Page 182 - SST Class 08

people. The President is elected indirectly by the given opportunities for employment according to
people as the representatives elected by the
people elect him. The Prime Minister is appointed
the leader of the majority party or coalition in the
Parliament. Both of them are elected for a
specified period of 5 years. This feature makes
India a republic.
Quiz Time
Fill in the blanks :
1. The people are the supreme power in a
__________ .
2. The __________ of India is the supreme law of
the land.
3. The __________ is the introduction to the
Constitution of India.
4. The people elect their __________ because all
people cannot sit in the legislatures.
5. The Constitution of India was passed on
__________ .
VALUES AND IDEALS OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
The Preamble to our Constitution has determined
certain values and ideals which are necessary for
the government to make effort to achieve. The
purpose of these values and ideals is to enable the
people of India lead a happy and contented life in
the just society where all people live in fraternity
and have equal status and opportunities for
different needs of life. Following are the values
and ideals enshrined in the Preamble :
Justice
It is specifically provided in the Preamble to the
Constitution that social, economic and political
justice is the goal of the republic of India. Justice is
necessary for a decent way of life, so that the
people can be assured safety, security and progress
in life. A society devoid of justice cannot hope to
progress. The Preamble mentions three types of
justice— social, economic and political. By social
justice is meant that nobody will be discriminated
against on any ground, such as religion,
community, caste, sex, race or place of birth. By
economic justice is meant that all people will be
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their qualification and merit, and an effort will be
made for equitable distribution of wealth. By
political justice is meant that the laws will be made
for the welfare of the people and no person will be
denied his political rights on any grounds. Political
justice also entails that all people will have the
right to participate in the government.
Activity
Supposing you are the Prime Minister of India. How
will you ensure the ideal of justice to all people?
Write your comments in not more than 100 words.
Liberty
The Preamble mentions liberty of thought,
expression, belief, faith and worship. This entitles
all citizens of India freedoms by which they can
become able and good citizens. A democracy
gives its citizens the right to express themselves.
Similarly, they have the right to observe their
belief, faith and worship the way they like. These
liberties ensure the unity of the nation.
Info Bits
Info Bits
Universal adult franchise is important for the
success of a democracy.
Equality
The Preamble mentions equality of status and
opportunity. In the society, some people are rich
and some are poor; some people claim to belong
to high castes and some are treated as the
downtrodden. However, in our country, all
people are treated at par, and they have equal
rights. They are equal before the law. The right of
a rich man or a high-caste man is in no way
superior to that of a poor man or a low-caste man.
The law gives them equal protection without any
discrimination. Similarly, all people are given
equal opportunities for progress and development,
the only criteria are qualification and merit.
F ind Outind Out
What is equality?