✦ Class 12 English Prose · Bihar Board

Bharat is
My Home

Dr Zakir Husain

The first speech of Dr Zakir Husain as President of India (1967) — a pledge of loyalty to the totality of India's culture, a call for education as national purpose, and a reminder that the State must be a moral organisation, not merely an organisation of power.

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Dr Zakir Husain President of India · 1967–1969

The Author

Dr Zakir Husain (1897–1969)

Freedom fighter, eminent educationist, and the third President of India.

Dr Zakir Husain (1897–1969), born in Hyderabad, was one of our greatest freedom fighters as well as an eminent educationist. Dr Husain became the President of India in 1967. Earlier he had served as the Governor of Bihar.

Bharat is My Home is an extract from the speech he gave in 1967 after taking the oath as President. In his first speech as the President of India, Dr Zakir Husain pledges himself "to the service of the totality of India's culture".

Dr Husain looks upon Dr Radhakrishnan as his role-model. He praises Dr Radhakrishnan for bringing to the Presidency a mental equipment, a degree of erudition and a wealth of experience rarely to be found anywhere — and for never losing faith in the essential humanity of man.

The speech blends personal humility with a national vision. It asks every citizen to take up the dual work of self-development and social service, and it reminds us that the State should be a moral organisation, not merely an organisation of power.

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Full NameDr Zakir Husain

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Born1897, Hyderabad

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Died1969

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Became President1967 · Third President of India

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Earlier RoleGovernor of Bihar

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Speech"Bharat is My Home" (1967)

Quick Overview

Summary

Concise overview of the chapter.

Dr Zakir Husain delivered his first speech as President of India in 1967, shortly after taking the oath. He opens with deep humility, confessing that he is overwhelmed by the trust the people have placed in him. He pays warm tribute to his predecessor, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, praising his erudition, his pursuit of knowledge and truth, and his lifelong faith in the essential humanity of man.

Dr Husain then pledges loyalty to the Constitution of India — a constitution given by a free people to themselves for the first time in history. He describes India as "the young State of an ancient people" who have striven, through long millennia, to realise timeless values in their own peculiar way. He insists that the past is not dead and static but alive and dynamic, shaping our present and future.

Education, he declares, is the prime instrument of national purpose — the quality of education is inescapably involved in the quality of the nation. He pledges himself to the service of the totality of India's culture, irrespective of religion or language, caste or creed. His famous declaration — "The whole of Bharat is my home and its people are my family" — becomes the heart of the speech.

He speaks of work as having two aspects: work on oneself (moral development, ending in a "free moral personality") and work for society (collective progress). Both are mutually fruitful. He stresses that in India, power must be used only for moral purposes, following the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi. He ends with full faith in his people's energy and dedication.

Education is a prime instrument of national purpose and the quality of education is inescapably involved in the quality of the nation. — Dr Zakir Husain

The Text

Bharat is My Home

Dr Zakir Husain's first speech as President of India, 1967.

01 Overwhelmed by Trust

I must confess that I am overwhelmed by the trust my people have placed in me by electing me to the highest office in the land....

02 Dr Radhakrishnan's Legacy

Dr Radhakrishnan brought to the Presidency a mental equipment, a degree of erudition and wealth of experience rarely to be found anywhere. During a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and truth, he has done more than probably any other man to bring out and explain Indian philosophical thought and the oneness of all true spiritual values. He has never lost his faith in the essential humanity of man and he himself has never ceased to champion the right of all men to live in dignity and with justice.

03 Oath of Loyalty to the Constitution

I can only assure you that I enter this office in a spirit of prayerful humility and total dedication. I have just taken the oath of loyalty to the Constitution of India. It is the Constitution of a comparatively new State which its free citizens have, for the first time in history, given to themselves. It is the young State of an ancient people who, through the long millennia and through cooperation of diverse ethnic elements, have striven to realise timeless, absolute values in their own peculiar way. I pledge myself to the service of those values. For, though some concrete realisation of a value may become inadequate with the change of circumstance, the value remains eternally valid and presses for newer and fresher realisation. The past is not dead and static, it is alive and dynamic and is involved in determining the quality of our present and the prospects of our future.

04 Education and National Renewal

The process of its constant renewal is, indeed, the process of growth of national culture and national character. It is the business of education, as I see it, to minister this constant renewal; and I may be forgiven the presumption that my choice to this high office has mainly, if not entirely, been made on account of my long association with the education of my people. I maintain that education is a prime instrument of national purpose and that quality of education is inescapably involved in the quality of the nation.

