Sir,
Patriotism, used to be an acronym for a way of life, long before we got Independence. Believe you me, it still exists but in literature. Let me ask you a question, what comes first, Country or Religion? If you think religion then it is my humble request, to kindly stop reading this article, because, in that case you are not a patriot and your contribution to your country and society in any way is insignificant. Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of our Nation besides preaching Ahimsa, always advocated selfless service to the society, because this is the only way we can bring morality of humans in general and Indians in particular together. Mahatma Gandhi ji said that, we should have a firm belief in God in any form, but at the same time we should not decry morality of other religions. Mahatma Gandhi was disheartened witnessing the discrimination Indians were subjected to, in South Africa (1893). He was also pained to see the unhygienic surroundings Indians were habitual of living in. Mahatma Gandhi was sure that these people have lost dignity of their own, leave aside the ill treatment they get in South Africa, although Mahatma Gandhi himself was one of the victims of discrimination. Indians were called coolies, because most of the Indians were the indentured people and their houses were literally in grunge. To avoid such a humiliation Indians associated themselves with different religions. Some preferred calling themselves Persians and some preferred calling themselves Arabs, just to avoid the humiliation of being called coolies, an acronym for being Indians. But it was Gandhi ji who impelled the feeling of Nationalism amongst the Indians in South Africa. People immediately followed his footsteps and ultimately after a long struggle, succeeded in clinching dignity for them. Back in India though freedom was a long cherished dream, but the deep rooted gnaws of caste and religious divide always stood as a barricade. Slowly, but steadily, over a period of time and after myriad sacrifices, our country was freed from the clutches of British rule. Bottom line is that, unless we develop a feeling of Nationalism amongst us, the brotherhood and ultimately the Patriotism can’t be achieved. Unfortunately today we have given an ugly dimension to religion (pseudo-secularism) but notwithstanding that, we must relent hard to bring the feeling of nationalism and universal brotherhood in us, only then we can justify calling ourselves true Patriots.
Yours etc….
Amit Kotwal
On e-mail
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