Freedom and Responsibility

Yesterday was India's 63rd Independence Day. And a very special day, as it always is. But what I continue to find difficult to understand is why there's a sudden burst of patriotism in all and sundry only on that day (and, of course, on Republic Day). Why don't Indians (generally speaking) feel equally patriotic on other days? And if they do, why doesn't it show? And when it shows why is it mostly in the kind of patriotism that takes the form of 'Mera Bharat Mahan' written at the back of trucks (surreally juxtaposed with that other ubiquitous back-of-the-truck message -- 'Horn OK Please')? And when it is not that kind of patriotism then why is it of either the maudlin or the melodramatic kind?

Simple acts of responsible citizenship in everyday life represent a more credible expression of patriotism than mere sloganeering and flag-waving on two days in a year, and are a more mature manifestation of our love and respect for India. We won our freedom the hard way, and it looks like we need to inculcate in ourselves a sense of responsibility (that comes automatically with freedom) the hard way too.

My twitter message when I logged on yesterday, was "There's a fine line between patriotism and jingoism. Tread carefully, my beloved compatriots. Happy Independence Day!" and thats about what I could manage in 140 characters. But there's more that I wanted to say and here it is --

"Do your country, your fellow countrymen and yourself a big favour, and focus on the following key areas of improvement:

• Civic sense -- Keep your neighbourhood as clean as your home. Develop a better sense of personal hygiene. Restrain yourself from activities that result in air and noise pollution
• Compliance -- Follow the laws of the land, and in particular: obey traffic rules, pay your taxes, maintain queue discipline
• Integrity -- Do not cheat and do not indulge in corrupt practices. Help clean up the culture of corruption that is corroding our institutions at every level
• Tolerance -- Yes, we have 'unity in diversity', but also start practising 'equity in diversity'. Drop your prejudices and your false sense of communal pride and your regressive ideas regarding morality. We have always been an inclusive and a secular culture, and if you love your country for its culture, then walk the talk.
• Intolerance -- Drop the 'chalta hai' attitude. Don't 'adjust'. Oppose. Acceptance of things that ought to change only perpetuates the degeneration and decay."

Excuse me for pontificating, but it would be really nice to hear the ring of sincerity in the voices that sing "Sare Jahan se Achcha", otherwise we're just kidding ourselves. Martyrs laid down their lives fighting for independence during the freedom struggle. Martyrs continue to give up their lives for our country -- not just on the battlefront but all over, and these days this is happening with an alarming regularity. However, there are others among us who die a slow death every day, fighting an uphill battle towards progress. True patriots must do what they can to make life easier for their compatriots, and perhaps put a few more years of life back into their lives. A few more years of a better life.

Vande Mataram!

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