Illuminating Dholpur: ChandraJyoti Abhiyan And The Rebirth Of Democracy From ‘Kitab Ka Pehla Panna'

News18

03-07-2025

Every school textbook in India starts with the Preamble to the Constitution—the 'Kitab Ka Pehla Panna". Yet, as Nivrutti keenly observed, this page is often hurried past in the rush to complete the syllabus. Teachers, burdened by curriculum targets, and students, anxious about exams, tend to overlook this foundational text. But in a nation as diverse and dynamic as India, that first page encapsulates the soul of our democracy.
Recognising this missed opportunity, the ChandraJyoti Abhiyan was born. 'If we can bring the Preamble out of obscurity," Nivrutti explains, 'we can bring the Constitution to life in young minds." And so began a journey that would transform the educational landscape of Dholpur.
Schools as Hubs of Democracy
The Abhiyan spread its wings to 350 schools, impacting over 50,000 students from Classes 5 to 11. Through Baal Sansad (Youth Parliament) sessions, children—many from communities historically marred by conflict—engaged directly with the principles of democracy, governance, and civic responsibility. They debated, enacted, and questioned. Primary schoolchildren began reciting the Preamble during morning assemblies, articulating ideals like Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity with a clarity that belied their age.
Teachers, too, were empowered. Over 200 educators, especially Political Science teachers, received training aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, enabling them to make constitutional principles a living part of classroom discussions. Debates, quizzes, role-plays, and poster-making competitions enriched the learning experience, fostering critical thinking and civic engagement.
Beyond Classrooms: Communities in Action
The ChandraJyoti Abhiyan did not stop at the school gates. It reached into the heart of communities through Gram Sabhas and Child-Friendly Panchayat meetings, enabling students to witness and participate in grassroots democracy. Republic Day and Constitution Day were celebrated not just as ceremonial events, but as occasions to reflect on civic duties and constitutional ideals. A particularly innovative feature was the 'Constitution on the Wall" project—vibrant murals depicting constitutional articles on the walls of the Zila Parishad office. Guided tours by Somnath himself demystified complex constitutional provisions, making them accessible to even the youngest learners.
The movement culminated in a district-level competition on April 27, 2025, with 15 schools and over 150 students showcasing their knowledge. The winners were felicitated, and a ChandraJyoti Abhiyan booklet was released, capturing the journey and voices of those touched by this silent revolution.
From Books to Buildings: The Savidhan Ghar Vision
Building on this momentum, Nivrutti envisioned a new chapter: the Savidhan Ghar project. In a candid interview, he shared, 'During my field visits, I observed many unused government buildings—once functional, now lying idle. I asked myself, why not reimagine these spaces as vibrant centres of knowledge and civic awareness? That's how Savidhan Ghar was born—turning forgotten infrastructure into living platforms for constitutional learning and community empowerment."
Dholpur has identified 28 unused government buildings across 28 Gram Panchayats. These are being renovated into community libraries—spaces where civil services aspirants, avid readers, and community members can access newspapers, books on law and governance, and educational materials. But at their core, every Savidhan Ghar will focus on the Indian Constitution, reinforcing citizenship, democracy, and participation.
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Nivrutti's vision is not limited to physical renovation. 'My vision," he says, 'is to develop not just readers, but citizens—thoughtful, informed, and empowered individuals." To ensure sustainability, village-level community groups are being formed to manage these spaces, embedding a sense of ownership and pride.
The Five Strategic Pillars of ChandraJyoti
What makes ChandraJyoti so effective is its foundation in five strategic pillars—a framework that ensures the campaign is participatory, grounded, and scalable:
1. Community-Led and Ownership-Driven: Through extensive stakeholder consultations, local champions from education and Panchayati Raj institutions shaped the campaign's goals. An inclusive Steering Committee, with active representation from PRIs and teachers, ensures grassroots ownership and accountability.
2. Behavioural Change through the Five 'स' Approach: At the heart of ChandraJyoti is a structured journey from awareness to action-
सोच (Spark): Why should I care?
समझ (Reflect): How does this relate to me?
संकल्प (Commit): What will I do about it?
सक्रिय (Act & Share): I'm doing it—and others can see it.
समाक्रिष्ट (Embed): This is now part of who we are.
3. Spaces of Civic Learning: The campaign created multiple learning spaces-
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Schools for learning activities;
PRIs for participatory democracy in action;
Zila Parishad Office as a living lab where students witness governance firsthand.
4. Culture of Constitutional Citizenship: Dholpur is emerging as a model where democratic values are not just taught but lived daily. The Five 'स' framework and civic ecosystem model are now templates for replication in other districts, nurturing a culture of empathy, ethics, and participation.
5. Resilient Institutions, Informed Citizens: The Abhiyan strengthens trust between government and citizens, especially among youth. Public institutions are better equipped to foster critical thinking and civic values at scale.
ChandraJyoti: A Proof-of-Concept for Civic Renewal
ChandraJyoti is not just a district programme—it's a proof-of-concept for civic renewal:
Transferable Framework: The Five 'स' approach can be adapted to any thematic area or geography.
Departmental Convergence: Education, Panchayati Raj, and Administration working hand-in-hand.
Productisation: Replicable playbook, dashboards, and materials make scale feasible.
'Through ChandraJyoti," Nivrutti says with conviction, 'Dholpur won't just teach the Constitution—it will live it."
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Challenges and Reflections
Yet, this journey is not without challenges. A persistent lack of ownership in government buildings often leads to neglect and decay. Teachers, burdened by administrative work, sometimes fail to act as role models for civic engagement. Education, while imparting knowledge, often falls short of equipping the next generation with the skills and values needed to thrive in a democracy.
Nivrutti is candid about these realities. 'We need to reimagine the role of teachers as torchbearers of democracy, not just syllabus-finishers," he notes. He emphasises bridging the digital divide—a key element of the Savidhan Ghar model is its integration with the Digital Samvidhan Ghar platform, which will bring e-resources, e-libraries, and interactive modules to rural students.
'This is not just about buildings," he insists. 'It's about building citizens—digitally empowered, constitutionally aware, and community-focused."
A Beacon for the Nation
As Dholpur's children recite the Preamble and communities gather in Constitution-themed libraries, one is reminded of Nivrutti's closing reflection: 'In today's world, especially in rural India, access to credible information and learning spaces is still limited. If Savidhan Ghar can bridge that gap, even in a small way, then I believe we are sowing the seeds for a stronger, more participatory democracy. It's about building the citizen of tomorrow—starting today."