WRITE Short note on respect CONSTITUTION AND NATIONAL SYMBOLS
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National symbols are not mere indirect representatives of a nation’s citizens, of ideas or of feelings but have a greater profound meaning with a broader spectrum of a nation’s values and traditions depicting history that ultimately unified the nation. Being akin to a nation’s history, they are an expression of respect and high consideration, such that, they find mention in the Constitution, benefitting them from legal protection. But one must always remember that these symbols are “broader than an ideological movement” and that ‘to have an impact in history it is not sufficient that a colour or an emblem be chosen only once, it still needs to be adopted by the people, perceived, received, in short, that it succeed’ .
Before moving any further, we must keep in mind three things: first, Patriotism is an emotion or a sentiment of love for one’s own country and such love cannot be won with force but has to be earned; second, Article 19 of the Constitution of India provides for “Freedom of Speech and Expression” and if we consider the meaning of expression it can be said to be content and form both; where content is the meaning being conveyed and form is the way in which meaning is being conveyed; third, fundamental duties provided in Part IV of the Indian Constitution do not have any legal consequence or legal sanction in case of its non- compliance. Thus, with no prescribed standard for pledging allegiance to our national symbols, the portrayal of such respect towards nation by any means would be sufficient, and not necessarily the kind homage imposed by the Government, nor can there be any legal coercion to comply.
Back in school, when the initiatives begin to make each one of us a responsible and law abiding citizen, we all are instructed to learn and sing the National Anthem and salute to the Indian National Flag in the fullest of our spirits. We stood there like golems with no clue that we were not only instructed to maintain decorum but to instill patriotism in our hearts for our Mother India. Once we move out of school, the true essence of paying respect to the National Symbols is understood but the absence of occasions to showcase our patriotism does not, in the remotest of the possibilities, indicate that we no longer possess it. Often, doubt in regards to the validity of ‘proving love for the country through ritual idolatry’ is questioned.
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A national symbol is a symbol of any entity considering and manifesting itself to the world as a national community: the sovereign states but also nations and countries in a state of colonial or other dependence, federal integration, or even an ethnocultural community considered a 'nationality' despite having no political autonomy.[1]
National symbols intend to unite people by creating visual, verbal, or iconic representations of the national people, values, goals, or history. These symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiring nationalism (such as independence, autonomy or separation movements) and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the people of the national community.