ENOUGH OF PATRIOTISM !! - Citizen of the WORLD

Just as we approach India’s 60th Independence Day celebrations, I wonder if Patriotism is just enough. Firstly, “What’s patriotism?”



A lot of times I have wondered about the answer to this question . I have had a lot of arguments with some of my friends about this topic. Some of them believed that Patriotism very much exists while others just thought it was nothing but which is worth remembering once in 4 years and cheer for men in blue.






Is patriotism all about just singing your national anthem, and supporting your country in sports?What exactly is the definition of this word?


Wikipedia defines it as this:Patriotism denotes positive attitudes by a individuals to their own nation, to its national homeland, its culture, its members, and to its interests. The word is derived from the Latin patria, fatherland, which has a much broader meaning than a geographical territory.Dictionary definition of a nation is something along the lines of “love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it”So as we see, both these definitions involve the concept of a “Nation”…


Now my doubt in the definition of Patriotism first lies in the definition of Nation.


Wiki says here that:


One of the most influential doctrines in history is that all humans are divided into groups called nations. It is an ethical and philosophical doctrine in itself, and is the starting point for the ideology of nationalism. The nationals (the members of the “nation”) are distinguished by a common identity, and almost always by a common origin, in the sense of ancestry, parentage or descent. The national identity refers both to the distinguishing features of the group, and to the individual’s sense of belonging to it. A very wide range of criteria is used, with very different application. Small differences in pronunciation may be enough to categorise someone as a member of another nation. On the other hand, two people may be separated by difference in personalities, belief systems, geographical locations, time and even spoken language, yet regard themselves and be seen by others, as members of the same nation. Nationals are considered to share certain traits and norms of behaviour, certain duties toward other members, and certain responsibilities for the actions of the members of the same nation.So we see that there is a mention of a “Common Link” among the members of a nation. Now I can understand this quite easily if I am a citizen of a country that is as small as, lets say Iceland.On the lighter side, My great grandfather was perhaps a viking and viking blood might in fact flow in me as well .


But what if I am the citizen of USA or India for that matter. The whole country is made up of so many different cultures, so many different people and so many different languages that the above definition would surely not encompass such nations. A tamilian is ENTIRELY different in his way of life and looks and language from an Assamese. No way are they related.


So my question is this, “Does it really make sense to call the Tamilian and an Assamese as belonging to the same nation”?


I donot want to hurt any sentiments by asking these questions, but it is just that I am personally not convinced about the fact, that someone somewhere decided “Ok, so let us take this geographical mass , and call it a country”…and Lo , we have India.


If such diversity could still call itself one nation, then why not we include the whole world into one spectrum and be done with a world Nation.


Atleast some Indians could say they are related by the Indus Valley civilisation and that they all have some kind of a common ancestry. But what of the USA. They have Red Indians who are their actual natives. They have Great grandsons and daughters of British settlers, African slave’s laborers, Chinese merchants, Indian Software programmers, Indian doctors, Indian Scientists and what not?


Now does it even make sense to call such a diverse mix as having anything in common? They don’t even have a common ancestry for that matter.


The greatest comedy about the whole thing is that a huge mass in this world goes about their daily duties without even perhaps realizing that they have a false identity. When someone says “I am a citizen of such and such country”, does he realize that that piece of land has until now seen at least a 1000 different rulers, and a 1000 different languages and cultures since the time Man was born.


Let us take India for example:


If we say common ancestry as the unifying factor, then we ought to have Pakistan United with us…should we not? Why then do many of us have an ill feeling towards them?


In an England Pakistan match, why do we rather feel better if England wins? That is the saddest thing that could ever take place. England has dominated us and has ruled us for centuries just because they were technologically more advanced, and we want England to win a cricket match than Pakistan. (Although a cricket match in no way defines patriotism, but it is all these small things together which perhaps goes to define the big picture).


Another question is, Who has the right to define the borders of a country? Also why should I listen or obey to some rules that were set God knows how long ago and are still being followed.


Ask me, and I would break down all barriers in the world and opt for a world economy. One where we are just a human country.


I do know if what I say may be feasible in a practical sense, but I think it is high time one gave a thought about these things.






whatPatriotism is not a political tool to be used in conjunction with wedge issues to stir the emotions of ordinary citizens, enacting economic policies that primarily benefit major campaign contributors or demanding that one get reservations because he is so and so or justifying once act of bombing a country and proclaim world leader.






whatHow could I be patriotic to a nation when in this world,


5 million children die from hunger each year — one every five seconds.


Every year millions die in the battle field and another millions outside the battle field.


100 million people homeless






I support these great voices,






“The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?” - Casals, Pablo






“I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” - Cavell, Edith last words before execution (Edith Louisa Cavell was a British World War I nurse and humanitarian. She is celebrated for allegedly helping hundreds of allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium to the neutral Netherlands for which she was executed for violating the military law.)






“A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” - Curtis, George William






“I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world.” - Debs, Eugene V.






“Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them!” - Einstein, Albert






“Can anything be stupider than that a man has the right to kill me because he lives on the other side of a river and his ruler has a quarrel with mine, though I have not quarrelled with him?” - Pascal, Blaise


Do not just assume that you are a country member just because someone told you so or because you were born in a piece of land whose borders were drawn some 100 years before you even opened your eyes for the first time. Question those who have drawn the border and ask why that is so….






