ENGLISH SHORTHAND DICTATION-76

Mr. President Sir. thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on this Resolution. I stand here to support the Resolution moved by Pandit Nehru, with all the force that I can command. This Resolution contains all the principles that need to be enunciated in such a kind of Resolution to be placed before this House. First of all, it has stated the objective that we all in India have in our minds, that is, to proclaim at a certain date the independence of India. Here we have only resolved that we shall proclaim the independence of India and we have that firm resolve in our mind to get the independence of India. That is the desire of every¹²⁰ one in India. I cannot imagine that there will be anybody in India from one end of India to the¹⁴⁰ other end, who will be against that kind of objective. Then it proclaims also that the kind of Constitution that¹⁶⁰ we shall make will be a republican form of Government, a democratic form of Government, a Government by the people and for the people. That is surely the desire of all the people of India. It is true that there are some monarchies in India but we envisage the time when all these monarchies will become at least wholly constitutional monarchies like the Monarchy of England, and we believe that even the people of all the States envisage that in²⁴⁰ their own States, there will be a democratic form of Government. Therefore, there can be no objection at all to these declarations that we have in this Resolution. Then it speaks of the territories which will be included in the²⁸⁰ Union of India and it is comprehensive enough. Then in the third paragraph it speaks of autonomous units and says that those autonomous units, which are now autonomous according to present boundaries or with such other boundaries as they may³²⁰ have afterwards, will remain autonomous units together with residuary powers and will exercise all powers and functions of Government and administration, except such powers which are assigned to the Central Government. This is our desire; this is the desire of³⁶⁰ all the people of this country. It is the object before us that each province will be autonomous. In this connection, I want to say that it is very unfortunate that the idea of Sections was introduced in the Cabinet Mission Declaration and that in a Section according to the latest interpretation given by His Majesty's Government a certain province⁴²⁰ will he outvoted by the majority of members of another province. I speak especially in connection with Section 'C' which relates to Assam. Assam is a non-Muslim province. There are 7 non-Muslims who are representatives of Assam in this Constituent Assembly and 3 are Muslims. I am sorry that my Muslim friends are not present here, in this Assembly. I⁴⁸⁰ wish they were here. In Bengal, there are 27 non-Muslims and 33 Muslims. If we are brought into a Section, there will be 36 Muslims and 34 non-Muslims and if the voting in that Section will be by a simple majority vote as interpreted by His Majesty's Government, it will mean that our Assam Constitution will be framed by the majority of the people of Bengal, that is the Muslim League. We cannot conceive of anything that is so unjust⁵⁶⁰ as this. It is a matter which should be considered by all the members of this Constituent Assembly. When the Cabinet Mission made its Declaration, we in Assam thought that such kind of interpretation might be given in the future⁶⁰⁰ but we took it for granted that the Cabinet Mission would not be so unreasonable as to place Assam, which is a non-Muslim province, to come under a Muslim province and that our Constitution would be framed by the majority⁶⁴⁰ of the members in the Section. We never thought that it would be like that, because we considered that it is unjust for the people of Assam to be placed in such a position.

Sir, I was very much gladdened by the declaration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the other day that the Congress had not accepted the interpretation of His⁷⁰⁰ Majesty's Government. We still hold that position. It appears to me that the British Cabinet Mission has changed its mentality⁷²⁰ from what it was when they were here in India. When they were in India they were under certain circumstances and were influenced by the opinion at that time in this country. When they have gone back to England, they are placed under a different circumstance, influenced by the Conservative Party there, and the force which Mr. Jinnah has placed upon their minds. They have changed their opinion altogether. That is what appears to me. I would like to know⁸⁰⁰ from Lord Pethick-Lawrence whether in reality there was that idea in the minds of the Cabinet Mission when they were here in India. There was nothing in any of their declarations, in any of their writings that said that the⁸⁴⁰ vote in the Sections would be by a simple majority vote. The principle of driving by force a non-Muslim province to come under a Muslim province is absolutely wrong. Mr. Jinnah has forced His Majesty's Government to commit this great injustice to our province, and we feel that we shall have the sympathy and support of this august body, that our province may not be driven to that pitiable condition. I want Mr. Jinnah and the League members to be here and I want them to come here to take part in the framing of the Constitution of India. I will expect him and all the others to be just. I do not want anything else except that they will⁹⁶⁰ act like gentlemen and be just. Everybody knows it is unjust that we should be forced into such a position⁹⁸⁰ in which we are now placed by the recent interpretation of His Majesty's Government. We are an autonomous province and a non-Muslim province. Why should we be forced to go to that kind of a Section which could outvote the province of Assam and frame the Constitution according to the desire of the majority, created artificially. It may be said that this will at once bring a conflict between the British Government and this Constituent Assembly. This need not be. Someone said that a deviation from the four walls of the Declaration of May 16th and giving a different interpretation¹⁰⁸⁰ would be revolutionary. This Constituent Assembly need not adopt that attitude at all. I believe that we can adopt a friendly attitude. We thank the British Government for the good effort it made to bring a compromise between the Hindus¹¹²⁰ and the Muslims. The British Government made good recommendations. It has acted as peacemaker. We shall, as far as practicable, implement its recommendations, but we shall, like responsible persons, be free to deviate from them whenever we find it is impracticable and unjust to carry out literally to the letter any of its recommendations. We shall frame a Constitution which will do justice to all minorities and which shall not overlook any community. If the members of the Muslim League¹²⁰⁰ co-operate, we shall heartily welcome them. After we have finished framing the Constitution, the whole of India will get the opportunity to see what kind of Constitution this Constituent Assembly has framed. We request the British gentlemen not to make speeches in Parliament which will suggest revolutionary activities in India. They should co-operate with us quietly until we finish our¹²⁶⁰ work, and then judge our work. Then only the British Government will have the opportunity to see what kind of¹²⁸⁰ a Constitution this Assembly has framed. Only after the Constitution has been framed, they will have the opportunity to say that this Constituent Assembly has been just or unjust to a certain community or to the Muslims. We do expect that the Muslim community will come here and co-operate in framing the Constitution of India. There is no one who wishes their attendance here more than I do. I have some very good friends of mine among the members of the Muslim League and I would like to see them come here and co-operate with this Assembly. ¹³⁷⁶