05 "Bharat is My Home"

I, therefore, pledge myself to the loyalty of our past culture from wheresoever it may have come and by whomsoever it may have been contributed. I pledge myself to the service of the totality to my country's culture. I pledge my loyalty to my country, irrespective of religion or language; I pledge myself to work for its strength and progress and for the welfare of its people without distinctions of caste, colour or creed. The whole of Bharat is my home and its people are my family. The people have chosen to make me the head of this family for a certain time. It shall be my earnest endeavour to seek to make this home strong and beautiful, a worthy home for a great people engaged in the fascinating task of building up a just and prosperous and graceful life.

The whole of Bharat is my home and its people are my family. The people have chosen to make me the head of this family for a certain time. — Dr Zakir Husain

06 The Family is Big and Growing

The family is big and is constantly growing at a rather inconveniently fast pace. We shall, each one of us, have to participate unsparingly in building its new life, each in his own way. For sheer size the tasks ahead of us are so demanding that no one can afford to sit back and just watch or let frustration become endemic in our country. The situation demands of us work, work and more work, silent and sincere work, solid and steady reconstruction of the whole material and cultural life of our people.

07 The Two Aspects of Work

This work, as I see it, has two aspects: work on one's self and work for the society around. They are mutually fruitful aspects of work. The work on one's self is to follow the urge towards moral development as a free person and under self-imposed discipline, which alone can render that development possible. Its end-product is a free moral personality. We can neglect the end-product only at our peril. This end-product cannot sustain itself without seeking and exercising itself to bring about the approximation of the society to which it is privileged to serve to a better, a juster and a more graceful way of life. The individual cannot grow in full perfection without a corresponding advance of the collective social existence. Let us resolve to get whole-heartedly engaged in these two aspects of work — individual and social.

08 The State as a Moral Organisation

This dual effort will give to the life of our State a special flavour. For the State to us will not be just an organisation of power but a moral organisation. It is a part of national temperament and inheritance from the great leader of our liberation movement, Mahatma Gandhi, that power should be used only for moral purposes. The peace of the strong is what we shall dedicate ourselves to work for.

09 Faith in the People

I have full faith in my people that they will bring forth the energy requisite for the satisfactory performance of this dual task. It shall be my privilege to contribute my share to this enchanting enterprise.

Quick Revision

Key Themes — Bharat is My Home

Six ideas that shape Dr Zakir Husain's presidential address.

🇮🇳 Bharat as Home and Family

The whole of Bharat is the speaker's home and its people are his family. He is only the head of this family "for a certain time" — a servant of the people, not their master.

📚 Education as National Purpose

Education is a prime instrument of national purpose. Its business is to minister the constant renewal of national culture and national character. The quality of education is inescapably involved in the quality of the nation.

⏳ The Living Past

"The past is not dead and static, it is alive and dynamic." Values may need newer and fresher realisation, but they remain eternally valid and shape our present and future.

🤝 Two Aspects of Work

Work on one's self and work for society around are mutually fruitful. The individual cannot grow in full perfection without a corresponding advance of collective social existence.

⚖️ A Moral State

The State should not be just an organisation of power but a moral organisation. Inherited from Mahatma Gandhi, power should be used only for moral purposes — for "the peace of the strong".

🕊️ Unity Without Distinctions

Loyalty to the country is pledged irrespective of religion or language. Welfare is for all people without distinctions of caste, colour or creed — the essence of unity in diversity.

Assessment

Test Your Understanding

Multiple choice · Fill in the blanks · Short answer. Everything is drawn from the text above.

🧠 Part A — Multiple Choice

Choose the best answer for each question. Click Check Answers at the end to see your score.

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✏️ Part B — Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence on the basis of the text. Type your answer, then click Check Answers.

Score: — / 0

📝 Part C — Short Answer Questions

Think through your answer first, then click Show Model Answer to compare.

Textbook Exercises

Complete Exercise Bank

All questions from the Bihar Board Class 12 English Prose textbook — with answers and model responses.

A. Work in Small Groups and Discuss

Discuss the following in small groups or pairs.

Charity begins at home.
The entire world is a family.
Individuals and family are interdependent.

B.1.1 Complete the Sentences

Complete the following sentences on the basis of the lesson. Click to reveal the answer.

aDr Radhakrishnan never lost his faith in ______________________.

the essential humanity of man.

bDr Radhakrishnan always championed ______________________.

the right of all men to live in dignity and with justice.

cDr Zakir Husain entered the office of the President in a spirit of ______________________.

prayerful humility and total dedication.

dAccording to Dr Zakir Husain, the value remains ______________________.

eternally valid and presses for newer and fresher realisation.

eAccording to Dr Zakir Husain, education is ______________________.

a prime instrument of national purpose.

