What does patriotism mean to India’s youth?

By: Sudiksha Sisodia

What is the first thing that crosses your mind when you hear “Patriotism”? Every one of us has a distinct definition of the word.  But the general meaning of this word has substantially changed since it was first coined. Prior to British colonisation of India, patriotism essentially meant blindly following the monarch, including paying unfair taxes and fighting inhumane wars to avoid punishment. After colonisation, patriotism shifted to serving Mother India and retaliating against the British to restore the country’s glory. But now that our country has relished over 75 years of freedom, what does “Patriotism” mean for the youth of our country?

The youth is aware that being patriotic towards the nation is everyone’s responsibility, since each one on this earth, is contributing to  form the nation. They are enthusiastic followers of the celebrated philosophy of “Vasudhayva Kutumbakam,” which states that ‘everyone is family’. The youth wants to ameliorate our country and aspires to provide everyone with the same rights, luxuries, and prospects.  They freely exercise their fundamental rights, while ensuring they do not infringe on the rights of others.  The youth strive to make everyone feel included, irrespective of gender, caste, or position. They want all inhabitants of the country to be able to express themselves freely without fear.  Although some criticise them for being soft power, the truth is, they want India to be capable, not aggressive. They do not aim to work above or against other countries, but to be self-sufficient enough to support other nations.

The youth of India acknowledge the fact that the country is not perfect and work hard to recognise valid criticism and improve upon it. They want to make India a safe haven for people from all walks of life, regardless of their genders, religions, races, and beliefs. Patriotism for them means finding ways to enhance India in everything they do, thereby making it not just a country, but a beacon of peaceful togetherness for everyone around the globe.