“I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
In 1893, a young Indian barrister boarded a train in South Africa, holding a first-class ticket in his hand. But before the journey could begin, prejudice struck. He was ordered to leave—not because of his conduct, but because his skin was not white. Thrown out into the freezing night at Pietermaritzburg station, he shivered in the waiting room. Out of that cold night, a light was born—the light of *Satyagraha*, the force of truth and non-violence that would one day move an entire nation.
That young man was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—the Father of our Nation.
Gandhiji’s approach continues to offer a timeless, sustainable path for practising democracy—where ‘demos’ means people and ‘cracy’ means governance. I believe that the flagship initiative of Desh Apnayen Sahayog Foundation, the ACTiZENS’ Club, brings this philosophy alive in schools across India, preparing students to become the next generation of Alert, Informed, and Active Citizens.
Learning Democracy by Doing: The Mock Election
The ACTiZENS’ Club programme, conducted annually in government, government-aided, and private schools, begins with “Mock Election”—an activity designed to give students first-hand experience of the electoral process.
This directly addresses a challenge identified in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023: that classroom learning often has “little or no connection to the immediate life of the student.”
Through the Mock Election, students don’t just learn how elections are conducted—they begin to understand why every vote matters. They realise that turning 18 is not just a milestone but a civic responsibility: the power to elect leaders who are alert, informed, and accountable to the people.
Being a Citizen Devoted to Duty
The next activity, “Kartavyanishth Nagrik” (“The Duty-Bound Citizen”), reminds students that citizenship is about balance—between rights and duties. As I often tell my students, “Even while you sleep peacefully at night, someone out there is awake—protecting your Fundamental Rights.”
This exercise, inspired by the Fundamental Duties enshrined in Article 51(A) of the Constitution, encourages students to reflect on their own everyday choices:
- Do they stop at red lights?
- Avoid littering?
- Say no to single-use plastic?
- Plant trees or care for their surroundings?
In Madhya Pradesh, Class 9 students enact silent role-plays showing acts of duty, while their peers identify and discuss whether the behaviour represents a responsible citizen’s actions. The reflection that follows often sparks powerful realisations—about self, society, and sustainability.
This activity mirrors the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for nurturing individuals who can “participate and contribute meaningfully to sustaining and improving the democratic vision of the Indian Constitution.”
Contributing to the Nation
The third activity, “Rashtra ke Liye Yogdaan” (“Contribution to the Nation”), builds a sense of civic ownership and problem-solving. Students identify issues with both local and national relevance, analyse their causes, and suggest practical solutions.
By documenting their findings and proposed actions, they learn to approach problems critically, collaboratively, and compassionately—skills that every future citizen-leader must possess.
Stories of the Constitution
In “Samvedhanik Kahaniyan” (“Stories of the Constitution”), students explore the ideals of justice and equality enshrined in the Preamble and Fundamental Rights.
Through stories, they connect constitutional values to everyday life—seeing how justice is not just a legal concept, but a lived experience that shapes daily interactions, fairness, and empathy.
The Responsibility of an Active Citizen
The final activity, “Sakriya Nagrik ki Jimmedari” (“The Responsibility of an Active Citizen”), is one that personally resonates with me the most.
It draws directly from Gandhiji’s philosophy of Satyagraha—the art of peaceful resistance grounded in truth and moral courage. Gandhiji believed that protest against the State is justified only when it is truthful, non-violent, and rooted in conscience. Its purpose is not to destroy authority, but to transform it through dialogue and empathy.
In this exercise, students are encouraged to voice their concerns respectfully—perhaps through a formal letter to authorities—learning that change can be achieved not through anger, but through awareness, patience, and conviction.
Carrying Forward Gandhiji’s Legacy
From that cold night in Pietermaritzburg to the dawn of India’s freedom, Gandhiji taught us that democracy thrives on moral courage, truth, and duty.
The ACTiZENS’ Club programme embodies these same values. Its activities—rooted in participation, reflection, and real-life action—align with NEP 2020’s vision of developing not only cognitive skills but also compassion, character, and citizenship.
By nurturing students who are Alert, Informed, and Active, Desh Apnayen Sahayog Foundation is helping carry forward Gandhiji’s timeless dream of a peaceful, responsible, and awakened India.
Mr. Durgesh Kumar Bhaiya works as a School Engagement Officer with Desh Apnayen Sahayog Foundation’s partner schools in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Founded in 2015 by the co-founder of Enam Group, Mr. Vallabh Bhanshali, the NGO offers a citizenship education programme to over 8,000 schools across India with the goal of shaping ACTiZENS – Alert, Informed, and Active Citizens. To know more, visit www.deshapnayen.org.
