India, September 21, 2024: In an inspiring tale of civic engagement and educational
outreach, Nainital Cantonment has made history by becoming India’s
first constitutionally literate cantonment, significantly raising civic
awareness and empowering its residents with knowledge of their rights and
duties.
This remarkable achievement was
spearheaded by 2021 batch IDES officer Varun Kumar, the CEO of Nainital Cantt.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE IDEA
The
seeds of this initiative were sown during Varun Kumar’s preparation for the
UPSC Civil Services Examination. The rigorous study of Indian polity and the
Constitution inspired him to envision a project that would enhance his
understanding and educate and empower the citizens of his future posting. Kumar’s
aspiration was clear: to make his assigned area, Nainital Cantonment, the first
constitutionally literate cantonment in India.The underlying motive was to
bridge a critical gap in civic knowledge. “While many students preparing for
government exams become well-versed in the Constitution and its provisions, the
general populace often remains unaware of their fundamental rights and duties,”
said Mr. Kumar.He recognized that this lack of awareness could harm a
functioning democracy and sought to rectify it through a comprehensive
educational campaign.
A WELL
THOUGHT OUT ACTION PLAN
The initiative unfolded over three
months and was meticulously planned and executed. The first step involved
partnering with various educational institutions to recruit interns who would
lead the awareness campaign. Among the institutions involved were prestigious
names like JNU, IIT Kanpur, and LSR College, each contributing students with a
solid foundation in political science and communication skills.
THE EXPERTISE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATES
“A baseline survey revealed that only about
12–13% of the local population had a basic understanding of the Constitution.
Our team designed a detailed questionnaire to gauge the depth of constitutional
knowledge among the residents,” Mr. Kumar shared. This served as both a
diagnostic tool and a guide for tailoring educational content.
BRINGING
LIFE TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SABKA SATH
The campaign’s core activities
included door-to-door surveys, educational workshops, and public performances.
A key feature was the “nukkad natak” (street play), performed across 40-50
locations in Nainital. These performances, created in collaboration with local
and national theatrical groups, were designed to make constitutional education
engaging and accessible. “The plays were themed around the Constitution and its
relevance, aiming to capture the attention of passersby and foster a deeper
understanding of constitutional values.”In addition to street plays, the
campaign utilized various media tools. LED screens displayed educational
content on the Constitution, its preamble, fundamental rights, and duties. The
campaign also included screenings of the “Making of the Constitution” series by
Shyam Benegal, further enriching the educational experience
PREVAILING
OVER THE HURDLES
The campaign was not without its
challenges. One significant hurdle was the initial resistance from some local
residents who were wary of the campaign’s intentions. There were concerns about
privacy and the intrusion of students into their homes. To address this, Mr.
Kumar and his team organized meetings with local leaders and representatives to
clarify the campaign’s objectives and alleviate concerns.
Weather conditions also posed a
challenge. Nainital, being a hill station, experienced heavy rains during the
campaign period, which occasionally disrupted outdoor events. In such cases,
the team swiftly adapted by moving activities indoors, ensuring that the
campaign’s momentum was maintained.
Another
significant hurdle was ensuring the safety and comfort of the students
conducting the surveys and educational activities. “To address this, we
involved local jawans (soldiers) to accompany the students, ensuring their
protection and facilitating smoother interactions with the residents,” Mr.
Kumar informed.
AN
ASPIRATION THAT INSPIRES
After three months of relentless effort,
another survey revealed a dramatic increase in constitutional awareness, with
95–96% of the population now knowledgeable about their rights and duties. This remarkable
success was celebrated on September 8, 2023, with Brigadier Gaurav Bagga, Shri.
B.P. Pandey, DG, Dr. R. S. Tolia Uttarakhand
Academy of Administration and other dignitaries officially recognizing
Nainital Cantt as India’s first constitutionally literate cantonment. The
Ministry of Defence (PRO, Dehradun) later endorsed this achievement, further
highlighting its significance.One of the standout achievements was the creation
of the “Park of Equality” in Nainital. “This unique park features the Pillars
of the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Fundamental Duties, along with a
statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian
Constitution,” said Mr. Kumar.
FEEDBACK
AND AN ENLIGHTENED COMMUNITY
The success of this campaign has set
a precedent for other regions. “Following the initiative’s recognition by the
Ministry of Defence and accolades from high-ranking officials, there are plans
to replicate this model in Almora.” The aim is to foster a nationwide movement
towards greater constitutional awareness and civic responsibility.
Mr. Kumar further informed that the
feedback from Nainital’s residents has been overwhelmingly positive. People are
now more engaged in civic duties and better informed about their rights and
responsibilities.
Looking ahead, the initiative aims
to sustain and expand its impact through continuous engagement. Plans include
celebrating Constitution Day and other significant national events with
educational activities, maintaining the visibility of constitutional principles
through LED displays, and involving civil society in ongoing awareness efforts.
In
the words of Varun Kumar, “Our end goal is for people to themselves make an
effort to read about their basic rights, duties, election rights, reservations,
and general directives. We want to ensure that this awareness is not a one-time
event but a continuous process.”