Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
The content reflects on the meaning of patriotism, illustrating the deep emotional connections individuals have with their homeland. Murthy, deeply moved by the national flag, shows a sense of pride and responsibility towards the nation. Each person’s bond with their land, akin to familial love, emphasizes that a country is defined by its people. Patriotism involves contributions towards national welfare and respect for laws, differing from jingoism, which can provoke conflict. Ultimately, true patriotism thrives in the heart.
Standing before a tall flag mast and watching the gracefully fluttering tricolour atop, Murthy was amazed with horripilation. His eyes were brimmed, and his body was shivering with excitement. The tricolour is not only an insignia of the nation but is the pride of every national. Fluttering tricolour instils a sense of self-esteem and affinity with the nation.
One loves one’s house for several reasons, but the prime importance is emotion. They remember their days when it was being constructed and how. Likewise, some feel attached to and love their ancestral house because of their emotional bonding with that. Remembrance of their childhood and the playful days they have had in that house are the forces that bind them with the house.
A farmer feels attached to his land, for he considers the piece of land not a mere land, but his mother. Like a mother, the piece of land nourishes with good food. It provides the best quality of juicy fruits and allows his cattle to sustain, which gives milk, butter, clarified butter (Ghee) and many more nutritious things to make him, his family and his compatriots healthy and strong. In today’s time, when land is considered wherewithal, most of us still attach a great deal of sentiment to it. For the majority of us, rivers, land and other physical formations are not only the abode of Gods and Goddesses, but some are Goddesses themselves like Ganga Ji and earth (Dharti Maa). Almost every important river is believed to be an incarnation of Goddesses in our nation.
A person living in the frigid environmental zone of the earth, braving sub-zero degrees ambient temperature in an Igloo. Despite hardships, he loves his land and does not want to leave his place even if lured by many attractive things that ease his life. By the same token, a person living in an arid zone where the temperature hovers around 50 degrees or so will not leave his land. It is not merely resources, facilities, or ease of living but, in the majority of cases, because of the love of the land they belong to.
A country is not composed of rivers, mountains and its physical entities but it is its people who make it a country. It seems cliché but is a strong expression of a country. In today’s world, distances have constricted and everyone is connected. Thanks to the fast development of advanced technology. Some argue that the boundaries between countries have no meaning in such a scenario. It sounds logical but is a rhetorical thought.
Can any one of us like the idea of abolishing families? Well, someone will, but will it be a possible idea? Except for those who ostensibly like such a situation for obvious reasons, most of us would answer it negatively. Family Is a conglomerate of closely linked people having a common or same filial bond. So are the countries. People of the same race, ethnicity, customs and cultures live together in a set of particular environments in a given area protected by a border and form a country. The borders are demarcated by border pillars or natural boundaries made by ridges of hills or meandering rivers. The idea of a country-less society is akin to a society without family and its bonds. It is neither possible nor acceptable the world over.
One loves the country where he lives, earns his livelihood, finds shelter and the company of a community. It can be argued that those who migrate to a foreign country get the same benefits. Here, still, the situation is different. The migrants do not always get the advantage. They have to struggle a lot to prove their worth and loyalty towards the country of migration. It is noteworthy that migration takes place from less advanced and relatively less privileged countries to highly developed and advanced countries. The problem of illegal migrants is getting bigger and more notorious. Most countries face this nuisance.
Love for the country is patriotism. It is an intense feeling of serving the nation by its citizens. It is reciprocal and gives pleasure in return for doing something for the country. An organic question would be what a person should do for the country. The answer is not difficult to give. Can a person ask what to do for his family or should one ask? Obviously, the answer would be negative.
It is the feeling of responsibility. Every one of us is responsible for the welfare and happiness of one’s family, and so is every individual citizen of a country. A family needs resources and money to survive and for successful running. It is fulfilled by a kitty contributed by every earning member of the family. Likewise, a country needs money to run. The more money the more prosperity. Like in a family, money in a country comes from taxes, levies, fines, interests and the like. It is our responsibility to pay taxes on time. This is why every taxpayer is a nation-builder. It gives a sense of self-satisfaction and elevation to each one of us.
