I rarely feel patriotic.
I like very few patriotic songs. I like Rehman's Maa Tujhe Salaam. But the songs which go on about how India is the best place in the world, how it's the most wonderful place to live (in the face of all evidence), how we have unity in diversity, how we have diverse cultures, plenty of tolerance, and a deep rooted sense of morality, those are just silly. Come on, the people who wrote them didn't believe that, did they? I used to like the national anthem, but I've heard it sung badly far too many times.
This year, though, I bought a five rupee plastic flag off a child on the pavement. There's something terribly ironic about an underfed, underdressed child trying to appeal to my patriotic instinct, when the fact of that child's existance in that state only served to remind me of how little there is to be patriotic about.
(I predict a spate of 'no, India is wonderful, look how far we've progressed' comments. Spare me. I quite like this country, but it has yet to earn my pride.)
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9 comments:
Always thought that when people said their country was the best they were effectively saying F-YOU to everyone else out there.
hey
very thoughtful, it echoes my sentiments
had the same thing yesterday while goin to a booze party, not the right idea, but what the heck
makes me wonder how independent we r, for our nation's capital dont have power, women are objects of what have u's and what nots, and yes, cops break more rules than those present in the IPC
what can i say
happy indpendence
madam, slightly irrelevant to the post but since u n i r both parnab fans, thot u may wana give this a read
http://jusletmebe.blogspot.com/2005/08/with-respect-to-pornob-mukherji.html
and im sorry, if this is irrelevant, wantedu to see this
even i'm not that sure of my patriotic feelings, but i guess humanitarianism encompasses patriotism and that is the way to be...
Teki - (hi!) I'd agree with you that most patriotic values are the same as humanitarian values. But then it limits those values as being applicable only to people within that limited area. I mean, "All Indians should be treated with respect" is true inasmuch as it's an offshoot from "All humans should be treated with respect". But if you teach people the first statement, they're likely not to follow the second, yet if you teach them the second they have to follow the first.
yes, i had thought of that but i feel that humanitarian values can be more easily inculcated in the young minds...patriotism comes from a deeper understanding and love for one's country - maybe somewhat like its been shown in 'swades'...
and as to the geographic limitations of patriotism, the saying goes that "charity begins at home", so there...
I'd still disagree.
Patriotism's a bit of a construct anyway. Yes, children need to be taught humanitarian values, but why start off by limiting those values to a specific geographical territory?
We live in a country where people are discriminated according to cast. Subjected to sexual discrimination and
ability is stifled. so am I proud of my country? Are you? It's pretty nice to talk about humanitarianism. But it's just too late. People can't afford to stop and change. If they do others who don't will pass them by and screw them up.
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