Aug 15, 1947 is when India became free from British rule. Every year since then, like every other country on the planet that was ruled at some point by the British Empire, we celebrate our Independence Day.
I still remember the holidays as a child when I would wake up to a whole day of television programming replete with nationalistic fervour – a day meant to inspire every citizen and educate the young ones about the legacy they had inherited. My father, Rahul and I would stand to rapt attention as the Indian national anthem played with the flag fluttering in the wind, on TV. Being so young back then, I never really had the patience to listen to all those speeches but I did like to see the brief display of India’s military strength. But that is when I would tell myself I liked Republic Day (Jan 26; India became a republic on Jan 26, 1950) much better since they had more weapons and aircraft on display 
What is it about the way we are brought up that makes us loyal to our country ? Is it that we are taught in school and all around in our environment to do that or is there a natural affection that we develop for what we have become familiar with all our life ? Is it an attachment to the people and the culture ? If you picked a man from a tribal group deep in the forests of Andhra Pradesh, would he be loyal to his country ? Or would he be loyal to his tribe ? What makes the soldier from Assam give his life fighting for the same citizen of his country that lives thousands of miles away in Kerala – one who doesn’t even look anything like him ?
As I think about the answers to these questions, it strikes me that patriotism is a very complex concept. Like most things about us humans, it is a learned instinct – a value instilled in us by society for the greater common good. And why not too – the state does so much for you, strives to make your life better all the time. Somewhere in the education system there must be a provision to ensure that the citizens of tomorrow shall not destroy all what has been handed down to them through sheer stupidity and a lack of vision. The ones with the vision need a people with the right frame of mind, with the right values drilled into their heads.
But what about the ones that are not educated (as is the case in large parts of rural India) ? Are such people entirely controlled by leaders and politicians who essentially tell them what to do ? This might be the case when it comes to, say, elections and matters of national importance like when the country is at war and it needs more soldiers. But what about, say, cheering for our country’s team in a sport ? Would you call that patriotism ? Certainly not. I could think that my team is not worth cheering for but still fight for my country if I had to.
In India, one of the things that were done was to use the powerful media of television to spread the message of unity in diversity. On the national television channel, Doordarshan, there used to be this really cute video in Hindi which many of us have grown up on.
As I watch this video again, I can’t but help thinking – our greatest strength in the world is that we have unity in immense diversity.
I am sure this will bring back a smile to your face
Perhaps this is the most appropriate time to remember what John F Kennedy once said:
“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.”
Jai Hind!
