What you can do for your country
On the upcoming Indian Republic Day, I am reminded of what John F Kennedy the former president of The United States of America “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”.
This current culture of entitlement is prevalent in India. It makes people believe that the country has to provide for them instead of what they can do for the country. One of the best examples of this in India is what we call the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It is about keeping your country clean.
We notice that people clean their own homes, and throw the garbage right outside their homes. Nation building is about treating public property, and common property with the same love and respect that one does with their own property.
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time
Mark Twain, the famous author very aptly said that “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it”. I would like to tweak Mark Twain quote slightly and say patriotism is supporting your country all the time. Being very careful about supporting your politicians based on caste or regional politics.
With India’s Republic Day around the corner, it is a good time for us the citizens of this fantastic country pledge to be more patriotic, focus on respecting public property, cleanliness, honesty and integrity.
One of the best examples that come to my mind is that of Japan and Japanese school children. In Japanese schools at the end of the day, all children get together and clean their school. They clean their desks, they clean their classrooms and tidy up their school before they go home. This culture of caring, cleanliness is inculcated from a young age in all Japanese people.
Our culture, our nation has plenty of excellent values. Such as respect for elders, respect of women, respect and love for animals. But, this does not, and should not stop us from bringing and implementing best values and practices from other countries and nations.
On this occasion of Republic Day, I believe that for us to grow and strengthen as a nation. We need to focus on improving our environment, reducing our dependency on non-renewable energy, educating our youth and children with values such as cleanliness of our environment, protecting public assets, treating women as equals in the home and workplace.
Special thanks to all the armed forces personnel
As we all enjoy a holiday on the 26th of January to celebrate our Republic Day special thanks to all the armed forces personnel who worked 24 by 7 to protect our borders. It is thanks to these wonderful men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our borders that we civilians sleep safely at night.
Jai Hind!
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