote common brotherhood- It's not the right time to disturb communal harmony, Angry citizens attacking government machinery is unacceptable, Landlords shouldn't discriminate doctors etc
Inherent problems associated with FDs:
1- Non justiciable nature of FDs leads to negligence on the part of citizens. Example: Blatant violation of social distancing norms in liquor shops, also it's difficult to force discontented citizens to follow their duties etc.
2- Rights and Duties are co-relative. It is wrong if a citizen follows his/her duty well but on the other hand, State violates their rights. Example: Suspension of the Internet in some areas of West Bengal as many citizens were complaining about ill-treatment by state authorities.
3- Duties should be applied equally to all and shouldn't be discriminatory but it is not being followed in letter and spirit. Example: Marriage ceremony of a high profile politician was conducted in Karnataka and no action was taken up.
COVID-19 in a way is testing the Constitutional Fabric of our nation and it is not only the duty of State but also of the citizens to fight this infectious disease so that our country could emerge victorious. [265 words]
The answer needs more content by way of examples. Focus should be on analysing response of citizens to Covid, while analysing against FDs. So more of concrete examples will add substance to your answer.
Thank you sir.. I will rectify it.
Good attempt. Retains the essence and is more exam oriented than your previous answer. Use the earlier one as a note/reference for future though. Content in both versions is good.
Ok Sir..
Much better..
In the light of the spread of COVID-19 and subsequent threat to public health and hygiene, government has been proactive in containing the pandemic and has fired all cylinders in taking economic and medical measures. But only government cannot do wonders without the cooperation of the common man at ground zero.Due to dearth of medical and policing personnel,it has become a uphill task for the nation. Constitutional duties which say about the role of citizen in this crisis are: 1)He is to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so. 2)To promote the harmony and spirit of common brotherhood among people of India. 3)To safeguard public property and to abjure violence. Actions which we are seeing in line with the fundamental duties: •Pursuing MBBS/nursing students in their final year are being called to man the COVID hospitals.College going people are volunteering for maintaining the social distancing rules. • NGOs are working all round the day to ensure no one goes hunger free due to loss of employment. •Police is doing their best to implement the containment of the virus affected areas. •Media people are making all aware about the initiatives of the government and safety precautions. •Private and public companies/MSMEs are working for manufacturing of masks and ventilators with disregard to their profit motive. •Appreciaton for the frontline personnel who are fighting with the virus. •Waving of month's rent by landlords for tenants. Challenges: •There have been instances of misbehaviour to frontline COVID-19 workers by the people which is unfortunate. •Some doctors/administrators are on leave which hampers the efforts and is not in line with the spirit of nation. •Public property has been damaged by some people unhappy with government efforts which is taxpayers' money. Way forward It is high time we stand by the affected people and frontline workers and do our bit by facilitating the government process and obey the rules to sustain this crisis.
Please refer the comments on earlier answers and re-write. Best to avoid phrases like 'fired all cylinders'. The correct usage is 'firing on all cylinders'. Hence, an erroneous sentence framing can be damaging and lead to lower scores.
Our answers have to be relevant to the question asked. Please try to understand that the question is asking you to look at Covid and analyse it critically against the FDs in our Constitution. Your answer has not touched on FDs in a relevant manner. You might want to re-write the same and share it here.
Ok sir. I will give this another try.