B.1.2 Answer the Following Questions Briefly

Read each question, think of your answer, then reveal the model response.

1What did Dr Radhakrishnan bring to the Presidency?

Dr Radhakrishnan brought to the Presidency a mental equipment, a degree of erudition and a wealth of experience rarely to be found anywhere. During a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and truth, he did more than probably any other man to bring out and explain Indian philosophical thought and the oneness of all true spiritual values.

2What oath did Dr Zakir Husain take?

Dr Zakir Husain took the oath of loyalty to the Constitution of India — the Constitution of a comparatively new State which its free citizens had, for the first time in history, given to themselves.

3What is the business of education?

According to Dr Zakir Husain, the business of education is to minister the constant renewal of national culture and national character. Education is a prime instrument of national purpose, and the quality of education is inescapably involved in the quality of the nation.

4What did Dr Zakir Husain pledge himself to?

Dr Zakir Husain pledged himself to the loyalty of our past culture from wheresoever it may have come and by whomsoever it may have been contributed. He pledged himself to the service of the totality of his country's culture, and to work for its strength and progress and for the welfare of its people without distinctions of caste, colour or creed.

5What does 'work on one's self' mean? What is its end-product?

'Work on one's self' means following the urge towards moral development as a free person and under self-imposed discipline. Its end-product is a free moral personality. This end-product cannot sustain itself without seeking to bring society to a better, juster and more graceful way of life.

6What shall we dedicate ourselves to?

We shall dedicate ourselves to work for 'the peace of the strong'. Dr Zakir Husain says the State to us will not be just an organisation of power but a moral organisation, and power should be used only for moral purposes.

7When was Dr Zakir Husain born?

Dr Zakir Husain was born in 1897 in Hyderabad.

8How long did Dr Zakir Husain live?

Dr Zakir Husain lived from 1897 to 1969 — a span of 72 years.

9On what occasion did Dr Zakir Husain deliver this speech?

He delivered this speech in 1967, after taking the oath as the President of India. It was his first speech as President.

10Why does Dr Zakir Husain call India 'the young State of an ancient people'?

India is a 'young State' because it is a comparatively new State whose free citizens gave themselves a Constitution for the first time in history. It is the State of 'an ancient people' because Indians, through the long millennia and through cooperation of diverse ethnic elements, have striven to realise timeless, absolute values in their own peculiar way.

C.1 Long Answer Questions

Prepare detailed answers. Click to reveal model responses.

1'This work, as I see it, has two aspects.' What are the 'two aspects of works'? Explain in your own words.

The two aspects of work are: (1) work on one's self, and (2) work for the society around. Work on one's self means following the urge towards moral development as a free person under self-imposed discipline — its end-product is a free moral personality. Work for society means bringing the society we serve closer to a better, juster and more graceful way of life. They are mutually fruitful: the individual cannot grow in full perfection without a corresponding advance of the collective social existence.

2What did Dr Zakir Husain say about material and cultural life, individual and social development, giving a special flavour to India?

Dr Zakir Husain said that we need "solid and steady reconstruction of the whole material and cultural life of our people." This dual effort — individual and social development — will give to the life of our State a special flavour. The State to us will not be just an organisation of power but a moral organisation. Power should be used only for moral purposes, an inheritance from Mahatma Gandhi. The peace of the strong is what we shall dedicate ourselves to work for.

3'Power should be used only for moral purposes.' Explain.

Dr Zakir Husain says the State should not be just an organisation of power but a moral organisation. This, he says, is part of our national temperament and an inheritance from Mahatma Gandhi, the great leader of our liberation movement. Power used only for moral purposes means authority exercised for justice, dignity and the welfare of all — not for domination, self-interest or oppression. The goal is 'the peace of the strong'.

4'The past is not dead and static.' How does Zakir Husain emphasise the significance of past?

Dr Zakir Husain says the past is alive and dynamic, and is involved in determining the quality of our present and the prospects of our future. Though a concrete realisation of a value may become inadequate with changed circumstances, the value itself remains eternally valid and presses for newer and fresher realisation. The constant renewal of these values is the process of growth of national culture and national character.

5What does Zakir Husain exhort us to do to build the new life of the nation?

Zakir Husain exhorts us to participate unsparingly in building the new life of the nation, each in his own way. He asks for "work, work and more work, silent and sincere work, solid and steady reconstruction of the whole material and cultural life of our people." We must engage whole-heartedly in the two aspects of work — individual and social — and dedicate ourselves to the peace of the strong.