Let WORLD PEACE Prevail…

Be a “CITIZEN OF THE WORLD”

SHE WILL DO WHAT U DO !! BREAK THE ADDICTION

Last week I had the opportunity to stay in the hospital for 8 days. Nopes, This time it wasn’t me on bed. My dad underwent an open heart surgery and therefore my mom and I were with him. He got operated on Tuesday and from then on it was just waiting time for us. Since he was under observation for the rest of the few days, we were just waiting. Now, it’s easy for me to get impatient because I had nothing to do but for my mom, it’s different. She would talk to the relatives of the patients on the neighboring rooms. She would speak to nurses and the staff over there and she had indeed made many friends. What I noticed is that they some how seem to share their story with mom and it was so easy. Some how I got involved in two of these real sad stories that would inspire few and entertain others I guess. Me? I didn’t have an answer.







Mashuk is a cute little kid running around the hospital veranda with those little steps. Once while I was impatiently walking back and forth the veranda he bumped me. Before I could pick him he just ran. Just then my mom came to me. I asked her who the kid was. She said he is from the neighboring room. Mashuks mother came along. Mashuk was trying to hide behind her. She looked very weak and tired. Mashuk was trying to hide behind her. My mom knew her story. So my mom told me that her husband had undergone surgery and was in the adjacent room. Mashuk’s mom shared the remaining part of the story with me and my mother. As it’s known that in India in majority of the Muslim family the bread winner works abroad. Same is the case with the mashuk’s father. He used to work in Saudi along with his younger brother. I could imagine how hard it would have been on both of them to be away from each other for long time. Mashuk’s father was a chain smoker and he would never quite even though his wife had repeatedly asked him to do so. One fine day the inevitable happened. He had a mild heart attack. His colleagues were knowledgeable enough to give an aspirin and get him to hospital. He got an injection which saved him from another big attack. But he was declared as vulnerable by doctors. He decided not to come to India although his brother insisted that he should return to India. His brother somehow got him to resign for which he got thrown out of the company due to some company policies. His brother never repented for this. He was happy that his elder brother could now leave to India and get operated. They came to India and he got operated. Mashuk’s mom told me that he is addicted to smoking and she isn’t sure how she could get it off him. She could only ask him to swear that he wouldn’t smoke again looking at his cute little kid. I can’t imagine how many families have been destroyed by smoking. Every day Mashuks mom would go home and prepare food for her mother in law who was old and come back to hospital in a hurry, all this carrying little Mashuk around. It would be really sad to have little Mashuk grow without father around. Why don’t people understand? It’s a suicide. I can imagine the tremendous pain and agony that the family would go through if the bread winner is in the hospital bed. All this which could be avoided by being a responsible person.






My father was a chain smoker. He had a heart attack 14 years back and was diagnosed with heart problems with multiple blocks. Fortunately for me and my family he was responsible enough to understand. Not only did he quite smoking, but he went on a strict diet regime thereby avoiding the open heart surgery for 14 years. An open heart surgery 14 years back would have affected his family very bad, but I believe his sacrifice thought us a lesson. I always admired him and people always say that I must be proud of a father who has tremendous will power and patience and love for his family. After 14 years now it was time. His blocks were severe. Though initially he wasn’t ready to get operated we managed to change his mind. Last week when they put him back to the ward after the observation I was relieved and he was happy. I held him and made him walk. It was emotional to watch and be there. I felt good and satisfied and proud that I didn’t let his sacrifice go in vain. I couldn’t be more thankful.






Sorry for drifting away. What I would like people to know is that, you may have million reasons to stay smoking but if you could get the smoke cleared out of your view, you will know how many love you. They need you. Please don’t give reasons. It hurts your loved ones. Stop smoking for yourself. Personally for me, mashuks face could be the reason enough to stay alive.


Mashuk’s father wants to go back to suadi but mashuk’s mom who was almost in tears now told me that she would not allow him to go. She had suffered enough and it was time to take control. Money could buy you many things but not life and happiness.






Next day my mom was speaking to a girl in her 20’s she who was sitting on the bench outside the ICU and crying. She seemed to be alone. My mom asked her what has happened. She told us that her father was in ICU. He had and heart attack and yup he was a smoker. She said they were all 3 sisters and no relatives. She didn’t know what to do. Doctor’s have suggested open heart surgery but she got no money and she is the eldest of all. My mother could only console her. I could only watch and think about how different it would have been if and only if her father was responsible enough. You could ask me if he was admitted to the hospital for some other reason then what? Well, if’s and but’s don’t count. Smoking is suicide and could be avoided.






Later that week we meet 4 other families in which one or the other in the family is suffering from heart related illness. Majority of them were smokers. Some of them had little kids and some didn’t have any money and were broke. I understand how much a countries economy suffers due to these illnesses which is evitable. It’s a curse to the developing nation. Let’s be responsible towards our family and to ourselves.






Patrick Reynolds was the first tobacco industry figure to turn his back on the cigarette makers. He’s a grandson of the tobacco company founder R.J. Reynolds, but the family’s cigarette brands, Camel and Winston, killed his father and eldest brother.






Please visit this website if you want to know more. It might help you. You won’t repent. God bless all. To all smokers, “WE care, cigarettes don’t.” Please don’t smoke them out into thin air.



http://www.anti-smoking.org/children.htm