I want to speak on only one more point, which has impressed me from the speech of Viscount Simon in the House of Lords. ¹⁴⁰⁰ Viscount Simon has said that if this Constituent Assembly carries on the work of framing a Constitution for India, it will threaten India with a Hindu Raj. I was very much surprised when I saw these words in¹⁴⁴⁰ a newspaper this morning. When I was in Western countries, I was impressed by the fact that some people in those countries had an idea that a Hindu is a man who is steeped in his caste system and who worships a cow. If this is the idea which Viscount Simon has when he refers to a 'Hindu Raj’, then he is entirely wrong. The people who are assembled here belong to different religions. If they frame a Constitution which will be a democratic Constitution and which will do justice to everybody, why should that Constitution be called a Hindu Raj? If by 'Hindu' is meant people who live in India, surely we should have Constitution for the people of India. We want a Constitution to be made by the people of India, but if some people in India do not want to come into the constitution just now, they will come afterwards and I envisage a time when they¹⁶⁰⁰ will all enter into this Constitution and make India one united country with a democratic form of Government. ¹⁶²¹

ENGLISH SHORTHAND DICTATION - 75

Hon. Members, the House will notice that in this Resolution, we have not used the word 'democratic' because we thought it is obvious that the word 'republic' contains that word and we did not want to use unnecessary and redundant words, but we have done something much more than using the word. We have given the content of democracy in this Resolution and not only the content of democracy but the content of economic democracy in this Resolution. Others might take objection to this Resolution on the ground that we have not said that it should be a Socialist State. Well, I stand for Socialism, and I hope India will stand for Socialism and that India will go towards the¹²⁰ constitution of a Socialist State and I do believe that the whole world will have to go that way. ¹⁴⁰ It is another matter for your consideration as to what form of Socialism it will be. But the main thing¹⁶⁰ is that in such a Resolution, if I had put in that we want a Socialist State, we would have put in something which may be agreeable to many and may not be agreeable to some and we wanted this Resolution not to be controversial in regard to such matters. Therefore, we have laid down, not theoretical words and formulae, but rather the content of the thing we desire. This is important and there can be no dispute about it. Some²⁴⁰ people have pointed out to me that our mentioning a republic may somewhat displease the Rulers of Indian States. It is possible that this may displease them. But I want to make it clear personally and the House knows²⁸⁰ that I do not believe in the monarchical system anywhere, and that in the world today monarchy is a fast disappearing institution. Nevertheless, it is not a question of my personal belief in this matter. Our view in regard to³²⁰ these Indian States has been, first of all, that the people of those States must share completely in the freedom to come. It is quite inconceivable to me that there should be different standards and degrees of freedom as between the³⁶⁰ people in the States and the people outside the States. In what manner the States will be parts of that Union is a matter for this House to consider with the representatives of the States, and I hope in all matters relating to the States, this House will deal with the real representatives of the States. We are perfectly⁴²⁰ willing to deal in such matters as appertain to them, with the Rulers or their representatives also, but finally when we make a constitution for India, it must be through the representatives of the people of the States as with the rest of India. In any event, we may lay down or agree that the measure of freedom must be the⁴⁸⁰ same in the States elsewhere. It is a possibility and personally I should like a measure of uniformity too in regard to the apparatus and machinery of the Government. Nevertheless, this is a point to be considered in co-operation and in consultation with the States. I do not wish, and I imagine this Constituent Assembly will not like to impose anything on the States against their will. If the people of a particular State desire to have a certain⁵⁶⁰ form of administration, even though it might be monarchical, it is open to them to have it. The House will remember that even in the British Commonwealth of Nations today, Eire is a Republic, and yet in many ways it is⁶⁰⁰ a member of the British Commonwealth. So, it is a conceivable thing. I do not know what will happen because that is partly for this House and partly for others to decide. There is no incongruity or impossibility about a⁶⁴⁰ definite form of administration in the States, provided there is complete freedom and responsible Government there and the people really are in charge. If monarchical figure-heads are approved by the people of a particular State, whether I like it or not, I certainly will not like to interfere. So, I wish to make it clear that so far as⁷⁰⁰ this Resolution or Declaration is concerned, it does not interfere in any way with any future work that this Constituent Assembly⁷²⁰ may do, with any future negotiations that it may undertake. Only in one sense, it limits our work, that is, we adhere to certain fundamental propositions which are laid down in the Declaration. Those fundamental propositions are not controversial in any real sense of the word. Nobody challenges them in India and nobody ought to challenge them and if anybody does challenge, we accept that challenge and we hold our position. 

