KARTAVYAM Launch: 7 Powerful Lessons from Vice-President’s Inspiring Call to Youth Empowerment and Civic Duty

Delhi University’s ‘KARTAVYAM’ initiative, inaugurated by the Vice-President, spotlighted India’s constitutional resilience and youth’s role in safeguarding democracy. Reflecting on the 1975 Emergency, he honored Justice H.R. Khanna’s dissent—a beacon of judicial courage—while urging students to remember Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas as a caution against authoritarian overreach. Emphasizing democracy’s roots in अभिव्यक्ति और संवाद (expression and dialogue), he warned against ideological rigidity and censorship, advocating inclusive debate. Outlining five pillars—social harmony, unifying diversity, family-driven patriotism, economic self-reliance, and civic duty—he linked India’s civilizational ethos to constitutional values.

Vice-President challenged youth to prioritize integrity over shortcuts, invoking Ambedkar’s mantra, “Educate, Organize, Agitate,” to demand accountability and combat divisive forces. Stressing that democracy thrives on informed participation, he framed ‘KARTAVYAM’ as a pledge: citizenship is not passive rights but active duty, blending tradition with progress to shape a Viksit Bharat. 

KARTAVYAM Launch: 7 Powerful Lessons from Vice-President’s Inspiring Call to Youth Empowerment and Civic Duty

In a stirring address at the inauguration of Delhi University’s ‘KARTAVYAM’ initiative, India’s Vice-President underscored the enduring relevance of constitutional values, the dangers of historical amnesia, and the transformative power of youth in shaping the nation’s future. The event, held at the university’s Campus Law Centre—a hub renowned for producing legal luminaries like Justice H.R. Khanna—saw the Vice-President weaving civilizational ethos with contemporary democratic imperatives.  

Constitutional Legacy: Lessons from History 

Reflecting on India’s constitutional journey, the Vice-President juxtaposed Constitution Day (November 26) with Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas (June 25), the latter marking the 1975 Emergency’s imposition. He hailed Justice Khanna’s iconic dissent during the Emergency, which upheld judicial independence against executive overreach, quoting a 1976 New York Times editorial that envisioned a monument to Khanna’s courage. “Democracy isn’t just about rights; it’s about responsibility,” he asserted, urging students to guard against forces that undermine constitutional principles.  

Democracy’s Lifeline: Expression, Dialogue, and Dissent 

The Vice-President emphasized democracy’s reliance on अभिव्यक्ति और संवाद (expression and dialogue), rooted in India’s Vedic tradition of anantavad (endless debate). “Democracy dies in silence but also in arrogance,” he cautioned, criticizing both censorship and rigid ideological echo chambers. He called for youth to engage in “thoughtful deliberation over partisan sloganeering,” stressing that dissent must respect diverse viewpoints while challenging harmful narratives.  

Five Pillars for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ 

Outlining a roadmap for national transformation, the Vice-President identified five pillars:  

• Social Harmony: Fostering unity through mutual respect, rejecting divisiveness.  

• Unifying Diversity: Celebrating India’s pluralism as a civilizational strength.  

• Family-Nurtured Patriotism: Instilling civic values early, akin to Gandhi’s swadeshi ideals.  

• Self-Reliance: Championing PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ to boost economic nationalism.  

• Civic Duty: Prioritizing community welfare (lokasangrah) over individual gain. 

Youth as Nation Builders: Integrity Over Expediency 

Addressing students as “foot soldiers of Viksit Bharat,” the Vice-President warned against shortcuts: “A nation’s character is built by citizens who choose integrity over expediency.” He cited Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s call to “Educate, Organize, Agitate,” urging youth to hold leaders accountable through informed voting and social media activism. “Your atomic power lies in your vote and voice,” he remarked, linking individual ethics to national progress.  

Safeguarding Democracy: A Collective Responsibility 

The speech also tackled contemporary challenges—from foreign interference to public property destruction—advocating civic-mindedness over coercion. “Public order thrives when citizens see themselves as guardians of law,” he stated, advocating dialogue first but acknowledging the need for “bitter pills” against disruptive forces.  

Conclusion: The ‘KARTAVYAM’ Pledge 

The Vice-President framed ‘KARTAVYAM’ (Sanskrit for ‘duty’) as a clarion call to rekindle India’s civilizational ethos through action. Quoting the Upanishads (Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande—as the individual, so the universe), he linked personal integrity to national destiny. “Democracy’s soul resides in its people,” he concluded, “and its future rests on your shoulders.”  

As India strides toward its 2047 vision, initiatives like ‘KARTAVYAM’ aim to mold a generation that views citizenship not as a passive right but as an active pledge—to truth, justice, and the nation’s timeless ideals.