Nationalism Vs. Pseudo-nationalism

The term “patriotism” is in vogue these days and everybody seems to be talking about it. People are raising slogans and holding marches to demonstrate their love for the country.

Students across the nation are holding demonstrations to protest against the ongoing injustice; lawyers on the other hand, are leaving courtrooms and carrying out processions against all the ‘anti-national’ elements of the society; and the police is turning a blind-eye towards everything.

Sadly, this is not the end. The scenario is such that people are being branded as ‘anti-nationals’ and charged with ‘sedition’.

The atmosphere is so charged up that it is giving the looks and feels of the era of Indian freedom struggle, except that this time everything is in the greys.

To counter the impact of the ongoing events (JNU row), all central universities across the country have decided to install the national tricolor ‘prominently and proudly’ in their campuses. The idea is that flying the national flag will instilling nationalism and pride in the students and the countrymen.

However, the question is that will it actually serve the purpose?

Another important question that looms at this juncture, when people are being explicitly classified in two categories- patriots and traitors, is that is hoisting the national flag the only symbol of patriotism?

Oxford dictionary defines Patriotism as ‘the love of your country and willingness to defend it’.

If that is true, then isn’t patriotism reflected in the way we fight to make our country a better place and the ways we stand up to hold its values?

If patriotism is a feeling and our actions, its indicators, then isn’t any action threatening to disrupt the peace in the country in any way, anti-national? Isn’t any action downing the pride and glory of our nation simply betrayal?

Recently, lawyers in the national capital despite of the orders of the Supreme Court of India, created a ruckus outside a Delhi court on by showering a youth with beatings. The following day, they held a procession against the so-called ‘traitors’ present in the society.

If members of the judiciary start challenging their own constitution and act in ways that challenges discipline in the society, then how will the country function? How will India function?

In this era, where we talk about the ‘power of choice’ with so much confidence, are public trials and slogan chanting really acceptable? Or is this the age of pseudo-nationalism, where words mean more than the actions and creating chaos is the new method of defending one’s country?

If chaos is the new order and laws are restricted to the ‘common people’, is freedom, in its absolute sense, defunct?

Further, if agents of justice betray the country in the most basic sense, where will the nation and the nationalism go?

Is one day really enough?

Valentine’s Day is just hours away and I can’t help but wonder why do we have just one day to celebrate our love towards our partners?

In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, “love is the only reality and is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation.”

If love really is that powerful and vital then shouldn’t it be celebrated every day? Shouldn’t we often take the time and e have efforts to remind our closest people how much they mean to us? Shouldn’t we express our gratitude towards them more frequently than we usually do?

Or does one day cover up for the remaining 364 days of the year?

We have Mother’s Day to celebrate the bond between mothers and their children; we have Father’s Day to thank our dads for their protection and support; we even have Brother’s Day and Sister’s Day to celebrate the bonds that we share with our siblings, but is having just one day really enough?

Is it ok to celebrate one day and ignore our loved ones other times?

Love is an eternal feeling and it makes us a better person. While being loved by someone gives us strength, loving someone gives us courage. No matter what the bond the is, the feeling remains the same and requires nourishment.

However, if we hurt someone close to us, even a fancy restaurant, red roses and a dozen expensive gifts can never make up for it.

So, if you truly love someone don’t wait for a year to admit that you do. Every day counts, every moment is precious.

Spend time together; surprise them often; flirt with them like you’re still 16; show how grateful you are and never value your ego more than the person you care about. Coz when you love someone, every day is the day of love...

Too much or too little?

They say knowledge is power and information is liberating.

But is it entirely true? Is knowing everything really a boon or is there more to it?

Knowledge is powerful. It can either set you free or pull you down under its weight.

But with great knowledge comes great responsibilities and with extra-ordinary information come some agonizing limitations.

On one hand, knowing too much before the right time can be restraining, but on the other hand, knowing too little can be equally perilous.

So when do we draw the line? How do we decide whether what we know is too little or too much?

We chase answers all our lives. We seek what is unknown, and yet when we have all the answers, it’s not enough. We crave for more. It’s like an eternal thirst that can’t be quenched.

The interesting question here is, what would happen if we knew things even before they happened? Would it avert accidents? Would it lessen the pain of tragedies?

There is no definite answer but its safe to say that it would do no good in any situation.

Future is indefinite and our each and every action holds the potential to change it.

On one hand knowing about a happy ending would make us too lethargic to act in a way that would get us the desired outcome, on the other hand, knowing about a calamity would drain us in a way that we would cease to live in the present.

The fact is that no one can live with the burden of knowing too much before the right time for a long time.

So when they say that ignorance is bliss, they say it right. In some cases, its better to close your eyes and be blind to the future than being a silent spectator to what cannot be changed.