Defining Patriotism, the famous British thinker Bertrand Russell said that : "Patriotism is the willingness to kill and to be killed for trivial reasons." Hence, Patriotism is the willingness to kill and die for even the slightest reason. Our country India is full of such patriots. In every corner of the country there were, and are and will always be, those who would kill and die for the country. The mode of patriotism changes according to time, but the sentiment of patriotism remains of the same noble calibre.
In the year 2015, a distinctly patriotic incident occurred in England, the very country of Bertrand Russell. Shashi Tharoor was invited to speak on the topic "Britain owes reparations to her former colonies" at the Oxford Union Debate Series. There were eight speakers. His turn to speak was seventh. Besides being highly educated and possessing acute intelligence, Shashi Tharoor is also well known for his unparalleled command over the English language. Again his ideas possess a unique freshness, which are worth listening to. This intellectual debate was meant only for a British audience. In the presence of 450 luminaries, Shashi Tharoor in his short but brilliant and eloquent speech lasting for only 15 minutes, exposed the wrong doings of the British Empire with examples, arguments and with gusto. He spoke in such a way that all the titled dignitaries including Sirs, Lords and Hon'bles who were present there were totally ruffled.
A similar event almost like a repetition occurred once again on the ninth of November 2021 in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, England. An international conference on colonization and carbon emissions was organized there. Many people from all around the globe participated in this event. Shri Vijay Prasad, the eminent journalist, historian and author was present on behalf of India. In response to a question in the debate, he launched a scathing attack on the accusatory habits of the West. His speech and accent were fierce. But it was absolutely in context. He also openly called out British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, American President Joe Biden and French President Macron. Eventually, one needs to speak in the same language and tenor that people understand. Non-violence does not always quell violence.
Two years ago, this kind of patriotism was also displayed in the UN. In the year 2021, Imran Khan, the then prime minister of the hapless and helpless terrorist country of Pakistan, publicly blamed India at the UN for abetting terrorism in his absolute useless speech, where he tried to unsuccessfully show his utterly violent country as a victim of terrorism. According to the UN protocol India had the right to reply under the first right of reply. Sneha Dubey (First Secretary India Mission in United Nations) who was present there on behalf of the country responded with total calm and tact in a style that fully simmered down Imran and entire Pakistan. After her sharp speech, the enemy country had no room to speak or defend anything. His huffed and menacing face was exposed to the entire world. This was an unparalleled display of patriotism by a daughter of India. Such patriotism can be seen in crores of Indians. No matter whether they stay...within the country or abroad, there is a sense of patriotism in everyone.
Mahant Swami Maharaj is trying to keep the torch of such patriotism shining bright. In accordance with his wish, the organization has prepared a patriotic show called Bharatanand. The show provides a beautiful guidance to how patriotism can be shown in different ways. The show is divided into three sections. 1) Cleaniness 2) Water and electricity conservation 3) Mandatory helmet. Within the show, it is elaborated that if we all pay attention to at least these three things, then India will definitely progress. And we can very easily put all these points into immediate action. In 2016, a video of the show was screened to the public for the first time during a grand festival in Surat. Thousands of people watched this and were determined to do something in that direction. To ensure that even the smallest child of the society can show patriotism, the saints by way of a special program visit the tribal and rural areas with a message for all to display their patriotism. Apart from this, saints and workers are continuously putting commendable efforts to explain this novel way of patriotism by going from house to house and from hut to hut.
This is also a unique way to show patriotism. If all the countrymen gain awareness in this way, then the country will progress to unimaginable heights. A lot of work has been done in this direction but a lot remains to be done. Each person can be patriotic by contributing to patriotism in his/her own way.
Thanks Giving
This article is written and submitted to The E Today by Sadhu Amrutvadandas. We thank swamiji for his research and analysis and hope to see the awareness about life and peace being spread ahead to larger mass of our citizens.