Delhi University initiative to revive civic responsibility and democratic values

New Delhi: As the country strives for greater citizen engagement, the role of civic responsibility becomes more critical than ever. Recognising this, Delhi University (DU) has launched Kartavyam, a transformative initiative commemorating 75 years of India's Constitution, and a call to revive the spirit of civic duty that strengthens both community bonds and democratic values.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with 16 universities across India and neighbouring nations, aims to spark "a nationwide civic and academic movement". The inaugural event, held at DU's Vice Regal Lodge, marked the beginning of a year-long campaign designed to deepen understanding of the concept of Kartavya (duty) in today's democratic society.
Rooted in the Sanskrit word for duty, Kartavyam seeks to be a transformative platform that reinvigorates public discourse on both individual and collective responsibility. Moving beyond the common focus on rights, the initiative aims to foster civic consciousness and promote ethical engagement in the democratic process.
"Through a blend of lectures, thought-provoking dialogues, scholarly exchanges, and extensive community outreach, Kartavyam aims to cultivate a generation of citizens who are as mindful of their responsibilities as they are of their entitlements," said an official. This comprehensive approach seeks to go beyond theoretical understanding, encouraging active participation and critical thinking.
At the launch conclave, Justice P S Narasimha, Supreme Court judge and an alumnus of DU's Campus Law Centre, emphasised the deep connection between rights and Kartavya. "In many aspects of life, one naturally flows from the other," he noted, stressing the importance of nurturing civic awareness, especially among students, to build a society rooted in constitutional morality. Quoting Dr B R Ambedkar, he highlighted the vision of an "associated way of living" that fosters mutual respect and collective growth.
Attorney General of India, R Venkataramani, called for a shift in civic thinking—a paradigm that balances the assertion of rights with a renewed sense of shared Kartavya. "Such a shift," he said, "must draw strength from a deeper faith in constitutional values, viewed not through a narrow lens but through an inclusive, forward-looking perspective."
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Shri Prakash Singh, director of South Campus, emphasised that when people become habitually duty-bound, the preservation of democracy and protection of everyone's rights naturally follow.
In the coming year, Kartavyam will host a series of national events, university collaborations, and public dialogues to advance its mission of civic renewal. "As India reflects on 75 years of its constitutional journey, this initiative stands as a timely and vital contribution to democratic discourse," an official said.
New Delhi: As the country strives for greater citizen engagement, the role of civic responsibility becomes more critical than ever. Recognising this, Delhi University (DU) has launched Kartavyam, a transformative initiative commemorating 75 years of India's Constitution, and a call to revive the spirit of civic duty that strengthens both community bonds and democratic values.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with 16 universities across India and neighbouring nations, aims to spark "a nationwide civic and academic movement". The inaugural event, held at DU's Vice Regal Lodge, marked the beginning of a year-long campaign designed to deepen understanding of the concept of Kartavya (duty) in today's democratic society.
Rooted in the Sanskrit word for duty, Kartavyam seeks to be a transformative platform that reinvigorates public discourse on both individual and collective responsibility. Moving beyond the common focus on rights, the initiative aims to foster civic consciousness and promote ethical engagement in the democratic process.
"Through a blend of lectures, thought-provoking dialogues, scholarly exchanges, and extensive community outreach, Kartavyam aims to cultivate a generation of citizens who are as mindful of their responsibilities as they are of their entitlements," said an official. This comprehensive approach seeks to go beyond theoretical understanding, encouraging active participation and critical thinking.
At the launch conclave, Justice P S Narasimha, Supreme Court judge and an alumnus of DU's Campus Law Centre, emphasised the deep connection between rights and Kartavya. "In many aspects of life, one naturally flows from the other," he noted, stressing the importance of nurturing civic awareness, especially among students, to build a society rooted in constitutional morality. Quoting Dr B R Ambedkar, he highlighted the vision of an "associated way of living" that fosters mutual respect and collective growth.
Attorney General of India, R Venkataramani, called for a shift in civic thinking—a paradigm that balances the assertion of rights with a renewed sense of shared Kartavya. "Such a shift," he said, "must draw strength from a deeper faith in constitutional values, viewed not through a narrow lens but through an inclusive, forward-looking perspective."
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Shri Prakash Singh, director of South Campus, emphasised that when people become habitually duty-bound, the preservation of democracy and protection of everyone's rights naturally follow.
In the coming year, Kartavyam will host a series of national events, university collaborations, and public dialogues to advance its mission of civic renewal. "As India reflects on 75 years of its constitutional journey, this initiative stands as a timely and vital contribution to democratic discourse," an official said.