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.
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