The law of the land is yet another thing that a nation has to run its society and people harmoniously. A peaceful and orderly nation wants and observes that the people should feel free, independent and secure. Crime, acts of sabotage, terrorism, and subversion is a big no. No civilized society can allow lawlessness and mayhem. It is the duty of every citizen to abide by the law and help the organization to eradicate crime. Patriot strives to make a positive contribution in this regard.
In the summer of 1999, a cowherd informed the army about the mischievous activities on the peaks of Kargil in Laddakh. The information was vital and crucial for the nation. It exposed Pakistan and its mischievous intrusion. The action was taken by force to push the enemy back. Initially, the enemy country insisted that the intruders were “Jehadi”, but as the operation progressed, it became clear that the intruders were army regulars.
People are the sensory organs of a nation. The act of the cowherd was a big contribution to save the nation. The rough mountain terrain, marshy areas, and hot, simmering deserts are difficult to venture into, but the brave soldiers keep a constant vigil on the borders. Small inputs like the one given by the cowherd are vital to combat the enemies or sponsored terrorists trying to infiltrate.
Our Bravehearts who stand guard at the frontiers, braving harsh weather and treacherous enemies, are protecting the nation against intruders and enemies. They unhesitatingly lay their lives in the Supreme sacrifice showing indomitable valour and courage. Their sacrifice is priceless. Each one of us can repay our share by respecting and saluting the Bravehearts. They are our assets.
Asked about his feelings, Murthy, the protagonist of this narration, said that he loves his beloved country very much the way it is. Murthy’s emotions resonate with the country and compatriots. We are not absolute. Being a human being, we have strengths and weaknesses. Those who are developed and advanced are because of certain factors that are not in the scope of this discourse. The high GDP and per capita income show the level of affluence. Nevertheless, the values, varied but united cultures, traditions, vibrant lifestyle, and celebrations are some of a few aspects my country leads them all, Murthy argues.
Murthy has a point. Those who aspire for a foreign job, settle in a foreign country and feel different in being called an NRI (Non-Resident Indians) or vying for citizenship of the country of migration show their ignorance. They get a little more money, but they have to make significant compromises. In times of distress, it is often their country that helps them overcome difficult situations. Recent Operation Ganga was a live example of it when thousands of students and citizens were safely rescued from war-torn Ukraine.
Understandably, people go abroad for a better future, but then they must follow the legal way to enter the country of their choice. Swindlers are always ready to hoodwink innocent people like vultures. They used to siphon off the money from the desperate people and sent them illegally, opting for donkey routes. It ends not only in frustration but also lands them in jail and hardships besides defaming the country. The recent extradition of illegal migrants from the USA is a burning example. It is an action a country lover would never do.
It is here jingoism needs a look as well. Patriotism and Jingoism are, though seemingly the same, but are very different. While Jingoism is a mental perversion and shows the haughtiness of an individual, patriotism is a blissful feeling. It is like the love of a child towards his mother. Jingoism lands a country into trouble. The imposed Indo-Pak war of 1971 was the outcome of some jingoists of the neighbourhood enemy country. They tried to act smart and went overboard to show their ludicrous Jingoism. Truly speaking, it was their clash of interest in the veil of love for their country in the form of Jingoism.
A patriot is a law-abiding person who always keeps national interest above everything. He is a soldier who defends the nation in his own way by contributing his bit. For him, his family’s existence and survival are possible only when his country is safe. The country is of paramount importance for him, and he does everything possible to shine it and make it strong. Holding a flag and posing before a camera will do nothing good. Patriotism, unlike jingoism, is not a thing to show off. It is a natural feeling of bliss which resides in the heart. We must feel proud that Bharat aka India is our motherland.
Long live India!
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