"The Constitution of India is the longest written Constitution in the world."

For most Indians, this is likely the first fact about the Constitution that they learned in school. Then came the Preamble - the words of which were recited rhythmically during civics lessons, but rarely discussed in any depth.

The Constitution has often been seen as an unapproachable, official document wielded only in courts or in the intimidating halls of Parliament. And school curricula has done precious little to change that impression, especially among younger kids.

One associate professor at OP Jindal Global University is attempting to change that, but with a twist.

Sakshi Vijay decided to teach our citizens of tomorrow about the Constitution of India. Her book titled The Great Book of Rules of India: Our Constitution for Toddlers and Young Curious Minds, with illustrations by Harsha Surekha, brings the Constitution to the playground. In the book, she explains the key concepts of the great document to this demographic using analogies like running races, sharing birthday cakes and buying ice-cream.

A trained mediator, educator and lover of the Constitution and all that it promises, Vijay spoke to Bar & Bench's Giti Pratap about capturing bright young minds, simplifying constitutional principles, gaps in school curricula and more.

Edited excerpts follow.

Giti: What prompted you to write this book?

Sakshi: I have a five-year-old son and like all five-year-olds, he's curious. At OP Jindal Global University, we have India's first Constitution Museum. I took him there this February and he enjoyed it. It's a lovely museum and I recommend it to everybody - adults, children, five-year-olds, 50-year-olds, everybody's going to love it. It's immersive and informative. That night, when he came back home, we discussed something unusual as a bedtime story. We talked about the Constitution. As a lawyer and a mother, I wanted him to know it as accurately as possible. But given his age, I had to simplify it and oversimplify it...If I told him India is a democracy, he would ask me what democracy is. And then I tried it on some other children to check whether the message is going across. And these kids are so smart. Five-year-olds are able to understand these concepts and so much more. So that was the genesis.

Giti: In the book, you touch on many concepts such as democracy, equality, fundamental duties and without naming it, even affirmative action, and the right to freedom of religion and speech. In your experience, how early can kids be taught about these concepts and how do you level it up as they age? 

Sakshi: I went through a lot of books before deciding to write this. I was sure somebody would have written a book for children. There is a book by Justice Leila Seth which is for kids aged 10 and above. But for these little ones, there was nothing. After going through children's books, you understand that children are able to understand important concepts. For example, an Akbar-Birbal story conveys the concept of fairness. So many of our grandmothers' tales, so many religious books, without naming any particular religion, talk about similar concepts. So the kids are already exposed to these ideals. And all that was required was to put it in the framework of the Constitution for them to know that it's not just folk tales, this is also part of what the country has as rules.

As for the second part of the question, I am yet to know. I'm going to a lot of schools and doing readings of the book. The response from children is different based on the grade they are in. So I think the more I do that, I will understand better their level of understanding.

For example, affirmative action in this book is explained through an ambulance which can cross the red light. And then a student I spoke to asked, but can they go through a toll gate as well? Now there is a more complex question that comes in.

Giti: Do you think schools currently are doing enough to teach children about the Constitution and Indian laws?

Sakshi: People in my age group who grew up in the late 80s or 90s were taught civics as a subject. Civics was that part which was hated by all the children. It was the part where you would have to mug up how many constituencies are there in India, how long is our Constitution, how many articles there are etc. But having learned so much, I did not know what the Constitution actually said. So the information was useless for me, except for a question in GK class perhaps. And now my son is in an IB school where they say the education is very experiential, which is what even progressive CBSE schools are doing now.

I think the problem is deeper because they don't have a very firm syllabus for such young ones and there is also no impetus to have it. So I think the idea of the book can also develop this conversation. Why just lawyers? Why make the Constitution so exclusive? It can be something that everybody speaks about if it's a part of the school syllabus. They can have one day, perhaps, to have a book reading. Most schools now have reading weeks and library weeks. It would be fair to have one version of the Constitution there for children that's accessible to them, that is written for their age.

I don't think the schools for now are preparing children or have any discourse around the Constitution. Even till grade five, they don't. It's only the parents who are more conscious who talk to their children about this.

Giti: Do you think it should be mandatory to include lessons on the Constitution in school curricula? How can we keep it interesting for kids?

Sakshi: We need to tell them how relevant it is in their everyday lives. For example, my son now thinks that he's a good citizen because he switches off lights and fans. So he feels like a responsible young citizen. There's a pledge in the book - he repeats that and it helps him. So make them feel involved, make them feel that they are responsible for the Constitution. And as they grow up, this is the document that they will love and the document which will love them back. That's one way to make them feel involved - exposure, that too in an experiential way. Instead of asking them to learn how many rights there are, or the words of the Preamble, ask them to apply it in everyday situations and maybe have a workbook for it.

With right to equality, there is a common picture of three kids of different heights that explains equal rights for equals. Children can understand such things. Even if not in terms of height, they know the concept of inclusivity, be it through disabled kids or seeing that other kids are not as privileged as them. This is my very small step to democratise the Constitution. There are some lawyers who are getting copies of the books for all the government schools in their home constituencies.

Perhaps ripples will be formed this way and the message will spread and maybe it will go to schools via the NCERT taking an institutional step. And I hope that happens someday, because the kids need to know. But for now, I think the idea is to organically spread this far and wide to children across all demographics.

Giti: How can parents and teachers fill the gap in curricula? What are some challenges they might face and how can they approach it?

Sakshi: One thing is to make it into small activities. One book that I read is about how to explain money to children which says to give them a choice. For example, we can go to the park and play or go to the mall. Then it gives them feel like they're making a choice instead of making them fearful that we don't have money. So I am thinking of making such small activities that can be added to the book.

There are some other things that can be done in everyday life. One thing that I grew up with - and I have no shame in admitting this - was my parents, despite the best they were doing, had a separate plate and a glass for domestic helpers. A small step, for example, just to show equality would be to get rid of that in your house. Because children, no matter what you do, only learn by example. They can read whatever books you give them, but as long as parents don't practice equality, inclusivity, all of this in their everyday life, it's very difficult for children to actually learn them. So step one is definitely reading and letting them know of the concepts. But step two is also practicing it in their everyday life.

Giti: What is next for you?

Sakshi: I am not at the moment planning on writing another book. I want to grow this book, get constructive feedback and get some outreach. I'm learning so much. It's something to author a book. And that's just the first step.

And of course, I am also teaching 18 to 22 year olds who are much more difficult to impress. So a lot of energy goes there as well. But this has been my passion - to creatively present law to those who are outside the boundaries of law.

You can purchase the book via Amazon at this link.