dialogue between Raj and Allen on the importance of patriotism.
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dailogue between Raj and Allen on
the importance of patriotism
After more than 50 years of independence a need was felt to rethink and redefine patriotism - a sign of loyalty to the nation or a misused sentiment? Talking Point, organised by Good Books, a bookstore and resource centre for children and young people in Chennai, led to much exchange of ideas and learning. Three schools participated in the discussion for students of Std. XI, moderated by senior journalist Sadanand Menon, on August 17.
The beginning kindled contrasting responses from the participants with each of them explaining what patriotism meant to them. A few felt it was about serving the country and remaining in India, others said "I love my country and will continue to love it wherever I am. Does my presence here make me a patriot?" One child expressed that while a few think it is unpatriotic to criticise the country or anything associated with it, constructive criticism is what can lead us to progress.
This continued to a discussion on concepts of "country" and "nation". The nation never existed before August 15, 1947, so the structure of patriotism, as we know it today, began only since. The patriotism that existed pre-independence was one fuelled by a desire to rid India of the British Raj. What composes today's patriotism, with insignia like the National Flag and the National Anthem? Can streams of plastic imitation flags which are soon strewn across the school playground or discarded in dustbins be symbols of India?
Questions led to more questions and discussions. Did India, with its geographical boundaries, have a good beginning on August 15, 1947? Common ethnicity and language do not seem to be unifying factors, while war seems a solution. For example, a few participants were quite aggressive about a "headless India" and felt that war was a way to resolve issues. If what can be translated as "It is beautiful and fitting to die for my country" - Ceasar's soldiers marching cry - be considered patriotic, the concept of "dying for my country" is equally so. Living for it? Too commonplace. Someone said, "We all live only for ourselves".