What are the major hindrances to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform as envisaged by constitution in fundamental duties? Discuss with suitable examples.

Article 51A (h) of the constitution which propounds fundamental duties provides that “It shall be duty of every citizen to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform”. But the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of enquiry is still a under achieved phenomenon in India because:

• Religion: Often the structural rigidities have their roots in religion. This religious roots makes it a daunting task as there are high chances of communal tension flaring up when these rigidities are challenged.
• Parochialism: The parochial and orthodox elements of the Indian society restrict the inquisitiveness among the children. Thus the spirit of enquiry gets buried in childhood itself.
• Education System: The Indian education system is evolving into a platform of gaining employment rather than gaining knowledge. This restricts the spirit of enquiry.
• Attitude: Even the educated blindly follow the norms and superstitions due to lack of spirit of enquiry. This results in growing of superstitions blindly and it is trickling down from generation to generation.

India is the knowledge economy and IT capital of the world. But even the IT hubs become stand still during the solar and lunar eclipses as the superstitions restrict people eating or roaming around during the time. This has roots in religion scriptures and the education system is not successful in countering it.
The spirit of enquiry and reform are vital for success of make in India, Skill India or Digital India. India needs to shed its conservatism and embrace the spirit of enquiry and reform to encash human capital and transform them into demographic dividend.

Topics: GS-II: Salient Features Significant Provisions of Constitution