15th August, Independence day, every Indian knows what the day is all about.
I was travelling back from work that night on office cab it was raining very hard. The streets were clogged with rain water not sure of what is ahead the car was moving at slow pace. The vehicle hit a bump while trying to avoiding a gutter and the noise confirmed that lower portion of the vehicle must have hit something. It was drizzling outside, the driver got out to check if the damage was maximum. The scratch was at the interior portion as the driver had to bend and check it out. He got up looking satisfied, the damage must have been less that what he anticipated. His shirt was soiled as he had to bend check the damage. First thing he did after getting up was to wipe the dirt of the National flag he had pinned to his uniform. I was seated on the back seat and was watching the entire scene, I know this was what everyone would have or should have done, but was happy to see that happen.
We are in a world where everything is express fast and things are changing at greater speed. There was time when I was kid, I was excited to see the “Parade” on “DD National” , but now I am not sure the kids know if such a thing happens on Independence day! Of course they will know what Independence day stands for, they have been fed with the details of day so that they can nail the “two mark” question in social studies exam! I am not blaming anyone but this is what the world we are in( and I am very much a part of it!). Even for the current generation the word “patriotism" is becoming a synonym for supporting Indian cricket team. It is not that the people don’t love their country but most of them are not sure what is to be done. I am very sure every Indian gets upset and angry about terrorism. Every Indian gets emotional when they listen to vande mataram song or this scene from roja.
Current generation has the emotion, it has the anger, it has the willingness to succeed. The support for “India against corruption” is an example. But then the word patriotism is losing its depth, it should be more than just a status on Facebook or tweet in twitter. The “India against corruption” movement has lost the vigor it had at the beginning. The Indians in the past have fought a much bigger battle, they literally had death staring at them at the hands of British. But the current scenario is much different, the equation looks simple yet the results are far far away.
The main difference, in simple words, between the past and present are the leaders. People trusted the Gandhi’s and Netaji’s, people were ready to fight along side them. Why I say this is cause, during the current “India against corruption” the spark created was intense, the youngsters were ready to follow what the leaders wanted. Every Indian Facebook account holders was part of “India against corruption” group, there were meetings in beaches, candle light rally. But then every form of protest vanished and yet the problem remains, in fact the problem has became even more bigger! People are losing their interest, frankly it will be even more worse if their anger is replaced by the acceptance.
The current generation is the one which has seen the transition, It has seen the Doordarshan as well as the latest High definition. This generation has survived the school days without internet or mobile phone, it has the patience and ability. The next generation has a silver spoon in its mouth already, spending an evening with friends involves a “Budget” but current generation knows how to spend quality time without a penny. The future generation may or may not understand the depth of patriotism. The current generation knows “Patriotism” is much more than supporting a team but unfortunately it is handicapped, doesn’t know what to do or whom to look up or believe. We have lots of angry young men but unfortunately very less enlightened leaders to show the path. As the saying goes "Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime" may be this is the right time to start!