6In what context does Dr Zakir Husain say "Bharat is my home"?

Dr Zakir Husain says this while pledging himself to the service of the totality of India's culture and to work for the welfare of its people without distinctions of caste, colour or creed. He says: 'The whole of Bharat is my home and its people are my family. The people have chosen to make me the head of this family for a certain time.' He promises to make this home strong and beautiful — a worthy home for a great people building a just, prosperous and graceful life.

C.2 Group Discussion

Discuss the following in groups or pairs.

Living in a big family has more merits than demerits.
Quality of education shapes the quality of nation.
It is neither scientific progress nor material prosperity but its people with strong character that make a nation great and strong.

C.3 Composition

Write in about 100–150 words on each of the following.

Write a summary of Dr Zakir Husain's speech in about 150 words.
Write a short essay in about 150 words on 'Unity in diversity'.
Write a speech to be delivered on Teachers' Day justifying the celebration of Dr Radhakrishnan's birthday as Teachers' Day.
You have been elected as the President of your school's Student Council. Make a diary entry about changes you propose to introduce for the betterment of your school.

D.1 Dictionary Use

Ex 1Correct the spelling of the following words: confes, overwhelmed, erudition, prayerful, prejumption, inescapably.

Corrected spellings:
confess · overwhelmed · erudition · prayerful · presumption · inescapably

Ex 2Look up a dictionary and write two meanings of the following words — the one in which it is used in the lesson and the other which is more common: brought, degree, enter, dead, renewal.

brought: (in lesson) past tense of "bring", meaning to carry or convey to a place; (common) to cause to happen or to persuade.

degree: (in lesson) an academic rank or a level of something; (common) a unit of measurement of temperature or angle.

enter: (in lesson) to come into a place or office; (common) to write data into a computer.

dead: (in lesson) no longer alive or no longer active; (common) complete or absolute (e.g., "dead silence").

renewal: (in lesson) the act of making something new again; (common) the extension of a licence, subscription or contract.

D.2 Word-formation

Point out which words the following are derived from.

arenewal

Derived from the adjective new — with the prefix re- and the suffix -al.

bmyself

Derived from my + self.

ctotality

Derived from the adjective total — with the suffix -ity.

dconstantly

Derived from the adjective constant — with the suffix -ly.

ebuilding

Derived from the verb build — with the suffix -ing.

D.3 Word-meaning

Ex 1Match the words in Column A with their meanings in Column B: requisite, peril, presumption, pledge, ethnic.

requisite → necessary
peril → threat
presumption → opinion
pledge → promise
ethnic → racial

Ex 2Fill in the blanks with suitable adjectives: new, special, dual, long, prayerful.
a) Dr Zakir Husain entered the office in a spirit of ____ humility.
b) It is a ____ constitution of a ____ State.
c) The choice of this office has been made due to ____ association.
d) This effort will give to the life of our state a ____ flavour.

a) prayerful
b) new (×2)
c) long
d) special

D.4 Phrases

Find the sentences in the lesson where these phrases are used, then use them in sentences of your own.

apursuit of

In the lesson: "During a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and truth…"

My sentence: She spent her whole life in the pursuit of excellence in music.

bbring to

In the lesson: "Dr Radhakrishnan brought to the Presidency a mental equipment…"

My sentence: The new teacher brought to the classroom a fresh energy and many new ideas.

capproximation of

In the lesson: "…to bring about the approximation of the society to which it is privileged to serve…"

My sentence: The artist's painting is a close approximation of the original scene.

dbring forth

In the lesson: "I have full faith in my people that they will bring forth the energy requisite…"

My sentence: The difficult times brought forth the best qualities in the community.

E. Grammar — Modal Auxiliaries

Find the other modal auxiliaries used in the lesson and explain their specific meanings.

QIdentify the modal auxiliaries used in the lesson and their specific meanings.

must — expresses obligation or strong necessity ("I must confess…").
can — expresses ability or possibility ("I can only assure you…").
should — expresses duty or moral obligation ("power should be used only for moral purposes").
shall — expresses determination or future intention ("we shall dedicate ourselves…").
will — expresses future certainty or willingness ("the State to us will not be just an organisation of power…").
may — expresses possibility or permission ("I may be forgiven the presumption…").
cannot — expresses impossibility or inability ("cannot sustain itself without seeking…").

F. Activity

Dr Zakir Husain looks upon Dr Radhakrishnan as his role-model. Interview five well-known persons in your locality and find out:

Who did they look upon as their role-model?
Why did they look upon someone as their role-model?