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Patriotism - The Last Refuge of the Scoundrels

It's that time of the year again and the scoundrels are out there to make the most of it. Does this mean that the one's like us are any less patriotic than them, who are fighting for hoisting the Indian flag. Surely not. Patriotism comes from within and these people just use it as their last refuge.

When everything else fails, go emotional. Strike on people's emotions. Say things which just sounds good, no matter if you mean none of it. After forcing everything, now you want to force the hoisting on them. Why not think of it as the lowering in the name of the hundreds you killed in the previous months. They have lost their fathers, sons, husbands and mothers. Shouldn't that be reason enough.

Forcing will not work forever. Instead make them believe they have your support in times of distress, not that all you want is symbolism. What does this symbolism mean anyways. First they, themselves must understand the symbolism in the tricolours of the flag. It calls for peace, brotherhood and loyalty towards the nations. Yet, we see so many of us, once again falling in the emotional trap of symbolism. Making decisions on the incomplete, misinterpreted facts is dangerous.

When everything else fails, the scoundrels get back to their patriotism. Where is there patriotism when they make life saving defence buys for the country or giving it back to the martyr's wives. Yet we live on short memories and are willing to forget all that and give in to their foul play. We have developed parasitic instincts which we soon need to get rid of. Develop our own sensibilities and true patriotism as it is.

"Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong."

Happy Republic Day!

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