The Vision of a Young IDES Officer, the Making of India’s First Constitutionally Literate Cantonment: Nainital

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.”