It was then; during the
British Raj that patriotism was truly ubiquitous. Today the ideologies stand
inter-mingled. We have nationalism, secularism, liberal mindedness,
anti-feudalism, the right-wing, left-wing and what not! But the fundamental
feeling of being in love and faithful to the country is misconstrued and almost
absent.
India has always stood
for peace. It had conquered the 200 years of British Raj through one of the
greatest influences of all times - Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the
nation.
The worldwide Satyagrah
movement and non-violence promoted peace. Our country stands for these virtues.
So when there’s a war cry, it’s a temporary euphoria, an emotional
vulnerability that we are exhibiting to the world that’s anything but
patriotism.
Charles De
Gaulle, French army officer and statesman who led the French Resistance
against Nazi Germany in World War II
puts it,
"Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when
hate for people other than your own comes first."
Here’s to glorious,
gorgeous, deliciously united Akhand Bharat that stands for peace and not war!
