I don't understand why I should have the Tricolour as my profile pic on Independence Day. Neither do I fathom what we would achieve or prove if we have one million flags fly across facebook! And would having my flag as my profile make me and all the others doing so, any more patriotic than we already are?
Nothing wrong with it, mind you. But it rather makes us look, for want of a better phrase, superficially patriotic. Every year we hoist the flag, sing patriotic songs, watch Gandhi/RDB/Lagaan/Krantiveer and of course, put up the flag as our profile pic. And then its over. Like my friend Satish Suggala said, "Feel Patriotic, quick! Offer valid till this day lasts!!" What good is this patriotism that gets stirred up only during the two national holidays? And how does it help in the progress of our nation? It actually does exactly the opposite.
If anyone calls themselves patriotic, it should hurt them to see the sorry state of affairs in the country. It should make them want to struggle for the betterment of the nation, take charge and make right the things that are wrong. Now, I realise not everyone can, or is willing to dive into the dirty ditch of politics. But that's not the only way to get rid of the evils.
I've observed over the years that the biggest problem plaguing us is our attitude towards work. The only reason many people have work is to earn money and feed themselves and their families. They hold no pride in their work and nor do they care a damn about how much their contribution makes a difference to the greater picture. Thus results the 'chalta hai' attitude towards results and productivity. One can understand the lack of drive or pride on the part of the working classes. But the sad truth is, this attitude is very much prevalent among the educated folk who hold (or are on course to hold) socially respectable positions. It hurts a lot to see people my own age privileged enough to get the highest level of education they desire, frown upon even having to do the minimum amount of work required for the results they want and the ways they find to pass the buck. It is this reluctance to work, to fulfil one's responsibilities that is holding us back as a nation.
Right now, I really don't know where this piece is going. I guess its sounding like a rant of an concerned citizen striving for his nation's betterment, frustrated by the lack of work ethics in the people around him which is tarnishing the name of the country and halting its progress, so I'll get to the point. What I'm really trying to say is, instead of whining about what is wrong and who is responsible and so on, if we just lead our lives and do our jobs with honesty and integrity, and push/inspire others to do the same, a lot of the problems will sort themselves out. It won't happen overnight, so please don't think in terms of 'what difference is just one person gonna make?'. It's the millions of these 'just one person's in a collective effort that will eventually make India truly independent. Free of corruption, free of poverty, free of ignorance, free!
I'd like to end with a line that I try to follow to the best of my ability and authority. Its beautiful when you read it but can be absolutely miraculous if you truly and wholly follow it.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
JAI HIND!
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