What is patriotism ? Doing something for your nation or simply lip servicing ?

Question

ON the cent. day of vande matram I SMSed it to all of my friends.I got the reciprocals immediately.Almost every Sms which I recieved in reply was in my praise. Suddenly I became the great patriotic.Suddenly everybody was proud of me.

I was shocked to know that all of my work which I did for the nation in the past and every one of my friends knew it well, never caught thier attention and I never got thier appreciation. Do I have to become un-sensible to my duty and just honour the calls of so called patriotic people so that I may also become a patriotic ???

Answer 1

Captain, you know the answer very well to your question and you have indicated so in your details.

Now for your friends' response and your consequential thinking: One thing for sure, whatever you are doing / have done for your country, it would give you immense sense of pride and satisfaction within without anyone remembering that or not. You need to shed that momentary absence of recognition by your friends etc. at any given time. People, in general, tend to react on your act of re-dedication to nation on an occasion and give preference / elevation, in those very moments of their happening, of that particular act of yours. This is the general human aspect of we human beings' behaviour.

Patriotism is a continuing effort by oneself for his / her nation. Whether in defence or civil duties, we all can contribute in a very significant way even by our small but continuous efforts. Remembering, greeting and positively responding on an occasion like on the cent. day of "Vande Matram" is also a token of our overall patriotic acts.

Keep up your good work for the nation, we are there to salute you, though may not be that obvious looking always.

Answer 2

Always think and act accordingly in favour of the nation.Do something for the betterment of the nation.Do your bit without wanting anything in return.