Patriotism is easy; Is that why I’m patriotic?
7:49 AM Posted In January 2009 Edit This 0 Comments »It’s that time of the year again when flags are hoisted, speeches are made and discussions are triggered about being patriotic to our country. Yes, Republic day is around the corner. Let’s have a small introspective session of how patriotic we are towards our country. How many of you look forward for an Independence Day or Republic Day to plan a picnic or outing with your family? How many of you know Vande Mataram verbatim after hearing it blasted all over the place by A.R Rahman through his popular album? How many of you remembered the martyrs who shed every drop of their blood to ensure the freedom and independence we enjoy? Finally how many of you actually made it to the flag hoisting? Answers to these questions are enough to realize that we need to revive and redefine patriotism amongst us.
According to recent survey conducted by Nielsen India, eighty-nine per cent want to be reborn as an Indian. Fifty per cent of the people who were surveyed felt that the rich Indian culture was the most attractive factor for being proud to be an Indian. However the surveys show a steep decline of patriotism among our youth.
We all probably remember patriotism when there is an Indo-Pak cricket match and when terrorists bomb our cities taking innocent lives. We shed tears, organize grievance marches and light candles before India gate or Red fort. But we definitely forget it when we cast our vote in the elections, when we shamelessly throw garbage on the roads, when we bribe officials to get things done and yet so many times more…
Patriotism is meant to be observed twice in a year or as a substantial subject to hold never ending discussions. It is rather believed to be a formality, a formality of saluting the national flag and 52 seconds of frozen stature during the national anthem. Patriotism need not mean you should fire a bullet or two at your enemy soldiers nor it means shedding your blood or giving your life to be called a martyr. Small things and actions embedded with the idea of doing good to your fellow country men can be patriotism in true sense. It should not be an emotion to be taken out only when you see a National flag or view a terror attack live on your television screen. It should be a feeling that should be imbibed by us and put into action in our day to day lives. Patriotic emotions cannot be generated by a sudden windfall or hour long motivating session, it should be nurtured from the childhood right from the stage when a child learns to distinguish between orange, white and green. Our educational policies thus need to be reconsidered and reformed. More national awareness and respect should be embedded into the school curriculum. Someone has rightly said, “Patriotism is like a needle that joins and unites and not a scissor that cuts and divides”.
According to recent survey conducted by Nielsen India, eighty-nine per cent want to be reborn as an Indian. Fifty per cent of the people who were surveyed felt that the rich Indian culture was the most attractive factor for being proud to be an Indian. However the surveys show a steep decline of patriotism among our youth.
We all probably remember patriotism when there is an Indo-Pak cricket match and when terrorists bomb our cities taking innocent lives. We shed tears, organize grievance marches and light candles before India gate or Red fort. But we definitely forget it when we cast our vote in the elections, when we shamelessly throw garbage on the roads, when we bribe officials to get things done and yet so many times more…
Patriotism is meant to be observed twice in a year or as a substantial subject to hold never ending discussions. It is rather believed to be a formality, a formality of saluting the national flag and 52 seconds of frozen stature during the national anthem. Patriotism need not mean you should fire a bullet or two at your enemy soldiers nor it means shedding your blood or giving your life to be called a martyr. Small things and actions embedded with the idea of doing good to your fellow country men can be patriotism in true sense. It should not be an emotion to be taken out only when you see a National flag or view a terror attack live on your television screen. It should be a feeling that should be imbibed by us and put into action in our day to day lives. Patriotic emotions cannot be generated by a sudden windfall or hour long motivating session, it should be nurtured from the childhood right from the stage when a child learns to distinguish between orange, white and green. Our educational policies thus need to be reconsidered and reformed. More national awareness and respect should be embedded into the school curriculum. Someone has rightly said, “Patriotism is like a needle that joins and unites and not a scissor that cuts and divides”.
“Indian patriotism, to my mind, is forgetting the regional, cultural and ethnical barriers and unites under an umbrella called Bharat.”
Lt.Col V.M.Mahindran
“Patriotism is a great feeling. But, since today being an information age, it shouldn’t narrow our minds from becoming global citizens.”
Joseph Mathew, Veterinary Professor.
Neelima S.
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