The youth demonstrate the power of patriotism on social media

Here is the entry that won third prize in the Seniors Category for the Essay Competition organised by Apeejay Education on ‘What does patriotism mean for the youth of today?’, written by  Nandan Sensarma, a student of class 10 at Apeejay School, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.

Some people believe patriotism is a quality, while others believe it is a value. Whatever it is, it refers to a person’s loyalty and affection for his or her country. This dedication may be engraved in a person’s heart from birth, or it may develop as they age. Patriotism, in whatever form it comes, is what binds a country together. It is essential for the youngsters of this country to understand what patriotism means in today’s society.

What is Patriotism?

The definition of patriotism is the devotion of a person to one’s country, but what does that imply in real life? When the national anthem plays, patriotism is that proud emotion that keeps our chins high and our chests broad. It’s the excitement we have when we win a gold medal at an international level. That emotion we get when our warriors show their mettle, when we watch our foes running. It’s that happy sensation when the economy is booming, and it’s that proud feeling when new billionaires emerge. It’s when we think first of the country, then of ourselves.

Patriotism in India

India has a long history of heroic patriots. The British Raj’s tyranny had brought us all together, resulting in this patriotism, and the rest is history. Rani Lakshmi Bai, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Captain Vikram Batra and Khudiram Bose are all synonyms for youth patriotism in India.

Rani Lakshmi Bai: There isn’t a single book about the Revolt of 1857 that doesn’t mention her. She defied society’s expectations, fought the British, and gave her life in the service of her nation, at a young age of 29.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh: If youth combined with patriotism had a name, it would be Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He rebelled against the British, and when he was sentenced to death, he showed no fear, instead caused the British to be frightened. At the tender age of 23, he proudly devoted his life to the country. His slogan, “Inquilaab Zindaabad,” is still alive and well in the hearts of Indians.

Captain Vikram Batra: He is the perfect answer to people who believe that patriotism vanished after Independence. When his fellow soldier was injured in the Kargil War, he didn’t hesitate to save him despite constant enemy fire, which resulted in his sacrifice at the age of 24.

Khudiram Bose: He is India’s unknown Bhagat Singh. He was convicted in the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case and executed as a result. He is the country’s second-youngest revolutionary. He was only 18 years old when he was hanged!

How patriotism in the youth has changed after Independence

Patriotism among the youth has remained high since independence. The procedures, however, have evolved. The issues that existed prior to independence, as well as the solutions to them, were vastly different from those that exist today. Wars, for example, seem to be no longer pretty common, but social and economic challenges are. As a result, the methods have evolved, but the spirit of patriotism has remained unchanged.

Many young people join the Indian Defence Forces with zeal, but this isn’t the only method with which they exhibit their patriotism, as it was before Independence. They have made their motherland proud and will continue to do so in their own ways.

Youth in today’s world

Today’s youth are the descendants of outstanding youth leaders from the past. Their techniques may have evolved, but their ultimate purpose remains the same: to help our country achieve greatness.

How proud would it make us to claim that my country’s space agency is ranked fifth among the best space agencies in the world? Or to claim that my country is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies? The youth have played a significant role in this, and they are now working to uplift the economy further with development and researches.

Social media and the youth

If there’s one thing that has been a huge part of today’s youth, it’s social media. Almost every youngster has an account in social media. It does have its negative effects, but there are its own positives too. Many people have made their whole careers from it. In fact, many good things have happened with the help of social media.

‘Baba ka Dhaaba’ case

 Last year, when the entire country was suffering from losses due to the lockdown, a video of an old couple working hard to make ends meet went viral. They were working in a small food stall in Delhi, where they had been working since decades. They could be seen crying, and the YouTuber who was recording it promised to make their video go viral and told that he will help them. He did keep his promise, and hundreds of people gathered near their eatery and helped them. Other big influencers requested people who don’t reside in Delhi to help other small businesses around them during the lockdown which are struggling to make ends meet. This caused a huge sensation among the youth all over India, and helped many needy people. This was the most recent example when social media demonstrated its power of patriotism through the youth. 

Conclusion

So, the question arises: What does patriotism mean to the youth of today? The simple answer is that it still means the same as it did 100 years ago, just that the challenges, the issues, the priorities and the media have changed, but the goal at the end remains the same.

Jai Hind!