After 60 years of our Independence, if our concept of Nationalism is restricted to chest beating and slogan shouting, then I’m afraid we are not moving in the right direction. Nationalism cannot be restricted to merely symbolic gestures. It must go beyond that. Our actions must speak a million words. I wonder what real purpose will be served by shouting nationalistic slogans in college campuses where students go essentially to study. Or for that matter, what purpose will be served by bashing up or ridiculing someone who makes a video which you may not like. For the moment, we have enough problems which we need to contend with and there is no need to add up more. The Cauvery issue is unsolved for ages, our Mhadei issue is still dragging, we do not want garbage from another village to be dumped in our own, one State does not wish to see eye-to-eye with another - and yet we pretend to be Nationalistic? If we want to be truly Nationalistic as a Nation, then our political class and its citizens must work together to forge a common bond and unity. Not resort to gestures which will sow the seeds for further disunity. In August 1947, the Nation was born giving us, its citizens, various constitutional rights and freedoms. We need to respect each one’s rights & constitutional freedoms to take the Nation forward and not get upset over petty and trivial matters. The following words of Swami Vivekananda need to resonate in the minds of every Indian, “Come, be men! Come out of your narrow holes and have a look abroad. See how nations are on the march! Do you love your country? Then come, let us struggle for higher and better things; look not back, no, not even if you see the dearest and nearest cry. Look not back, but forward!”
warm regards, Sandeep Heble Panaji-Goa Ph - 9326129171
