Think what is patriotism after all?

Remember Dr Johnson’s wisdom: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”. Do we have patriotic politicians? Are our cricket players and other sportspersons who fix matches patriotic? Purchase of islands by Hindi film stars and sportspersons! Are they patriotic?

What is patriotism? Just by staying at home and watching the Tricolour flag being hoisted at Delhi’s Lal Killa on television? Respect for the country's flag, a desire to see your nation succeed, and a deep, abiding love of your country are all patriotic expressions, but being patriotic doesn't mean you think your country's perfect, just that you love it.

Staying in comfort in NJ and supporting Indian cricket team is not patriotism? Watching junk Indian Hindi films and telling “wonderful’ is not patriotism? Selling off the gifted and tax-rebate car is not patriotism? Wearing Luis Philip shirts and using imported gadgets is not patriotism?

The country has a variety of citizens; and each and every citizen contributes or makes India what it is at present. Some of the citizens are highly conscious of their acts and wish to change the country for the better.

A few are those who are too busy dealing with their own lives and seldom think about where the country is going. And the rest are well just there doing almost nothing for the country.

The problem is that the current state of the country ends up being a struggle for the conscious citizen and a gala time for the ones who are not bothered, but the world knows that a day will come when the conscious citizen will change the social landscape of our country. They will rule the nation and make it worth living in.

India has a lot of drawbacks too and it is the responsibility of the citizens to do away with them. Hence, a patriotic citizen will voice his opinions on the wrongdoings that happen in the country and about the things that are unjust, only to free the country from any sort of injustice.

August is a Patriotic Month of the year.

(The writer, a former SAIL Joint Director, is a Bhubaneswar-based senior citizen)