Me, My country and I

Tweet

Why should I love my country, India? Is it just because I am born in India? Should I consider it the best country? Today patriotism is confused with attributing a few superlatives to the motherland and justifying all its actions and policies. And (more often than not) it is an effect of adrenalin pumping in, when the mind is subjected to a patriotic theme/movie. I am not an extreme nationalist nor a fanatic nor am I a pop-patriot. Indeed I am just an Indian, your common friendly neighborhood Indian. And I love my country. No, its not just because I am born in India. It is because (to me) India is not just a country, it is a brother-hood, a spirit. When I flush my toilet, it gets cleaned and the filth leaves through the drains, because an Indian maintains them. I am able to sleep peacefully, because an Indian Chemical Engineer worked at DRDO to afford nuclear protection to my country. Another soldier is vigilant on the freezing himalayas to protect me. I owe this country, just as this country owes me. My monetary contributions, however paltry they might be, help fund the research of such chemical engineers and maintenance of drains. Yes, I am thankful that I have finally become a tax-payer. It is with indeed on my money that the poor farmer, who toils for me, lives. And it is indeed with his toils that I nourish myself. Today, some of my non-Indian friends have formed an opinion about my country, be it good or bad, based on my attitude as an Indian. Similarly, when I say that I am an Indian, people treat with whatever respect or scorn because of their understanding of the Indian-ness in me. I am an ambassador of my country, just as it is mine. It is no longer a relationship of indebtedness, but a transcendental relationship. I am the country, its benefactor as well as its representative. And when I think of my country, my blood does not gush, nor does adrenalin pump. When I think of India, I think of love and I experience a sense of belonging-hood. It is similar to the feeling I have for my family. I neither think that India is the best country, nor that my family is the best. But, the best I can do is contributing whatever little I can in my position as a Bharata bhagya vidata (An architect of India’s destiny). That said, I am infinitely proud of its vivid culture, attitude of universal acceptance and especially its Upanishadic spirit of "Satyameva Jayate" "Truth alone Triumphs" among many other things. Yes, I am well aware of its shortcomings, but they too will be take care of soon^_^. And to my Indian friends: Whenever, you feel a little low, just remember this: Thou art the dispenser of India's destiny! Vande Mataram (I salute my mother) Jaya Hind! (Hail India!)