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My Country, Right or Wrong
If wrong, to be set right
If right, to be kept right
We came across this stunningly simple motto during our training at the academy, years back.
Three sentences that summed up the essence of patriotism. Three sentences that told us what to do.
This was a time when words like 'glasnost' and 'perestroika' had just begun to enter our vocabulary and you still did not need a 'day' nominated by some corporation to celebrate your mother or father or your neighbours dog! Slowly patriotism yielded to some other politically correct or incorrect 'ism and schisms started to form. Today we all realise that while what the Naxals are doing is incorrect, their grievances are genuine. That what Kalmadi is doing is wrong, but we can only rave and rant and blog about it.
Folks, lets take stock. Lets ask ourselves that question - What am I doing for my country?
Here are a few things that we can do to improve our lot and the country - please add more as they come to your mind.
1. File an RTI. How many of us have actually done this? Finding a cause - a glaring instance of corruption, inefficiency or anything that needs to be addressed - should not be a problem.
2. Support a Desi NGO. These are those unsung heroes, who are doing the real dirty work, one-on-one, without much support. It is easy to support the big guns - send the cheque in the mailers that they send you and get the receipt for the tax deductions and claim the benefits. But for once, do it for the cause and NOT the tax benefits!
3. Teach. Not necessarily with an NGO. Educate a street urchin, a servant, a salesman, a colony sweeper...anyone, but please teach anything worthwhile - a language, a procedure (e.g. to send money orders), a health habit (e.g. washing hands)...something.
4. Be responsible - follow rules. No - we are NOT like this only. Rules are meant to be followed, never mind if the rest of the cars behind you are honking away at you for stopping at a red light on an early Sunday morning. Rules are meant for reasons - sensible reasons (most of the time). Follow them. Be responsible - live responsible - take responsibility for your actions. Stick to queues, don't bribe if you can help it ...let the passport, driving licence or whatever take a little longer.
5. Appreciate your country. It took me one year in a peacekeeping mission in Congo to realise how wonderfully blessed we are to be in a country like India, that is Bharat. Folks, this is one fantastic country. Appreciate it, revere it, love it and work at making it better (see motto above). It is in fashion to belittle your nation and very easy to bad mouth it, but ask yourself that one question...What have I done to improve my country?
6. Be positive - never give up, keep trying. Is desh ka kuch nahin ho sakta...is desh ka bahut kuch ho sakta hain.Koshish to kijiye!
Lets do it folks, let us be patriotic and proudly so.
Lets do it folks, let us be patriotic and proudly so.
[This blog post is NOT for any competition sponsored by any company. It is my dedication to my country on Independence Day 2010.]
Excellent post.good luck to you
ReplyDeleteBefore supporting a NGO, look for their promoters, their track record and support selflessly like a committed solider. If you expect anything in return, its not a social work, keep this in mind.
ReplyDeleteI liked "Do it for the cause, not for tax benefit". There are so many unregistered NGOs, not-so-huge schools, that are in need of school uniforms, books, or food for their living! Not just supporting, but we should also visit and spend some time with those children. Afterall, they are our future!
ReplyDelete"Following traffic rules is one that an insane will do in india" is the kind of attitude we people have. The honks, they hurry to cross the line, and supersede the other car is what runs in every individual that waits for a signal. No patience.
Atleast I'm happy that I follow this rule, no matter what-so-ever number of honks I hear, I stand in the front line as a dumb girl, waiting patiently for the green signal to come!
Finally, a great post from the soldier!! I'm getting goosebumps reading this! Kudos to your thoughts and the way you presented it!
And ya...Salutes and Happy Independence Day RS!!
ReplyDeleteJai Hind!
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY FOLKS!
ReplyDeleteKalyana-> thanks a ton. really appreciate your words.
Shri Ram Ayyangar->Very true sir. That is why I recommend going for the single person or small NGOs of impeccable integrity. It may not always be possible to screen the promoters etc.
Anuradha-> Now that is one perfect comment! what you liked, what you did not and your overall feeling. Thanks lady. BTW - do convey my 'pranaam' to your Paati, that was one wonderful piece she told you...thanks for sharing.
EVERYONE-> the paraheadings in the list of things to do are all LINKS to relevant sites. Do click on them - I suddenly realise that one cannot make out at first glance.
JAI HIND!
RS - Thanks for your comment on my comment :))
ReplyDeleteWill convey your 'pranaams' to her!! And read all the links to the para-headings just now! They are too good.
Well said and these are all valid points. We need to work on the situation instead of blaming the government for everything.
ReplyDeleteRS- very nicely brought out! very impressive! I see a lot of enthu in you, and i like the way u said, its not a contest entry. tc
ReplyDeleteRESTLESS MIND
Hey,
ReplyDeletenice post..
I liked the point#5..
Anuradha & Snowleopard->thanks again.
ReplyDeleteBhavia-> glad you like the post and esp pt no 5!And, thanks for following.
Restless->thanks.
nice post soldier! I like your writing and I want to invite you to be a guest author on my blog TheYouthImpact.blogspot.com..where I'm trying to promote the youngsters working for social causes so that it inspires other youngsters. Let me know what you think.
ReplyDeletec9.pankaj@gmail.com
Hi Pankaj,
ReplyDeletejust visited TYI.
interesting concept.
would love to be a guest author.
will mail you separately.
thanks for the offer and for visiting my site.
Blog-te-raho!
A very sensible post. It doesn't espouse lofty ideals, but suggests practical ways we can contribute to the well being of our nation.
ReplyDeleteGood. Is India a great country? answer-Yes; Do we have a great governance? answer - No? Wrong -it is WE THE PEOPLE who are responsible because we allwed things to go from bad to worse after Independence; even after 63 years, we are allowing the things to go from bad to ugly.
ReplyDeleteRemember - we got independence due to the sweat and blood of only 5 per cent of our population. Today the other 95 per cent of non-participators are misusing that independence. India has developed AIDS - Alarmingly Infected Democratic System - We can cure it by injecting the Vote Vaccine with the help of Dr.Voter, by his being proactive with participatory democracy. Wake up India, shrug off corruption, complacency and the dubious distinction that India is surviving with a flawed democracy. Present UPA-2 government must enact Electoral Reforms without further delay to cleanse the politicial system from further decay, judicial reforms to remove the yellow taint that is spreading and a chamchagiri bureaocracy from crowing around the temporary politicians who are making laws with million loophomes, only to take those laws into their hands, misuse them, make millions and escape through those holes. It happens only in India -Anybody can do anything and get away with it. STOP THIS.
Have a look at http://vasanthmhysoremath.blogspot.com for an appeal to Indians to go and vote and not to backstab democracy by not exercising their franchie.
ReplyDeletePurba-> Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVasanthkumar->Nice to see you are doing something concrete.
great to see such wonderful thgts...was craving to see someone really serious about doing something!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!... If each Indian does his job both sincerely and devotedly, most ills & flaws will fall in place.
ReplyDeleteKhudhi ko kar buland etna ka har takdeer khuda bande se puche bol bande teri raza kya hai….
thanks for appreciating.
ReplyDelete