Bharat Mata Ki Jai

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”

                                                                                                      -John F. Kennedy

Patriotism is probably one of the most abstract notions to be conceived.

Love for one’s country could take a wide variety of forms and could have different connotations when thought about by different people. On the other hand there are several people who reject the ideal as they attribute their country of birth to a quirk of fate.

Being a part of the younger generation, I often come across frustrated friends who cannot wait to leave the country at the first chance they can get. Having visited the shores of foreign lands on vacation, they have dreams of spending most of their lives in such countries, which definitely promise “a better future”. Most of these “runaways” will probably be forced to join a foreign college due to the boundless competition in India and soon, the effect snowballs into them staying away from home for a greater part of their life.

I have always been of the opinion that the motherland contributes a great deal to the development of an individual during his formative years. There may be those who scoff at this idea and say that the country is merely catering to their needs. However, life is not only about fulfilling one’s needs, it is the varied experiences we have – happy, sad, utterly frustrating or even relieving – which shape our mindset and mould us into who we are at the core. And this is where the country plays a major role.

India.

I would like to be able to say that I know everything about our country and on hearing her name itself strong emotions rise through me (which is often considered the benchmark for patriotism!). But, that would be a lie.

Being a shy child, I never sang the national anthem during the morning assembly at my school. I have probably never screamed “ Jai Hind” with vigor and vitality. But does that make me a poor Indian? Are we supposed to resort to these displays of nationalism a few days every year and then go back to cursing the country at every opportunity we can get?

Though we may refuse to admit it, for all those who have grown up here, India has shaped each and every one of us. We may have suffered at the hands of her corruption or been refused several opportunities due to her overpopulation. But isn’t there a great deal of satisfaction when one bites into a crispy dosa or a perfect kulfi? There are numerous individuals who believe that if we have a problem with the country’s situation, we should work towards improving it ourselves. Though this sounds easy in theory, and probably noble even, it is only logical that there is a limit to what a single person can do, however determined he may be.

All I am saying is that as the country has given us so much, shouldn’t it be our duty to give back to it as well, rather than having a parasitic existence?

Having seen him walk out in India’s customary blue all the time, it would be unimaginable to see Sachin Tendulkar don Australia’s green and yellow. Why are we so keen to bat for the other team then? Hearing women brag about how much they bargained and managed to reduce the price of their shopping items and simultaneously parading their rather expensive diamond earrings is one of the many contradictions that makes India.

Those older to me say that I am young, foolish and hence idealistic. When I see a bit more of life, my views about India shall automatically change.

All I know is that it’s home.