Yesterday I told the Members that I would be⁸⁰⁰ able to give some decision with regard to the programme of the work of the Assembly this morning. I have been considering that matter and some Members have seen me also in that connection. The work we have to get⁸⁴⁰ through is this. We have this Resolution, which we are considering. Then we have got the Rules to pass. Then there is another question with regard to the reference of the disputed point of interpretation to the Federal Court, with regard to which the Assembly may have to express some opinion and lastly, we must have to elect at any rate some of the Committees which will be provided for in the Rules. So, these are the four items that we have to finish before we go home after this session. The Rules have been practically considered and the final shape is being given to them. I propose to place them before the Rules Committee tomorrow morning and if the⁹⁶⁰ Rules are finally passed by the Rules Committee, they will be Presented to this House day after tomorrow. If the⁹⁸⁰ Members so desire, we can take up the question of referring the point of interpretation to the Federal Court on Saturday and thereafter we may take up the rules. I think that will take about two days or so. I think it all depends on the number of amendments which the Rules may evoke. Thereafter we may give a day for the appointment of the Committees. Now in this way if we work on Saturday, also on Sunday and on Monday, we might, possibly finish all this work if Members have some sort of self-denying ordinance and all¹⁰⁸⁰ who speak little and take as little time as possible. If we cannot complete by Monday, then in that case we shall have to go on after Christmas, that is to say, we shall have to take some days in this month¹¹²⁰ after the 25th. We cannot sit on public holidays. So, we can take up the discussion again on the 27th and 28th. So, unless the Members are prepared to sit on a Sunday and to work harder on Saturday and on Monday, there is no chance of finishing the work before Christmas and I do not like to go over to the next month, that is, the next year. I want to complete the work within this month. ¹²⁰⁰ I would, therefore, suggest that we take up this programme. We start discussing the rules in the afternoon of Saturday and if Christian Members particularly have no objection, we should sit on Sunday and then on Monday we may complete the whole thing. That would be rushing the business to some extent, if you want to avoid sitting after the 25^th, ¹²⁶⁰ otherwise we shall have to sit after the 25th and go on until we finish it. In this matter, ¹²⁸⁰ this is the difficulty which I have placed before the Members and I should like to know which they would prefer. Personally, I would like to finish it by Monday, if possible.

Mr. Chairman, my honourable friend, who has grown grey in the service of interpreting British Imperialist laws, has probably interpreted the limitations of the Cabinet Mission Plan correctly. As he said, the limitations are probably correct. But we need not be frightened by them. My esteemed colleague wants to wait for their Highnesses, the Princes, to come in and have a hand in distorting our future freedom. We need not have that. We do not want the autocratic Princes to come in and have a hand in distorting our¹⁴⁰⁰ future. Of course, so far as the Muslim League is concerned, that is on a different footing altogether. But I am not sorry that the Muslim League is not here; I am only sorry that the Congress also has¹⁴⁴⁰ not gone out of the British Plan and left the British Plan to itself, to stew in its own juice. Agreement with the Muslim League for gaining independence of our country and for drafting a really free constitution of our country, is essential. But if you think that by waiting for the Muslim League, or by the Congress remaining here and the Muslim League remaining outside, you will be able to have a properly framed constitution, I am afraid you are sadly mistaken and you are counting without your host, the British imperialist, who have made this Plan. You have seen the example of the Interim Government. Both the League and the Congress are there, but that has not solved the problem of our quarrels and internecine warfare in this country. It has happened there just as the British wanted it to happen. They wanted the parties to fight against each other with the prospect of the British giving support¹⁶⁰⁰ in one party's favour against the other with the result that in between these quarrels the British become more firmly entrenched. ¹⁶²¹

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Redundant     -           Not necessary or wanted

Internecine    -           Mutually destructive

ENGLISH SHORTHAND DICTATION - 74

On the occasion of 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India, I convey my warm greetings to all of you, and to all our fellow citizens in India and abroad. It was 70 years ago, on this very day, that in this Central Hall itself, through the Members of the Constituent Assembly, we the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to ourselves this Constitution. It was in 2015, the 125th birth anniversary year of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar that the Government of India decided to celebrate November 26 as 'Constitution Day' every year. This is a commendable¹⁰⁰ initiative to reiterate our gratitude to the chief architect of our Constitution. This is for the first time that we¹²⁰ are celebrating the 'Constitution Day' in the Central Hall, with the participation of Members of both Houses of Parliament. It¹⁴⁰ is a privilege for all of us to witness and participate in this historic event. By their sheer wisdom, prudence, ¹⁶⁰ foresight and diligence, the makers of our Constitution prepared a futuristic and vibrant document that reflects our ideals and aspirations on one hand, and protects the future of all Indians on the other. The Constitution of India lies at the²⁰⁰ foundation of the world's largest democracy. This is the supreme law in the country’s democratic framework and it continuously guides us in our endeavours. The Constitution is also the fountainhead of our democratic system of governance and our guiding light. ²⁴⁰ We Indians have had a tradition of maintaining our Indian identity while also welcoming noble ideas emanating from all the sources. This cultural ethos also finds its reflection in the making of our Constitution. We have adopted the best²⁸⁰ practices from several other Constitutions of other countries. In addition, the imprint of our age-old values​​ and the ideals from our³⁰⁰ freedom struggle can also be seen in our Constitution. Our Constitution is of the people of India, by the³²⁰ people of India, and for the people of India. It is a national document whose different facets also reflect the democratic systems prevalent in our ancient assemblies, ancient Indian republics and the Buddhist Sanghas. Under the extraordinary chairmanship of Dr. Rajendra³⁶⁰ Prasad, the Constituent Assembly accomplished the exceptional feat of blending and balancing different ideas and ideologies. The drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly, under the chairmanship of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, displayed unparalleled prudence, honesty, grit and diligence and gave final⁴⁰⁰ shape to the Constitution. Our democracy finds its resonance in our Constitution. To ensure that the Constitution remains relevant⁴²⁰ over time, the makers of the Constitution also incorporated provisions allowing future generations to make such amendments as may be deemed necessary. Indian democracy is duly regarded and respected all over the world. This year, the people of India, participated in the 17th General Election and accomplished the largest democratic exercise in the world. Over 610 million people cast their vote⁴⁸⁰ in this election. The participation of women voters was almost equal to that of men. The election of 78 women⁵⁰⁰ Members to 17th Lok Sabha, being the highest number of women Members ever elected to this House, is a glorious achievement for our democracy. Today, all the Members of the Standing Committee of Parliament on Empowerment of Women are women. This signifies an important social and political change reflective of a bright future.

