
Patriotism’ is a fascinating word for youth of any country. For this word fills in them a zeal to serve the nation with utmost commitment and dedication. A Patriot is defined in a dictionary as a person devoted to the duty of defending the country’. Hence ‘patriotism’ is related with the act of defending one’s country when the time necessitates.
But the youth of Coastal Karnataka are discovering and redefining the spirit of patriotism. “We emphasise a lot on defending our country, when attacked by enemy. But we often forget the fact that waging a war against rampant corruption too is as important as disarming the enemy” says Prakash G R, a student of MSW at SDM College in Ujire. Waging a war against the enemy in the battlefield alone is not patriotism. ``Grabbing initiatives to eradicate social evils is also an act of patriotism,'' he insists.
Sanskrit lecturer in Bhandarkar’s College, Kundapur, Prasanna Kumar Aithal express opinions in a similar vein. “This nation belongs to us. We must develop a concern for this land of sages and saints. This concern will prompt us to work for the country rather than working for self. “Let there be no doubt that the soldiers braving bullets fired by the enemy is an extraordinary act of patriotism. But, becoming a soldier is not the only way to express patriotism,’’ he believes.
The love for their motherland which compels individuals to protect and preserve land, rivers, forests, natural resources is patriotism, according to me, the lecturer adds. Every inch of this land belongs to us. This nature is ours. Every individual on this land is my brother/friend. This is the true spirit of patriotism. The obnoxious attitude that refuses to accept the poorest of the poor as our own is not patriotism” Rohinaksha Shirlalu, Kannada lecturer at Vivekananda College in Puttur Rohinaksha Shiralu asserts .
However, many youth are still discovering the spirit of patriotism. “Defending the country when the enemy attacks us is patriotism” says a post graduation student while another PG student is of the opinion that just loving your country is sign of patriotism”. Another student ,informs that patriotism cannot be defined.
Aithal adds. The British during their rule in India were the common enemy to every patriotic in this country. But as the country secured independence, the common enemy was vanquished and found a new enemy in the form of Pakistan. A surprising fact is that the organisations that raise their voice against poor infrastructure are not being recognised by masses as patriots. Those who protest against deforestation, corruption, casteism aren’t yet referred as ‘patriots’. However, the intensity of their work is no less compared to a popular patriot.
When the nation is rejoicing its 62nd independence day it is the time for all of us to be patriotic and make ourselves clear on what patriotism actually is. Some can never become soldiers due to many factors. For those who cannot join the armed forces and show their patriotism, practicing the ideals propounded in the Constitution of India in both letter and spirit is certainly a true and simplest way to be patriotic!
Author is a student of Journalism and Mass Communication | joshi.viju@gmail.com





