The Preamble to the Indian Constitution will decide the construction of a more progressive society. It can also be used in the process of finding common grounds in the “India vs. Bharat” debate.

Guiding Principles
The Preamble indicates the core values that must guide Indian society to be:

-Justice: Social, economic, and political justice are the basis. Thus, every man should get equal opportunities and access to resource utilization without discriminant birth, race, or religion-based.

-Liberty: The Preamble guarantees liberties of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. This bestows a society that is free to express itself and pursue aspirations based on no fear of persecution.

-Equality: The Preamble emphasizes equality of status and opportunity for all citizens, regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender. This principle is crucial for building an inclusive and equitable society.

-Fraternity: The Preamble promotes fraternity among all citizens, which requires a sense of unity and brotherhood. This fosters a sense of shared identity and collective responsibility.

The “India vs. Bharat” Debate:
-Reconciliation: The Preamble accepts that both “India” and “Bharat” are proper names for the country. That acceptance can act as a healing balm to bridge the gulf between the two camps of those who have a preference for one name over the other.

Focus on Shared Values: Concentrating on shared values enshrined in the Preamble, such as justice, liberty, and equality, can make the debate not only semantic but also a debate on the kind of society we wish to build.

Guiding Legislation and Policy: The Preamble shall guide all legislation and policies made by the government, ensuring the same are accordance with the ‘great principles’ of the Constitution, among which is the establishment of a just and fair society.

Essentially, the Preamble has a common vision for India. It’s the shared view which transcends language and cultural barriers. When the core values that are embodied in the Preamble are the core of focus, then there’s no question of “India vs. Bharat” anymore and we’ll get to a true inclusive, progressive nation.