While our Nation celebrates over 60 glorious years of Independence, the other fact remains that even to this day, India’s struggle for Independence is a sage of those thousands of men, women & even children who have sacrificed their life for the freedom of our nation. By celebrating Independence Day, we pay homage to all those who fought for the Independence of India.
But gone are the days when every Indian citizen valued the importance of this great day!
Believe it or not, accept it or not, but the truth is that time has eroded those sentiments and now we this day is observed like “any other holiday”!!
Today, attendance has been made compulsory by schools which means, “forcing” children to attend the Flag Hoisting Ceremony. Not only children but it’s even seen in most of the Adults also that the feelings and spirit of patriotism for this day is no more.
The Oxford dictionary defines “PATRIOTISM” as Devoted Love, Support, Defence of one’s Country and National Loyalty. But the word “Patriotism” is subjective in nature and cannot be restricted.
We need not take part in International Sports or fight Wars at the border to express our feelings of Patriotism. Our emotions run high when India thrashes Pakistan in any sports or when a businessman of India Origin, staying abroad makes it “BIG” in the World. We feel so patriotic when a Lady of Indian Origin (who has hardly been in India herself) goes into space. The Sunita Willliams episode and the consequent celebrations in India clearly exhibit to what extent we are OBCESSED with the WESTERN CULTURE!
The youth of our country only looks forward to complete their basic studies in India and much before he completion, plans to go out to America or U.K and settle abroad & earn money for the foreign nation. REASON - No infrastructure , hardly any avenues, scope to make it big and fulfill one’s ambition. This might be true but is it not OUR responsibility to facilitate such an environment in our own country ?? APJ Abdul Kalam in his book “ Wings of Fire ” has mentioned that “ Never think of scope, work harder to create that scope.” Kalam rejected several offers and stayed in this country (India) and contributed in making India a nuclear power. That’s the resolve of a Real Patriotic Person.!
PROBLEM is – WE are “obsessed” with foreign labels. It’s a very dangerous trend. We are loosing our own identity in this process. Just a hand-full amongst us have interest in our history, culture & growth and growth of our country. We are aping western countries, leaving behind our nation. But we are also being selective while aping. But WHY is it so?? – The entire America and U.K come on their streets to celebrate their Independence Day. Their entire nation stands by their armed forces not only during war times, but also during “any and every” crisis. They share the success as well as the failure of their country with undivided sincerity and togetherness. They not just dream but also take efforts to take their nation to new heights. Do we feel the same for our very own country – India ??
There are so many negative thoughts about India in one’s mind and quiet often we just don’t want to discuss or even talk about it. There is a very famous dialogue in the movie “RANG DE BASANTI” – “koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota. Usse perfect banana padhta hai.” ( no nation is perfect. We have to take the efforts to make it perfect.” And whose responsibility is it to make it PERFECT ?? Is it right for us to expect someone else to improve the scenario of our nation? And is it more correct that when that happens we will happily return to your nation to contribute to the further developments ?? If so, then does this indicate we are on the right path to prosperity and progress of our nation, our country?
Famous author Shiv Khera says – If we choose NOT to be a part of the solution then we DEFINETLY ARE the PROBLEM!! Convincing I must say! Today our country has made advancements in almost all sectors. But there is still greater distance yet to be coverd. This is just the beginning Agreed! That there are certain problems that are unsettled which need to be attended to and some hurdles yet to be crossed. So why don’t we join hands and make some genuine efforts to work on them – TOGETHER!?!
Nation does not become great only with slogans. It becomes great when its citizens do great things. Sad but true that we just don’t want to fight against injustice and battle for our integrity. We need to change our thinking, pull up our socks and drive this nation of ours forward with all our strength and belief.
WE NEED TO BE A PART OF THIS SYSTEM AND STRIVE HARD TO BRING POSITIVE CHANGES only then we will be able to bring the “nation of our dream” into REALITY.
So how are YOU going to contribute towards this ??
But gone are the days when every Indian citizen valued the importance of this great day!
Believe it or not, accept it or not, but the truth is that time has eroded those sentiments and now we this day is observed like “any other holiday”!!
Today, attendance has been made compulsory by schools which means, “forcing” children to attend the Flag Hoisting Ceremony. Not only children but it’s even seen in most of the Adults also that the feelings and spirit of patriotism for this day is no more.
The Oxford dictionary defines “PATRIOTISM” as Devoted Love, Support, Defence of one’s Country and National Loyalty. But the word “Patriotism” is subjective in nature and cannot be restricted.
We need not take part in International Sports or fight Wars at the border to express our feelings of Patriotism. Our emotions run high when India thrashes Pakistan in any sports or when a businessman of India Origin, staying abroad makes it “BIG” in the World. We feel so patriotic when a Lady of Indian Origin (who has hardly been in India herself) goes into space. The Sunita Willliams episode and the consequent celebrations in India clearly exhibit to what extent we are OBCESSED with the WESTERN CULTURE!
The youth of our country only looks forward to complete their basic studies in India and much before he completion, plans to go out to America or U.K and settle abroad & earn money for the foreign nation. REASON - No infrastructure , hardly any avenues, scope to make it big and fulfill one’s ambition. This might be true but is it not OUR responsibility to facilitate such an environment in our own country ?? APJ Abdul Kalam in his book “ Wings of Fire ” has mentioned that “ Never think of scope, work harder to create that scope.” Kalam rejected several offers and stayed in this country (India) and contributed in making India a nuclear power. That’s the resolve of a Real Patriotic Person.!
PROBLEM is – WE are “obsessed” with foreign labels. It’s a very dangerous trend. We are loosing our own identity in this process. Just a hand-full amongst us have interest in our history, culture & growth and growth of our country. We are aping western countries, leaving behind our nation. But we are also being selective while aping. But WHY is it so?? – The entire America and U.K come on their streets to celebrate their Independence Day. Their entire nation stands by their armed forces not only during war times, but also during “any and every” crisis. They share the success as well as the failure of their country with undivided sincerity and togetherness. They not just dream but also take efforts to take their nation to new heights. Do we feel the same for our very own country – India ??
There are so many negative thoughts about India in one’s mind and quiet often we just don’t want to discuss or even talk about it. There is a very famous dialogue in the movie “RANG DE BASANTI” – “koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota. Usse perfect banana padhta hai.” ( no nation is perfect. We have to take the efforts to make it perfect.” And whose responsibility is it to make it PERFECT ?? Is it right for us to expect someone else to improve the scenario of our nation? And is it more correct that when that happens we will happily return to your nation to contribute to the further developments ?? If so, then does this indicate we are on the right path to prosperity and progress of our nation, our country?
Famous author Shiv Khera says – If we choose NOT to be a part of the solution then we DEFINETLY ARE the PROBLEM!! Convincing I must say! Today our country has made advancements in almost all sectors. But there is still greater distance yet to be coverd. This is just the beginning Agreed! That there are certain problems that are unsettled which need to be attended to and some hurdles yet to be crossed. So why don’t we join hands and make some genuine efforts to work on them – TOGETHER!?!
Nation does not become great only with slogans. It becomes great when its citizens do great things. Sad but true that we just don’t want to fight against injustice and battle for our integrity. We need to change our thinking, pull up our socks and drive this nation of ours forward with all our strength and belief.
WE NEED TO BE A PART OF THIS SYSTEM AND STRIVE HARD TO BRING POSITIVE CHANGES only then we will be able to bring the “nation of our dream” into REALITY.
So how are YOU going to contribute towards this ??
