A true patriot is one who loves his country enough to make the supreme sacrifice – his life. But sad to say, it is very hard to find such patriots among the ordinary citizens of India nowadays.
Other than the brave soldiers and officers who make up the Indian armed forces, not many people will even consider such a sacrifice. This was revealed in the most pathetic manner when the Kandahar hijacking took place. People were more worried that the lives of the hostages should be saved.
They did not stop to think of the cost the nation would have to pay in exchange for this. The government too was unwilling to risk the wrath of the people. So they gave into the hijackers’ demands and released a dangerous terrorist who had been captured with great difficulty.
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One reason for this abysmal lack of patriotism is the fact that many Indians do not take pride in their country. In a way it is not their fault. When they see politicians squabbling over the spoils of office, when they see criminals being elected to power and when they see their leaders colluding to loot the country, they cannot help but become cynical. They also start thinking of their narrow and selfish interests.
The day our netas clean up their act and decide to serve the country and their countrymen without expecting anything in return they will acquire the moral right to demand sacrifices from the people they serve for the nation’s well-being. It is they who have to lead the way and set the example.
What is more pitiable is the plight of those whose loved ones become martyrs on the battlefield. They are often made to run from pillar to post to receive the benefits the government owes them. And does the common man who leads a safe life in the comfort of his own home far from the border think about those who have laid down their lives to protect the country from the enemy? Hardly.
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They are more concerned about the exploits of cricket players and film heroes than those of our virjawans. Little wonder then that patriotism has few takers in India.