My personal constitution<br/>

India's Constitution was adopted on Republic Day, January 26, 1950, formalising the guidelines for the nation. On the eve of our 59th Republic Day, we talk to celebrities from all walks of life about their personal constitutions, which they hold dear and inviolable.
Their personal values assume import because as management guru Stephen Covey says: "The most effective way to begin with the end in mind is to develop a mission statement, one that focuses what you want to be in terms of character ..."

'I live my life topped with a dollop of humour.'
Farah Khan, choreographer-director
My sense of humour stops me from taking everything too seriously. I realise that success and failure are a part of life. Thankfully, I also have a high tolerance level.
I work hard; no resting on laurels.
When I choreographed Desi girl recently, I put in as much effort as I did during Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 10 years ago. I have spent more than a decade in the film industry but I still do my rehearsals, sit with the crew and get a feel of the set beforehand. In fact, if anything, I push myself harder today because I have to keep up with the times. I do not take my success seriously but neither do I take it for granted.
What goes around, comes around.
You have to emanate positive vibes to the world. And positivity will come back to you. People who do not follow principles in life lose their success as easily as they acquire it. To be at the top of your profession for years, you need a work ethic.
I try to be detached from my work.
Now that I have a husband and three babies, detachment comes easier to me. At the end of the day, you realise that it's not the awards or the number of autographs that you sign that matters; it's important to have a happy family life and home.u00a0
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'I don't follow rituals, but form my own point of view.'
Prasoon Joshi, adman-writer-lyricist
I was born into a staunch Hindu family. I'm not a ritualistic person. In fact, as an individual, I hate rituals. I form my own point of view.
I adhere to rules ... but without forsaking the human touch.
I believe in following rules, albeit after adding a human touch to them. For instance, fine an office worker if he is late, but if he is late because he has met with an accident and is limping and bleeding, don't shout at him. Offer him first aid. There is a word in Sanskrit 'vivek' which comes into play, here.
I try to give a break to talent, even if it is from an unconventional source.
In advertising, we generally hire from management and advertising colleges; but at times, I have attended a college function and have read banners and posters that have blown my mind. In such instances, I trace the writer down and offer him a job.

'I follow my heart.'
Chitrangada Singh, Actor
A definite set of values dominate my life. I have to do things that make me happy. I do what I feel is right, not what one is 'supposed' to do. A few days ago, I picked up a fight because a man was asking for a parking fee for a parking lot which I have been using for ages. I reasoned with him that it was private property and he could not arbitrarily charge a fee.
Money is not the be-all and end-all of my life.
Even where making career decisions is concerned, I think with my heart and not the mind. Money is not the all-important factor.u00a0
Being a good citizen and not bribing policemen, is important to me.
I do not bribe people, especially policemen, and never will. I also save electricity at every given instance and I don't litter. Abroad, they value their country and take care of it; we should not abuse our country either. When people litter, I request them to refrain from doing so in the future. Many a times, I have actually handed them a plastic bag in which they can throw the refuse (laughs).

'Honesty at all costs even if I have to pay a price for it.'
Anu Mallik, music composer, TV personality
I had very humble beginnings; but my father imbibed a sense of honesty in me. I know that sometimes you have to pay a heavy price for being honest. After Indian Idol, people assumed that Anu is rude. But why don't people realise that Anu is being honest? In my house, my wife and the children are allowed to tell the truth. If I claim that the recording was superb but they don't agree, they tell me so. If a producer wants me to compose for a bad film, I tell him the truth about his film, even if I pay the price by losing the assignment. I'm happy that I can show them the mirror.
Pay back people for all the love I have got.
I do shows for people who cannot afford my price, I help needy patients in hospitals. Maybe I'm following a spiritual path. I like to do community service. But I don't like to blow my trumpet about these things or get my pictures clicked that's a very passu00e9 way to behave.u00a0
I ignore brickbats; and follow my calling in life.
If you look at my 28 years in the film industry, people have given me bouquets, but some have been pretty brash with me. However, my strong belief in myself keeps me going. God has ordered me to compose music, and that is my calling.u00a0
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'I adapt to people and circumstances.'u00a0
Dino Morea, actor
I am a people's person; I completely adapt to others; and to any situation I find myself in.u00a0
Kal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab.
I do not wait for tomorrow to get things done. I have a motto: Everybody can dream; and we can all can fulfill our dreams ... but take the first step! You are not going to get anywhere just by dreaming. Make the most of all opportunities.u00a0
I listen rather than talk.
I learn a lot by listening to people. Try it.u00a0
Set examples, if I can.
I tell youngsters to drive safely. I plant trees in my area to help the environment.