The people of our country deserve⁵⁶⁰ to be complimented for the value and respect that the Indian Constitution has earned over the last 70 years. Likewise, the three organs of the Union and State Governments, that is, the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, deserve to be complimented⁶⁰⁰ for the same. Strengthening the relationship and synergy between the Union and States, our journey towards co-operative federalism is a living example of the dynamism of our Constitution. While delivering his last speech in the Constituent Assembly on 25^th of⁶⁴⁰ November, 1949, Dr. Ambedkar had said that the success of the Constitution would depend upon the conduct of the people of India and the political parties. The illustrious makers of our Constitution had, with complete devotion and honesty, envisioned to serve and work conscientiously while remaining free from fear or favour, affection or ill-will and bias. They would have been confident⁷⁰⁰ that their future generations, that is, all of us, will adopt these values ​​with the same spontaneity and integrity, as⁷²⁰ they, themselves, did. I think, in the present times, we all need to introspect and reflect upon this. In one of his speeches to the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar while underlining the importance of constitutional morality emphasised that the essence of constitutional morality was to regard the Constitution as supreme and to follow the constitutionally mandated procedures regardless of any ideological differences. All the three organs of the State, persons gracing the constitutional posts, members of the civil society⁸⁰⁰ and common citizens of India are expected to abide by constitutional morality.  According to our Constitution, it is the duty of every citizen to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions; to cherish and follow the noble⁸⁴⁰ ideals of our freedom struggle; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women; and to value and preserve the rich heritage of our culture. The Constitution also mentions other duties of citizens. Mahatma Gandhi, while speaking about rights and duties of people, had said, "The true source of rights is duty. If we all discharge our duties, rights will⁹⁰⁰ not be far to seek.” By incorporating the provisions relating to Fundamental Duties into our Constitution, our Parliament has made it abundantly clear that while being alert about their rights, citizens should also be conscious of their duties. ‘Fundamental duties’ also remind the people of their moral responsibilities. It can be said that the soul of the Constitution lies in⁹⁶⁰ its Preamble, and in the parts pertaining to Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties. Rights and duties are two⁹⁸⁰ sides of the same coin. Our Constitution provides the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression and it also¹⁰⁰⁰ enjoins upon citizens the duty to safeguard public property and to abjure violence. Therefore, if someone misconstrues the meaning of the freedom of speech and expression and is about to damage some public property, then another, who prevents him from indulging in such an act of violence and anarchy will be seen as a dutiful citizen. Therefore, we need to perform our duties and thereby create circumstances which would ensure effective protection of rights.

Developing the spirit of humanism is¹⁰⁸⁰ also a fundamental duty of citizens. To serve with compassion towards all, is also inherent in this duty. I would like to mention one Shrimati Muktaben of Gujarat, on whom I had the honour of conferring ‘Padmashri’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan¹¹²⁰ this very year. Despite losing her eyesight in her childhood, she devoted her whole life to the welfare of others. She has brightened the lives of many visually impaired girls. Through her organization, she has been instilling the light of hope in the lives of numerous blind women from many States of India. Citizens like her truly uphold the ideals of our Constitution. They deserve to be called nation-builders. As Members of Parliament, you have taken an oath to bear¹²⁰⁰ true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India. As the President of India, I too have taken an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law to the best of my ability and devote myself to the service and well-being of the people¹²⁶⁰ of India. We all need to be always mindful of our oath and affirmation. Citizens and voters of India expect¹²⁸⁰ their representatives to work to solve issues related to their welfare. Most people never get to meet their own Members of Parliament. But they regard you as the guardians of their hopes and aspirations. In deference to this trust and faith, serving the people should be our foremost priority. It is indeed a great fortune to enter this holy temple of democracy and get an opportunity to serve the people of India. The most important objective and ideal presented to us by the Constitution is to secure to all its citizens justice and equality of status and of opportunity. It is only because the framers of Constitution ensured equality of opportunity that I have this opportunity to address this historic¹⁴⁰⁰ sitting of Parliament as the President of India. Our Constitution enshrines the ideal of building an inclusive society and also contains provisions for realizing it. Today is a great opportunity to convey our gratitude to the makers of our Constitution¹⁴⁴⁰ who gave us a system to bring about revolutionary changes peacefully by way of constitutional amendments. All Members of Parliament deserve appreciation for the several constitutional amendments passed during the last few years. In our country, constitutional avenues are available to address all kinds of situations that we may face. Therefore, whatever we do, we must first ponder whether our action is in conformity with constitutional boundaries, dignity and morality? I am sure that, being mindful of this constitutional touchstone and consistent with our constitutional ideals, we will earn for India its rightful place in the world as an ideal democracy. Let us resolve that we, the people of India, will continuously strive to achieve the ideals of our Constitution and realize the dreams of millions of our fellow citizens. ¹⁵⁷⁰

