Patriotism?

We celebrated our 73rd Independence Day recently. I admit it was less of a celebration of the marked day and more of ‘enjoying and lazing around on any other holiday,’ except for the few counted ones who must have wholeheartedly organized and attended the functions held at the respective institutes and workplaces.

I’m not trying to question their patriotic fervour; one should love and respect their country.

But how correct is it to hold only one’s value right and criticize others for not having the same beliefs? My views are directed towards state-level patriotism (for I don’t have guts to speak against this nation especially in today’s times where anti-national wave runs high among the citizens).

 “I Disapprove of What You Say, But I Will Defend to the Death Your Right to Say It.”

A beautifully articulated quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hal. 

However, I would like to add to it ".... in whatsoever way you want to." (Of course, as long as it doesn't cross the line of decency). While it shows how one can disagree with another’s opinion but still stand firm with their right to express.

Leave about the freedom to speak, at some places you are even guided or rather ordered to speak in a particular language.

All my life, I had this notion that heavy accents should not form part of one’s speech for they obstruct the passage of a message; that communication must be free-flowing. Because if it is not free enough then what’s the point of having it in the first place.

Tada, people do not use language to convey the message, but they use it to emit some sort of pride, of being connected to one’s roots. This type of thinking leads to rigidity and non-welcoming behaviour towards outsiders who do not know the concerned language (which is not a trait to boast off).

People of many states, and even countries, are held culprit of this offence. Even if they know the language in which someone is trying to communicate they won’t reply to it completely or aptly, signalling, “If you want to talk to us then speak in ‘so-and-so’ language.”

Alright, you are in power right now. The other person needs you at this moment so he’ll try his best to get the query answered but what if the tables turned and the roles reversed? What if you’re stuck in the same situation? You will then conveniently switch into the required language.

On the opposite side, I’ve a friend who’s not much happy with the state that she was born in and is reluctant to share the feeling of pride that her fellow statesmen have, perhaps due to the rowdy and uncouth image built by them. Just imagine someone is feeling ashamed of getting the tag that you flamboyantly wear on your sleeve primarily because of your such behaviour. Leave alone brightening the spot that your state assumes, you’re letting others down.

In short, while it’s good to hold your roots to your land in high esteem but the forceful imposition of your false attitude shouldn’t take place and none should be made to behave in a certain way.

Be mindful of how you conduct yourself. You’re not only you but a community, state, race, religion and all those things that you associate yourself with.

Ironically, a free India was the target behind all of this independence movement and here we are trying to belie that very spirit by putting the cultural shackles.