'I believe in freedom of expression, freedom to follow your own religion and the freedom to ask.'
Prahlad Kakkad, adman
These are the basic components of the Right to live. Unfortunately, freedom of economic oppression, and freedom from poverty is all notional.u00a0
I believe in fighting for what you believe in.
I have simple dos and don'ts in life that I hope to pass on to my kids. I feel you must believe in what you think is right; and even if society or law think you are wrong, you must fight for it. Because if you can't fight for your beliefs, it's not worth a khoti chavanni. Don't expect the government or other people to fight your battle. The battle between right and wrong is a perennial personal battle. But one should also ensure that one's right does not invade someone else's space.u00a0
I protest at the breaking of law.
As a citizen, I find it unacceptable if the Government does not react to the breaking of law, regardless of who has done it; and what the consequences are. Mobocracy cannot take over.u00a0
I believe in debate.
My values are based partly on my upbringing we did not have an autocratic system where your father or mother's word was final. In my house, everyone had their own opinion; which did not necessarily mean they were right. But because of the debate, we all also knew the argument from the opposite side.

'I am always law-abiding.'
Anupam Kher, actor
When we are on foreign shores, we stand in queues, we don't spit on the road, we don't litter. Why can't we implement these just as strongly here?u00a0
I don't do films which exploit children or have double meaning dialogue.
As an actor, I'm punctual, disciplined and I know my job. I learn my lines beforehand. I don't do films that exploit children. I also steer clear of double-meaning dialogue ... I have not been able to do that in a couple of films and I regret it.u00a0
Discipline is a must.
I run an acting school where I teach students discipline as well as acting. Because professionalism and discipline go hand in hand.u00a0
I believe in goodness...
There is much more to life than acting and cinema. When this truth dawns on you, it enriches you as a person. I have opened the Anupam Kher Foundation, which has started a teaching initiative called School Of Life because of my innate belief that children are the future pillars of our society.

'My actions should not cause inadvertent harm.'
Jitish Kallat, painter
Life is too short to let negative thoughts or actions invade one's being; I try and insulate myself from negativity as much as possible. Hopefully, that translates into positivism.
I don't let anyone's opinion dictate the basic values of my life My happiness must emanate from deep within. I try not to take things too seriously.
I try to give back to my field.
I always believe that no individual can conduct one's career with a mere "take away" bag. Giving back could be with knowledge, creation or just by remaining an active voice to stimulate the scene. I write on the arts and remain a vigilant observer of the scene. I'm also involved in roles of advocacy and outreach; for example I sit on the board of an arts funding organisation, India Foundation of Arts, and on the culture committee of FICCI.u00a0
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'Family takes prime place.'
Sunil Shetty, actor
I cherish the fact that I still live with my parents. Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Baisakhi, all are celebrated with equal joy. My family is a statement of community living and global intercommunication.u00a0
I support the cause of the girl child.
Education is a must; I support the cause of the girl child. When I see my daughter benefit from the best education, it is a privilege.u00a0
Religion is believing in what I do
Rather than blindly follow beliefs, I feel that one good deed speaks more than anything else.u00a0
Work is worship.
The more I give it, the more it gives back. I respect my producers' trust and investment in me; so I make sure I give them my best.