DICTATION EXERCISE-73

          Generally, the first hour of a sitting of the Lok Sabha is devoted to Questions and that hour is called the Question Hour. It has a special significance in the proceedings of Parliament. Asking questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of Members. It is during the Question Hour that Members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and governmental activity. Government politics and the national as well as international spheres come into sharp focus as the Members try to elicit pertinent information during the Question Hour. The Government is put on trial during the Question Hour and every Minister whose turn it is to answer Questions has to stand up and answer the administration’s act of omission and commission. At the same time, through the Question Hour, the Government is able to quickly feel the pulse of¹⁴⁰ the nation and adopt its policies and actions accordingly.¹⁵⁰ It is through questions in Parliament that the Government remains in¹⁶⁰ touch with the people as Members are enabled to ventilate grievances of the public in matters concerning the administration. Questions enable Ministries to gauge popular reaction to their policy and administration. Questions also bring to the notice of the Ministers many an abuse which otherwise would have gone unnoticed. Sometimes, questions may lead to the appointment of a commission, a court of enquiry or even a legislation when matters raised are grave enough to agitate the public mind and are of wide public importance.

          Questions are of four types: Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice Questions and Questions addressed to Private Members. A Starred Question is one to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House and which is distinguished²⁸⁰ by an asterisk mark. When a question is answered orally, supplementary questions can be asked thereon. Only 20 questions³⁰⁰ can be listed for oral answer on a day. An Unstarred Question is one which is not called for oral answer³²⁰ in the House and on which no supplementary questions can consequently be asked. To such a question, a written answer is deemed to have been laid on the Table after the Question Hour by the Minister to whom it is addressed. It is printed in the official report of the sitting of the House for which it is put down. Only 230 questions can be listed for written answer on a day. In addition, 25 more questions can also be included in the Unstarred List relating to States under President’s Rule and the total number of questions in the list⁴²⁰ of Unstarred Questions for a day may not exceed 255 in relaxation of the normal limit of 230 questions. A Short Notice Question is one which relates to a⁴⁵⁰ matter of urgent public importance and can be asked with a shorter notice than the period of notice prescribed for an ordinary question. Like a Starred Question, it is answered orally, ⁴⁸⁰ followed by supplementary answers.

          The Question to a Private Member is addressed to the Member himself and it is asked when the subject-matter of it pertains to any Bill, Resolution or any matter relating to the Business of the House for which that Member is responsible. For such questions, the same procedure is followed as in the case of questions addressed to a Minister with such variations as the Speaker may consider necessary or convenient. The List of Starred, Unstarred,⁵⁶⁰ Short Notice Questions and Questions to Private Members are printed in green, white, light pink and yellow colour respectively, to distinguish them from one another. A Member gives notice in writing addressed to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha,⁶⁰⁰ intimating one’s intention to ask a question. Besides the text of the question, the notice states clearly the official designation of the Minister to whom the question is addressed, the date on which the answer is desired, as also the order of⁶⁴⁰ preference, in the event when a Member tables more than one notice of questions for the same day. A Member is allowed to give not more than ten notices of questions, both for oral and written answers, in all, for any day. Notices received in excess of ten from a Member for a day, are considered for subsequent day concerning⁷⁰⁰ that Minister during the period of that session only. The normal period of notice of a question is not less than 15 clear days. However, the Speaker can relax the required minimum notice period of 15 clear days to protect the interest of the Members. A Short Notice Question⁷⁵⁰ can be asked with a notice shorter than ten days but the Member has to state briefly the reasons for asking the question at such short notice.

          On receipt of the notice of a question, it is scrutinized to see that the designation of the Minister and date of answer have⁸⁰⁰ been correctly mentioned in the notice. A preliminary ballot of identical questions is held and the Member who obtains priority is deemed to have tabled the question. A computerized auto ballot is then held in respect of notices received in⁸⁴⁰ the Secretariat at the same time to determine their inter se priority. Separate ballots are held for Starred and Unstarred Questions. Starred, Unstarred and Short Notice questions are numbered separately and entered in separate diaries on the computer software. The next stage is to examine the notices of questions in the light of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business⁹⁰⁰ in Lok Sabha, Directions by the Speaker, provisions of the Constitution of India and past precedent. A question is primarily asked for the purpose of obtaining information on a matter of public importance. Questions that contain arguments, inferences or defamatory statements or otherwise refer to the character or conduct of any person except in his official or public capacity, are⁹⁶⁰ not admitted. Besides, if the subject-matter of a question is pending for judgement before any court of law or any⁹⁸⁰ other tribunal or body set up under law or is under consideration before a Parliamentary Committee, the same is not permitted to be asked. Questions making discourteous references to foreign countries with whom India has friendly relations are disallowed. Similarly, questions raising larger issues of policy are not allowed for it is not possible to enunciate policies within the limited compass of an answer to a question. Questions containing more¹⁰⁵⁰ than 150 words or relating to a matter which is not primarily the concern of the Government of India are not admitted. Questions going into minor details of administration and day-to-day working of the Government are also not permitted. Keeping the above rules and precedents in view, a question is admitted or disallowed. Typed copies of the admitted and edited questions are then made out on a standard form. ¹¹²⁰ An advance copy of the admitted question is sent online to the Ministry or Department concerned so that they may, on their side, initiate action for collection of information asked for in the question to prepare a reply.

