Maj Gen Sanjeev Dogra (Retd)
Every Independence Day, we see flags hoisted, slogans raised, and patriotic songs playing across cities and towns. But when the last note fades and the tricolour is folded away, what remains? What does patriotism truly look like beyond national holidays and social media posts? In a nation as vast, diverse, and aspirational as India, it’s time we ask ourselves a difficult but necessary question-are we simply celebrating the idea of India, or are we actively building it every day?
To answer that, we must first understand the distinction between a state and a nation. A state is a political structure-defined by borders, a constitution, governance, and institutions. A nation, however, is a collective spirit-an emotional and cultural bond shaped by shared history, heritage, and ideals. India, as a civilizational entity, has long existed as a nation. The state of India, born in 1947, was the legal framework that followed. In the decades since, the relationship between the two has evolved, sometimes in harmony, sometimes in tension. And it is here that patriotism plays a binding role-connecting citizen to both state and nation.
Yet, today, patriotism is often misunderstood, even misused. It is increasingly confused with nationalism-a concept that, while born from the same root, takes a very different path. Nationalism tends to draw its strength from exclusivity and identity politics. It thrives on emotion, often requiring an adversary to unite against. In contrast, patriotism is inclusive. It is not about uniformity, but about unity. It does not silence questions-it encourages them. It does not merely demand loyalty-it inspires contribution. In times of war, disaster, or existential threat, nationalism becomes necessary-to rally a people, to defend the homeland, to assert sovereignty. But in times of peace and progress, it is patriotism that must take the lead, quietly strengthening the democratic fabric through ethics and action.
This is not just philosophical-it is practical. If we look at the world’s most prosperous and content nations-Sweden, Japan, Finland, Canada-they are not loud about their nationalism. Instead, their people exhibit lived patriotism: paying taxes diligently, respecting public spaces, volunteering in communities, and trusting institutions. In Tokyo, people clean their seats after a football match. In Helsinki, pedestrians wait at traffic lights even when roads are empty. In Ottawa, people form orderly queues without being told. These are not dramatic acts, but they reflect a deep respect for the nation’s values.
India, on the other hand, finds itself becoming what one might call a distracted democracy. We are expressive, yes-passionate, even. But often reactive, not reflective. We debate elections with fervour, but skip voter registration deadlines. We idolise soldiers on social media, yet casually flout basic civic rules. We demand accountability from the Government, but hesitate to practise the same in our homes, schools, and communities. This gap between symbolism and substance is where patriotism must evolve.
The call today is for a new morality of patriotism-one that moves beyond tokenism and embeds itself into daily life. This new patriotism must rest on five simple but powerful pillars:
First, integrity-doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Paying taxes, refusing bribes, keeping one’s word. Second, social responsibility-treating public spaces as our own, helping neighbours, lifting the underprivileged, respecting women. Third, civic participation-voting, understanding policies, engaging in dialogue, questioning with facts. Fourth, respect for law and institutions-following traffic rules, honouring court rulings, preserving constitutional values. And fifth, self-education and constructive dialogue-learning our history, understanding our Constitution, debating without hate.
The Indian soldier stands ready at the border, not for applause, but for the idea of India. And that idea is only as strong as the citizens who uphold it. As someone who wore the uniform for nearly four decades, I can say with certainty: the strength of the armed forces is not just in their training or firepower, but in the belief that the nation behind them is ethical, united, and worth defending. The soldier’s service is visible; the civilian’s patriotism must be equally meaningful.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Jammu and Kashmir, my homeland. From 1947 through Kargil and the decades of insurgency, we have lived patriotism as a daily reality-not a concept, but a choice. We have seen conflict, propaganda, and pain. Yet the people of J&K, time and again, have stood strong with deep patriotism. Our youth today are joining skill missions, civil services, and national institutions-not out of compulsion, but conviction. In a land scarred by violence, this is what silent patriotism looks like.
Of course, we also witness moments of discord-the Agniveer protests, instances of mob violence, floods where civic cooperation breaks down. But then we also see hope-in the quiet work of volunteers, in Olympic athletes from humble towns, in teachers shaping young minds in remote villages. These are our everyday patriots. They don’t carry the flag on their shoulders-they carry it in their actions.
As the freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil wrote with fire in his soul:
“Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaaredilmeinhai,
Dekhnahaizorkitnabaazu-e-qatilmeinhai.”
That spirit was about sacrifice for the nation. Today, the same spirit must inspire us to live for the nation-not with slogans, but with sincerity.
India is at an inflection point. We are young, digital, and ambitious-but also polarised and impatient. The time has come to shift from event-based patriotism to ethics-based patriotism. It is not enough to love India on 15th August and 26th January. We must honour her in the remaining 363 days-with our honesty, our empathy, and our discipline.
Let us teach our youth that patriotism is not about outshouting the other. It is about outworking oneself. It is not about blaming-it is about building. Not about looking back in nostalgia, but about walking forward with purpose.
As we stand on the threshold of another Independence Day, let us ask-not how loudly we love India, but how deeply we live for her. The Tiranga deserves more than a place on our walls; it deserves a place in our values, choices, and character.
Because in the final reckoning, true patriotism is not how much you say you love your country. It’s how much your country benefits from the way you live.
(The author is an expert in Decision Sciences and is a motivational speaker)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
