Dead Patriotism

When I was coming back from class today, i stopped at a Junction. In the Junction, i saw a child selling the flags of India. With the Republic day celebrations just round the corner, these flags should have been accepted by the people. But, i realized that none were wanting the flag, some of the people said that it is not even Republic day, so they wont buy it. It was when i reached home that i realized that me not accepting the flag was a big mistake. Even more alarming, i realized that the sense of Patriotism is dead within me. This is the problem that is facing the country at the moment, that Patriotism as a whole is dead among many Indians.

This incident demonstrates the fact that we Indians have literally taken our country and its freedom for granted. In Ordinary times, we do not think very highly of our country. It is only during times of Crisis that our nation rallies around and remebers that our 'Freedom' is in threat. This was illustrated even furthur during the Kargil Crisis of 1999, when Bollywood stage shows were held to commemorate the valour of the soldiers who gave their lives for the country. After that, this has simply been forgotten, thankfully not completely. However, the genuine feeling of Patriotism all dies down when it has to deal with issues of money and personal benefit.

The picture around the world might also be the same. Although, there is a certain belief going on that the United States pays respect to its flag them any other natio on this earth. But, looking at the psyche and the mindset of the world, people will be Patriotic if any external threat is present. The events of 9/11 made the whole US Patriotic, while the events of 7/7 in UK made the whole nation rally around the flag. So, in this aspect, India might not be different. But, when the people of this nation fought so hard for Independence, this kind of attitude could be Fatal.

Unfortunately, nowadays, people only look for a particular event where in they can buy the flag of India and display their sense of Patriotism. The true Patriot will be called a Madman in today's time, and hence the true patriot doesnt stand up. Perhaps, the bottomline for this generation when defining Patriotism is situational. Even I admit to the fact that Patriotism is dead, but when i go out of my homeland, i will realize the true meaning of Motherland. But, there is a message here. If people have no genuine Patriotism, that nation might soon stagnate and cease to be one. The people of nations must realize Patriotism is essential, without which nations might not function.