A Short Notice Question which is of wide public importance is first referred to the Ministry concerned for furnishing factual information in the matter and also for indicating whether the Minister concerned accepts the short notice and if so, what date will¹²⁰⁰ be convenient to him to answer the question. If the Minister accepts the short notice and the matter sought to be raised is considered urgent by the Speaker, the Short Notice Question is admitted and printed in separate list in light pink paper in order to distinguish it from the lists of ordinary questions. The Short Notice Question is taken¹²⁶⁰ up after the Question Hour. Immediately on fixation of the dates of the sittings of a session of Lok Sabha, ¹²⁸⁰ allotment of the days for the answering of questions relating to various Ministries of the Government of India is made. For this purpose, the Ministries are divided into five Groups and fixed days are allotted to groups of Ministries during the week. There is no Question Hour on Saturday, even if a sitting is fixed for that day. Separate lists are prepared for Starred and Unstarred Questions which have been¹³⁵⁰ admitted. Admitted Questions are entered in the List of Questions for the day for oral or written answers, as the case may be, in the order of priority obtained in ballot with the orders of the Speaker. Not more than five questions are admitted in the name of a Member¹⁴⁰⁰ for each sitting of which not more than one is put down for oral answer. While compiling the list of Unstarred Questions, care is taken to see that one question of each Member is included in the List of Questions¹⁴⁴⁰ of that date. The remaining Unstarred Questions are thereafter put in the list according to inter se priority obtained in the ballot. A serial number is allotted to each question. Normally, not more than 20 questions are placed on the List of Questions for oral answers and not more than 230 questions are placed on the List of Questions for¹⁵⁰⁰ written answers on any one day. The Ministries are supplied with the lists of finally admitted questions at least five days before the date fixed for asking the questions. A Member whose question has been admitted and which is included in the List of Questions for oral answer for a particular day, rises in one’s place when the turn of the question comes and asks the question by reading out its number on the List of Questions. The Minister concerned answers the question. Thereafter, the Member who had asked the question can ask only two supplementary questions. ¹⁵⁹⁷

DICTATION EXERCISE-72

          We develop a mindset about the kind of work that can be associated with each gender. Women are typically seen as the homemakers while men as the breadwinners. In the job scenario, women often are seen as doing the jobs that are considered safe for them. So many women become teachers or nurses, roles that fit with their image of caretaker. Professions that require a scientific or technical knowledge are usually not considered fit for women. Firstly, because of the risks involved and secondly, because of the stereotype attached that women may not be able to handle technical things. As a result of these stereotypes, we find people focusing more on educating the boys for professions such as doctors, engineers and pilots. Girls rarely get the same encouragement and motivation to pursue their dreams and goals. In our society and¹⁴⁰ many other societies, people, especially children, face pressure from others.¹⁵⁰ Their thinking is influenced by the adult’s thought process.¹⁶⁰ For example, boys are trained to earn money while girls are trained in the household jobs. Today, getting an education or going to school is pretty common. Both boys and girls go to school. But what is perceived as common today was not so in the past. In the past, girls and women did not have access to education or schools. Those girls who dared to acquire knowledge were not treated well by the society. However, the socio-religious reformers brought changes in the society and education for girls. Schools became more common and people who had never been to school started sending their children to school. However, education for girls still did not receive the desired results. Women continued struggling for²⁸⁰ their right to be educated.

          Both boys and girls attend schools today. However, this does not mean that there is³⁰⁰ equality in education because the number of boys and girls studying in schools is still disproportionate. The number of girls³²⁰ attending schools today is still much less than the desired numbers. The percentage of literate males in 1961 was 40 and in 2011 was nearly 82. The percentage of literate females in 1961 was as low as 15 per cent. Through government efforts, this number has risen to 66 per cent in 2011. Yet many more women remain illiterate. The reasons for inequality are many and varied. Generally, the poor families cannot afford to send their children to school and if they do, they usually send the male child and not the girl child as the male child is considered⁴²⁰ the breadwinner. Another reason is that in rural areas, sometimes the schools are not located nearby which means that the girls have to travel long distances to reach the school. ⁴⁵⁰ Parents do not consider this safe for girls and hence, they are deprived of schooling. Sometimes the girls are discriminated against in the schools, particularly if they belong to⁴⁸⁰ the scheduled tribe category, because of the social differences that exist in our society. As a result, a number of girls drop out. Yet another reason for girls not completing their studies is the practice of early marriage or child marriage which is still prevalent in some parts of India.  In recent times, girls and women have been encouraged to exercise their right to education and to take up any profession. Girls today have the right to be educated and are⁵⁶⁰ participating in almost all spheres of life. This is the result of years of struggle and reforms to uplift women’s legal status, improve their health, end violence against them, provide employment opportunities, etc. Women all over the country have struggled⁶⁰⁰ individually and collectively to ring about these changes. Several men have also lent their support to the struggles. The movement has acquired a dynamic character through the efforts of a number of people.

