What is the difference between Nationalism and Patriotism?

Are we motivated to become a nationalist or dedicated to become a patriot?

Patriotism can be defined in a sentence as “ I love my country “ . I am more affectionate and willingness to defend my country.  Patriotism focuses on people. Gandhi said that the cult of patriotism teaches individuals have to die for family. Family for village. Village for district, District for province and province for country. Patriotism is humanity. It makes human and humane. It is not exclusive. A patriot never hurt other countries to serve own country.

 Gandhi ji says “I want the freedom of my country so that others countries may learn something from my country….so that the resources of my country may be utilized for the benefit of mankind “

Nationalism whereas focuses on state not on people. In one sentence “My country is better than your country or My country is the greatest”.  Nationalism is a strong instrument to unite people at war time or freedom struggle. It unites people but unites against other people. Nationalism is guided by religious identity and political misgiving.  Partition in India and Japanese invaded China, are the outcomes of nationalism.  Internationalism is possible when nationalism becomes a fact. Nationalism is not evil. But narrowness, selfishness and exclusiveness of modern nations are evils. Each wants profit at the expenses of others and rises on the ruin of others.

Tagore says: Nationalism for years has been at bottom of India’s trouble.

Technology and Social Inequality

Technology has the revolutionary power and people around world are enjoying this. Still there are 

anxieties and challenges around the potential role of technology for our everyday lives. Technology is cheaper, widely usable and universally accessible. It does not change the fact that rich people afford more than poor. The successive changes in technology and polarized use of technical skills have created a social inequality.  

 Deskilling, Automation, Flexible employment and Just in Time are the modern reflections of inequalities.Gender pay gap and  formation of new social class are the add on for social inequality. 

Can technology and techies solve the social inequality? Answer is YES.

o   Techies should not be alienated from the mainstream of society. It means technology and technical people should focus on social issues, social justice and social participation. When a technology is socially acceptable by the people , it creates a revolution like social media movements.

o   Techies should make technology on the basis of social context. It should not be intuitive but it should fulfill the real needs.

o   Technology should not overpower us but it is used for empowerment. Overpower leads to misuse.

o   Techies and technology should be aimed at social engineering. Changes and development should rope in to the framework of capacity, policy and planning.

o   Finally technology should be like a bridge rather than like a jack, which connects but widens socio -economic gap.

Hinduism and Non violence

".Hinduism  with its message of ahmisa is to me the most glorious religion in the world as my wife to me is the most beautiful woman in the world but others may feel the same about their own religions" M K Gandhi 

It is the doctrine of ahimsa (nonviolence)and practice of ahimsa , which enhance the Hinduism as one of the religions of tolerance. With many hurdles and cultural barrios , the doctrine of ahimsa is still embed in the mainstream of Hinduism. It is growing and still encouraging many people to assimilate with this thought . Indians are not weak to be violent but it is the tradition of Hinduism and doctrine of ahimsa which makes Indians sublime. It takes a fraction of second to become a devil but it needs a generation of tolerance and social acceptability to become non-violent.

Ahimsa is the highest ideal. it is meant for the brave never for cowardly .Ahimsa is the great principle which no power on earth can wipe out. Ahimsa can be spread only by the believers.

So, believe in Non violence and practice Non-violence ….Hinduism promotes it.

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Father of a Country

Constructing an image of "Father of a country" for any one, should pass through the critical scrutiny and his contribution towards the fabric of the Nation. The legacy should be questioned. The tag "Father of Country" will erase much of the wrong decisions and doings. It increases the social acceptance without being contested. When this tag and his legacy are tagged with any political party, it enhances popularity and criticism both. Mzee Kenyataa was declared as father of the country in Kenya, he ruled for 15 years like a king, placed opposition leaders in house arrest, shared many lands and benefits to his own people. Still the country is idolizing him.

Making an Icon for any country and above all considering him as the Father Of the country is a process. In this process, he has to tolerate the friction of time and to face the critics. Sometime he is to being ignored and often getting prestige.  Father of a nation is a legend who is remembered for his sacrifice and identity. The tenacity of this type of role models always goes through a meticulous social experiment. It is a real litmus test to become a father of the nation and being worshiped by the people. They not only provide ideas but also emulate a pattern of constituent roles and inspire individual life by enlightening the soul.

Scrutiny & evaluate the legacy and let the history and people decide, who should be remembered as the father of the country. Because history is made by these legends.