Beyond Posters and Promises

In a democracy governed by law, the effectiveness of governance is not measured by how many awareness weeks are celebrated or how many posters are distributed. It is measured by how faithfully the law of the land is implemented in its letter and spirit. The law, after all, is not meant to be a decorative tool for publicity. It is the living pulse of justice and accountability — a guiding force to ensure fairness, discipline, and integrity in public life.

Every year, government departments across the country organize awareness campaigns on various themes — anti-corruption week, vigilance awareness week, legal awareness camps, cleanliness drives, and more. The intentions behind these initiatives may be good, but too often, they end up being limited to ceremonial functions, slogans, and publicity exercises. Posters are printed, banners are displayed, pamphlets are distributed, and speeches are made — yet, after a few days, the spirit behind these programs fades away. The real essence of law — its duty to uphold justice and discipline — is forgotten until the next “week” arrives.

The law of the land is not meant to be seasonal. It demands daily respect, continuous enforcement, and sincere practice. It is the duty of every official, from the lowest rank to the highest office, to ensure that the laws made for public welfare are implemented without fear, favour, or delay. Conducting events merely for visibility, without strengthening institutional responsibility, is not only meaningless but also wasteful of public resources. The government exchequer bears the cost of these awareness programs — funds that could instead be used to improve real delivery mechanisms, infrastructure, and public services.

True awareness is not created by words alone. It is built through action — by demonstrating honesty, transparency, and accountability at every level of governance. When officials discharge their duties sincerely, when complaints are addressed fairly, and when rules are applied equally to all, people automatically become aware and confident in the system. That is the kind of awareness that needs no posters or publicity — because it is visible in practice.

The need of the hour is not just to talk about integrity, but to live it. Every officer, employee, and citizen has a role in this moral chain. Departments must not only issue circulars or conduct symbolic programs, but also review how their laws and schemes are actually working on the ground. Are the intended beneficiaries receiving justice and service on time? Are public grievances being heard? Are corrupt practices being identified and stopped? These are the real indicators of awareness and good governance.

When the law is implemented effectively, it strengthens public faith. It builds a culture of trust and discipline, and most importantly, it upholds the dignity of governance itself. No campaign can achieve that unless the machinery of the State — administrative, executive, and judicial — works together with a sense of duty and conscience.

It is equally important for departments to fix clear accountability. Many lapses occur not because of lack of law, but because of weak follow-up and poor monitoring. Awareness campaigns should therefore focus more on internal evaluation — identifying loopholes, simplifying procedures, and removing corruption at every level — rather than on outward displays of publicity. Ethical governance begins from within.

Let us remember that transparency cannot be printed on a poster; it must be practiced in office rooms and field operations. Integrity cannot be advertised in a slogan; it must be reflected in decisions and actions. And justice cannot be promised in speeches; it must be delivered where it matters — to the common citizen.

The real success of law lies not in how loudly we speak about it, but in how silently we serve it. If every department and every official begins to honour their legal duties with sincerity, the need for awareness weeks will automatically diminish — because awareness will then live in our daily work, not just in our words.

Let us, therefore, move beyond posters and promises, and work to make the law of the land a living force — one that protects, guides, and uplifts every citizen, every single day.

Dr. Pir Naseer Ahmad, Adv.High Court, Srinagar