          Since ancient times, women in India⁶⁴⁰ were deprived of equal rights as men and were subjected to follow rigid traditions and had very low status in the society. They faced many social evils such as sati, purdah system, violence, female infanticide, child marriages and so on. This began to change in the nineteenth century when a new consciousness that emphasized on women’s rights spread among the people. ⁷⁰⁰ During the struggle for Independence, many women came to the forefront to participate in the struggle. It was during this time that many social reforms and movements to uplift the status of women were witnessed. It was a mixture of different social reformers that spearheaded the movements. The fight⁷⁵⁰ against discrimination and efforts to empower women in all walks of life continues even in today’s times. Through the years, people have adopted different ways to fight the discrimination. These include campaigning, protesting, spreading awareness amongst people to change the mindset of the people. Many initiatives and government policies⁸⁰⁰ have also been implemented to bring about a change in the way women and girls are treated in the society. Women in general and women activists and women’s rights advocates in particular continue to fight against any violation of women’s rights. If⁸⁴⁰ an act or law violates their interest, they stand up to protest and raise their voice against it. The women’s movement has had an important role to play in raising awareness on important issues concerning women such as their rights, education and health. The awareness raising campaigns are undertaken in the form of street plays, public meetings, cultural programmes, etc.⁹⁰⁰ Women activists launch rallies and protests which help to create public awareness and the police and judiciary also take notice of these issues. Although there still is gender inequality prevailing in the society, the opportunities available to women have broadened over the years and their future prospects have improved. We await the day when inequality between the rights⁹⁶⁰ of men and women will completely fade away.

          Advertisement is a promotional activity where the manufacturer or the trader or the service⁹⁸⁰ provider is called an advertiser; the message or the information supplied is called advertisement and the media through which such information is supplied are called the media of advertising. On the basis of the purpose served by the advertisements, they can be classified into commercial advertisements, non-commercial advertisements and social advertisements. The aim of the commercial advertisements is to promote certain products and services and persuade people to choose them. ¹⁰⁵⁰ Commercial advertisements help in increasing the demands of a product. Non-commercial advertisements are meant for giving information about different charitable institutions, non-governmental and governmental organizations or political parties and the work done by them. The government also uses media to communicate with general public to give information about its welfare schemes and policies. The purpose of such advertisements is to spread awareness about social issues such as precautions to prevent¹¹²⁰ certain diseases, safety rules to be followed, etc. This is known as social advertising. Advertisements help in creating an image for the brands as they highlight the unique features of the product. Advertising can also help in making a brand appealing to the different concerns of the consumer and hence, build their own brand values. Advertising is essential in getting the people to buy a brand. First of all, the company or the manufacturer decides upon the product¹¹²⁰ that they wish to launch. The company then hires an advertising agency. It is the task of the advertising agency to find out who would be the target consumer and launch a campaign accordingly. The advertising agency carries out a survey across various cities and sections of the society and comes up with a campaign to launch the product successfully in the market. ¹²⁶⁰ A marketing strategy is then drawn up by the company and the product is first¹²⁸⁰ tested among a small section of the target consumer along with the visuals and advertisements. Once the marketing strategy is considered successful, the advertising campaign is finalized. It is then released through the media along with the launch of the product.

Advertisements have a strong influence on how we choose to buy or consume different items. This in turn impacts our lives and how we perceive things and ourselves. As¹³⁵⁰ more and more products and services are advertised on different media, there is an increase in the desire to buy or consume these products and services even though one does not need them. This is known as consumerism. It is another example of the impact that advertising has on people. Advertisements can also be misleading¹⁴⁰⁰ and make false claims about different products and services. This will make consumers choose these products and services even though it may not be beneficial for them. There is also a deep link between democracy¹⁴⁴⁰ and advertisement. Although advertisements are free to creatively express ideas and opinions promoting different products and services, they also exhibit inequality. Making the advertisements and advertising through different media costs a lot of money. Such amount of money can only be invested by big business houses. Therefore, people with small business cannot afford to advertise their products or services which¹⁵⁰⁰ in turn impact their sales. Consumers also get influenced by the advertisements and prefer packaged or branded products over other products manufactured by small producers. Therefore, the sales and income of people with smaller business is adversely affected and this forces them out of the market, reinforcing inequality between people with big business and small business. Though advertising appeals to our personal emotions and have a strong influence on our lifestyles, as citizens of a democratic society, we must make independent choices. We must encourage advertisement with social messages and discourage products that highlight the inequalities in society. ¹⁵⁹⁸

DICTATION EXERCISE-70

          Media is the plural form of the word ‘medium’ and it refers to the different ways in which we can communicate in the society. Everything ranging from a public meeting to the programmes you watch on television is termed as media. While letters and emails are means of personal communication, newspapers, magazines, television, radio and films are means of mass communication as they reach a large audience. The term ‘mass media’ is used for these means of public communication. Various types of plays in different cultures were probably the first form of mass media. This was followed by transmittal of information and knowledge via written content on paper. The invention of the printing press in 1453 brought a revolution in the way information was transmitted. It led to the development of print media that communicates through printed content on paper.¹⁴⁰ For example, newspapers, books, magazines, etc. However, printing books was¹⁵⁰ quite expensive; hence printed material could not be used as¹⁶⁰ a mass media for a couple of centuries. Newspapers were also introduced as early as the 15^th century but they became easily available to the masses only in the 19^th century. During the 20^th century, the growth of mass media was driven by technology that allowed massive duplication of material. Technologies such as printing, record pressing and film duplication led to the duplication of books, newspapers and films at low prices for a large number of people. Radio and television entered the field of mass media as electronic media which could duplicate and transmit information electronically. Thus, on the basis of the technology used, mass media came to be classified as print media and electronic media. All India Radio, now²⁸⁰ known as Akashvani, is the radio broadcaster of the Government of India and Doordarshan is the government-funded television service broadcaster. ³⁰⁰

