Rosary School in Vadodara (Baroda) Gujarat is one of the premier educational institutions of the state of Gujarat. It is co-educational and run by the Society of Jesus. It caters to about 2,300 students from all walks of life. The school that was begun in 1935, provides quality education to make students women and men for others. It also boasts of alumni, who have contributed significantly to the nation- in public service, sports, and academia and research engagements and in other important spheres. It is therefore, not without reason, that Rosary School, is much sought -after by parents, for the education of their children.
On November 4, 2023, 19 days ago, the school had its Annual School Day celebrations. The first part, which lasted for about an hour, was devoted to customary items like lighting of the lamp, prayer dance (performed beautifully by the school staff), the Principal’s report, the Chief Guest’s speech, the prize distribution etc. Then one would naturally have expected the traditional items of song, dance and playlets to hold fort the normal stage presentations so typical on such Annual Days in most schools.
But NO! The massive gathering: parents, alumni, well-wishers and friends of the institution were treated to a performance, which few will ever forget.
The theme of the Annual Day was ‘Promoting and Safeguarding Constitutional Values. The huge backdrop catchingly emblazoned the theme with a picture of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of the Constituent Assembly and a picture of the Constitution of India. The entire programme, which went on for a non-stop two hours, highlighted the four non-negotiable values of the Constitution: justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. It was a moving spectacle in song, dance and mime. Class after class (from the KG to Std. XII) they came; they regaled, engaged and conscientised the audience in meaningful ways. More than seven hundred students participated in a performance, which was simply brilliant, touching and heart stopping.
The tiny-tots of the kindergarten set the ball rolling. They were all beautifully dolled up in the image and likeness of those who fought for India’s freedom and ensured India’s independence from colonial rule on 15 August 1947. The children confidently paraded in royal style, to the cheers of the audience and with the commentator highlighting the significant role each of these played in making India a free nation. From a mini Mahatma Gandhi to Jhansi ki Rani: they were all there! It was an out- of this world performance by tiny tots, who helped bring back memories of those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.
The audience was then transported to August 29, 1947, with the appointment of the seven members to be on Drafting Committee for the new Constitution .The members of this Drafting Committee were certainly look-alikes of the original. The student who played the role of Ambedkar was certainly a chotta version of the original. The accents and articulations of each of these members, besides their names, magnificently communicated their cultural and ethnic backgrounds, which spoke volumes of the wealth of diversity in India. They were the link that bonded the entire programme. It was evident that painstaking research was put in, to ensure that this group of students would create the necessary impact.
Against the background of these stalwarts discussing the key values of the Constitution: the students came out in groups (according to their classes) and poignantly highlighted through real life incidents why these values are fundamental for a thriving democracy and of how directly and indirectly they are being violated on a daily basis. The discrimination of the girl child, for one, so rampant in the country today, was brought to the fore. The father of the child, whilst emphasising gender equality very proudly stated that my daughter is not tension but equal to ten sons! Other forms of discrimination and injustice that are being mainstreamed in the country were also brought to the fore. Corruption in public and private places, certainly made the audience wince. The need and importance for communal harmony and peace, for fraternity was depicted of how people are conveniently targeted because of their beliefs, customs and practices. The programmes touched upon several other grim realities and Constitutional violations, which thrive in the country today. The mimes were all topical and would have surely have made many from the audience say to themselves, yes all this is true; what the children are demonstrating, is happening on a daily basis!
As part of the diversity of India, there was an entire sequence of Indian dances. It was an enchanting performance by the students, who came out in gusto, dancing their hearts out to the words, tunes and steps of the various states of the country. They showed all how beautifully different the country is; of why we need to appreciate and learn from each other, of why above all, we all need to celebrate pluralism and differences.
The entire programme was painstakingly and meticulously choreographed; the commentary and voice overs showed that much care was taken to be as factual as possible. The costumes of the children were besides being beautiful, were also very tasteful. The slides, which came on and off, as a backgrounder, were not merely educative but helped in setting the tone for what was being enacted. The ambience, the music (sounds) and the lightning clearly showed that even a childrens programme could have professional perfection. It was no ordinary run-of-the-mill Annual Day; it was a students performance par excellence!
Celebrating Constitutionality was certainly a feeling that one took home after witnessing such a wonderful performance. Fr. Patrick Arockiam SJ , the Principal of Rosary School since 2019, is the brains behind this extra-ordinary programme. He has no hesitation in commending the excellent and selfless support from his entire staff, the whole-hearted cooperation of the parents, the alumni, and above all, the enthusiasm and the willingness of all the children to venture into and participate in a pathbreaking programme. In his typical unassuming manner, Fr Patrick states, I was keen on such on such a programme because it is the need of the hour; it is an effort to instil in the children the sanctity of the Constitution and to help them imbibe the values and the spirit enshrined in them. This should be high up on the priority for all educationists. When I put it across to my staff, they agreed with me one hundred percent and gave their best in ensuring that it materialised in such a wonderful way! The practices (during school hours) went for about three weeks. Incidentally, at the daily Assembly of the Rosary School, the students recite the Preamble of the Constitution and most have memorised it by now.
Rosary School has surely shown the way for all other educational institutions throughout the country, to do likewise. It would be interesting to see how many schools will actually do so. The Constitution is the only sacred book for a citizen of India. The values enshrined in them are non-negotiable and must be internalised by all children from the moment they enter the portals of an educational institution. The sanctity of the Constitution of India today however, is not only being trampled upon and desecrated, but being torn to shreds. Educationists need to exert a powerful and defining direction by taking up cudgels to promote and safeguard Constitutional values. They should regard it as their primary duty.
On the eve of the enactment of the Constitution, November 25, 1949, in a passionate speech to the Constituent Assembly, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the father of our Constitution, gave three unambiguous warnings: the need to give up the grammar of anarchy, to avoid hero-worship, and to work towards a social not just a political democracy! Ambedkar was, at that time, perhaps visioning what India could possibly become in 2023, and how these three aspects could not only destroy all that was sacred in the Constitution, but could result in the dismantling of the democratic framework. In a powerful interview recently (November 13) in The Wire with Karan Thapar, one of the foremost scholars of the Indian Constitution Prof Tarunabh Khaitan, professor of Public Law at the London School of Economics says Modi has Killed the Constitution by a 1000 Cuts. He states, “many of Indias political parties and institutions have sleep walked into (Modis) authoritarianism whilst others are complicit in Modis undermining of democracy; many people didnt realise what was happening whilst huge swathes of constitutional machinery was aware but let it happen. There is incremental, subtle but systemic style of autocratisation which chips at the fundamentals of democracy”. Will the citizens of India have the courage to do something about this?
With the General Elections just six months away, we the people of India, must get our act together immediately. As we observe another Constitution Day (on November 26), let us pay heed to Dr. Ambedkars passionate words to the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, If we wish to preserve the Constitution in which we have sought to enshrine the principle of Government of the people, for the people and by the people, let us resolve not to be tardy in the recognition of the evils that lie across our path and which induce people to prefer Government for the people to Government by the people, nor to be weak in our initiative to remove them. That is the only way to serve the country. I know of no better.” The responsibility is ours today!
As citizens, we all have both the right and duty, to protect and promote the Constitution of India! Rosary School, Baroda, has shown us all, one meaningful way of how to ‘Celebrate Constitutionality’! Do we have the responsibility and courage to do likewise?
(The author, Cedric Prakash SJ (Gujarat) is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist / writer)