We have ,both rights and duties in our life. Even our constitution guarantees us fundamental rights. But it also defines ,fundamental duties applicable to all citizens, in India. We generally are fully aware of our rights but ignore our duties.

Let us start from our homes. As children, we are fully aware of our rights and always fight for it. But, when it comes to our duties ,we either feign ignorance or fail in them. This is equally true, for parents and siblings in the family too.

Then, if we move to the workplace, the situation is not very different. Most employees ,are fully aware of their rights but plead ignorance, when it comes to their duties. I have come across, very few responsible union leaders at the workplace, who remind their members of their duties ,before they demand their rights.

As citizens in a democracy, we are fully aware of our rights. We demand them and also ensure, that we benefit from it. Sometimes, when a right is denied, we approach the courts ,to enforce a denied right by the state. However, when it comes to our duties, we are either ignorant or selectively forget them ,when we are expected to behave in a particular way.

I am not sure, if it is a psychological make up of a human being, in a democratic set up or it is a fundamental human flaw, as designed by the almighty. Why are we not responsible enough , to first do our duties before we demand our rights ,at every stage of our lives.

I wonder why ,unions do not voluntarily advise their members ,not to strike work in public services like hospitals or public transport, during a nation wide strike. They only relent ,when the government declares them as an essential service and enforces, by the dictates of law.

As citizens in the world’s largest democracy, why do the so called literate citizens ,especially in urban India ,not go out and exercise their franchise ,during a general election. On the other hand, we shout at the top of our voice , demanding for civic amenities, from elected governments, when they do not deliver.

Today, we read a lot of children ,demanding their right to succession of parental property ,even before their death. But, they are reluctant to look after their ageing parents ,as it interferes in their life comforts. They ,even admit them in old age homes ,to shirk this basic duty, as a child.

As we can see, as members of a family, employees of an organisation or citizens of a state, we are more than aware of our rights and demand their enforcement. On the other hand, we are reluctant to perform our duties ,with the same vigour.

Let us do our duties first ,before we demand our rights ,from today.

S Ramesh Shankar

5th July 2025