          Electronic media communicates or transmits news, information or content through electronic technology. In recent years, we have seen further³²⁰ technological growth in electronic media. The internet and the cable television are the new buzz words which have reached a large number of people and are still growing. With each advancement in electronic media, there is an immense improvement in the quality of images and sounds that are transmitted. At the same time, the reach of the electronic as well as print media keeps on expanding more than ever before. Technology not only improves the quality but also brings about a change in our thinking. Today, we cannot imagine life without television, smartphones and the internet. These enable us to think⁴²⁰ of ourselves as members of the global world. Internet, mobile phones and telephones have made it possible for people to communicate with each other across the world instantly. The use⁴⁵⁰ of satellites and cables for communication has made it possible for us to view news and entertainment channels from around the world. Further advancement in technology and use of⁴⁸⁰ computers has led to the rise of new mediums of communication popularly known as the social media. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube are the most popular forms of social media. They allow people to share information, images, videos, opinions instantly and in real time. As a result, it is not only being used as a means of personal communication but also as a popular means of mass communication. Social media has made inroads into our lives and is silently revolutionizing⁵⁶⁰ mass media.  The technology that the mass media uses keeps on changing continuously as more advanced machines are developed. To keep abreast of their competitors, media houses and companies have to deploy the latest technologies which requires a great deal⁶⁰⁰ of money. Moreover, in bringing news or a favourite programme to your homes, many people from different fields are involved. For example, to create and broadcast a programme on television, an entire film crew comprising of the director, producer, ⁶⁴⁰ cinematographer, camera operators, lighting, technicians, film editors, etc. and several artists work together. This is like any other profession in which people have to be paid for services rendered. Therefore, mass media requires a lot of money to run its operations.

          We find that a number of television channels and newspapers are part of big business houses because of the high⁷⁰⁰ costs involved. The most popular method used to earn money by mass media for running its operations is in the form of advertisements. These are paid messages that promote a product or service. Their purpose is to influence the people to buy those products or services. Every time you watch a programme⁷⁵⁰ on television, there are several advertisements that are shown during intervals. In return, those companies that benefit from advertisements pay revenue to the channels. The radio also earns money through its audio advertisements. The media plays an important role in a democracy.  It has the capacity to⁸⁰⁰ create an informed opinion. It enlightens and empowers the people. Access to information is essential for the health of a democracy for two reasons. Firstly, it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. ⁸⁴⁰ Secondly, information serves as a check by ensuring that elected representatives uphold their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those who elect them. It is in providing this information that the media plays an important role. Based on this information, the citizens can learn about the functioning of the government and can voice their opinions against the government⁹⁰⁰ through the media. The media can further promote democracy by educating voters, protecting human rights, promoting tolerance among various social groups and ensuring that governments are transparent and accountable. Therefore, it becomes necessary that the media provides a balanced report. By a balanced report, we mean that when a story is covered by the media, it should⁹⁶⁰ discuss all points of that particular story and should leave it up to the readers to form their own opinions. The media⁹⁸⁰ can present a balanced report only when the media channel is independent. It should not be under the control and influence of anybody in the coverage of its news. In most democracies, laws have been enacted to give ample freedom to the journalists and ordinary citizens to access information on government policies.

          Usually, the same news event is covered differently in various newspapers. It is possible that each newspaper presents a¹⁰⁵⁰ different angle of the same story. This would mean that the media is independent and can cover a news event in any way that it feels is appropriate. But, in reality, media is not completely independent. Two reasons can be attributed to this. One is the control that the government has on the media and second is the influence of the people who own the media. The government on¹¹²⁰ its part can prevent either a news item or scenes from movies, shows, lyrics of a song from being shared with the people. This is called censorship. There have been instances in the history of India where the government has taken steps to censor the media. In general, however, the government confines itself to the censorship of films. The media’s coverage of news is not really censored by the government. Despite the absence of censorship, the media sometimes fails to present¹²⁰⁰ a balanced story. This can be because it does not consider all the facts. Also, the media can sometimes fall under the influence of one dominant views or the other and therefore, their findings and reports can be biased or inclined to certain opinions and perspectives, thereby influencing public opinion. We must remember that media plays an important role¹²⁶⁰ in setting the agenda that decides which news items are worthy of attention and which are not. They help in¹²⁸⁰ shaping our opinions and thoughts. It is the media which brings to light issues that require our attention. For example, the media very recently drew our attention towards global warming. Most of the newspapers and magazines highlight reports or present data on the rising levels of seas and the melting of the glaciers at a rapid rate. The areas that are most prone to such changes have been covered in the¹³⁵⁰ reports. This information has helped us in focusing on an issue that affects our lives. We may have failed to take notice of it had it not been for the media reporting in a big way.

          However, at a number of places the media has failed to fulfill its¹⁴⁰⁰ responsibilities. It is increasingly reporting instances that are of trivial importance while ignoring the greater issues at hand. In their quest to present the most attention-grabbing and groundbreaking news, the media sometimes loses its way and succumbs to the global¹⁴⁴⁰ trend of glorifying the news. This is especially the case in television, where reports on crime and entertainment drown out the more important news of the day. The stress on glitzy effects and bite-size news reports leaves no time for serious and in-depth discussions on the issues that actually matter. The result is that a healthy public discourse does not take¹⁵⁰⁰ place due to the lack of availability of the real facts and different aspects of a particular news. Less than 25 per cent of national news bulletins cover news related to health, education, development, welfare, environment, etc. Ideally in a democracy, the media acts as a watchdog reporting on corruption, human rights violation and other forms of wrongdoings which would help build a culture of accountability in the government. Newspapers and public affairs programmes on the radio and television inform, educate and engage the public and prompt them to take action. At times, the media helps in peace-building¹⁶⁰⁰ efforts.