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{"id":9773,"date":"2010-08-14T08:40:00","date_gmt":"2010-08-14T08:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/drishtikone\/2010\/08\/my-country-right-or-wrong-patriotic-post-commemmorate-15-aug-2010\/"},"modified":"2010-08-14T08:40:00","modified_gmt":"2010-08-14T08:40:00","slug":"my-country-right-or-wrong-patriotic-post-commemmorate-15-aug-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/drishtikone\/2010\/08\/my-country-right-or-wrong-patriotic-post-commemmorate-15-aug-2010\/","title":{"rendered":"My Country, Right or Wrong: A Patriotic Post to commemmorate 15 Aug 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

This was a time when words like \u2018glasnost\u2019 and \u2018perestroika\u2019 had just begun to enter our vocabulary and you still did not need a \u2018day\u2019 nominated by some corporation to celebrate your mother or father or your neighbours dog! Slowly patriotism yielded to some other politically correct or incorrect \u2018ism and schisms started to form. Today we all realise that while what the Naxals are doing is incorrect, their grievances are genuine. That what Kalmadi is doing is wrong, but we can only rave and rant and blog about it. <\/p>\n

Folks, lets take stock. Lets ask ourselves that question \u2013 What am I doing for my country?<\/p>\n

Here are a few things that we can do to improve our lot and the country \u2013 please add more as they come to your mind. <\/p>\n

1. File an RTI. How many of us have actually done this? Finding a cause \u2013 a glaring instance of corruption, inefficiency or anything that needs to be addressed \u2013 should not be a problem. <\/p>\n

2. Support a Desi NGO. These are those unsung heroes, who are doing the real dirty work, one-on-one, without much support. It is easy to support the big guns \u2013 send the cheque in the mailers that they send you and get the receipt for the tax deductions and claim the benefits. But for once, do it for the cause and NOT the tax benefits!<\/p>\n

3. Teach. Not necessarily with an NGO. Educate a street urchin, a servant, a salesman, a colony sweeper\u2026anyone, but please teach anything worthwhile \u2013 a language, a procedure (e.g. to send money orders), a health habit (e.g. washing hands)\u2026something. <\/p>\n

4. Be responsible \u2013 follow rules. No \u2013 we are NOT like this only. Rules are meant to be followed, never mind if the rest of the cars behind you are honking away at you for stopping at a red light on an early Sunday morning. Rules are meant for reasons \u2013 sensible reasons (most of the time). Follow them. Be responsible \u2013 live responsible \u2013 take responsibility for your actions. Stick to queues, don\u2019t bribe if you can help it \u2026let the passport, driving licence or whatever take a little longer. <\/p>\n

5. Appreciate your country. It took me one year in a peacekeeping mission in Congo to realise how wonderfully blessed we are to be in a country like India, that is Bharat. Folks, this is one fantastic country. Appreciate it, revere it, love it and work at making it better (see motto above). It is in fashion to belittle your nation and very easy to bad mouth it, but ask yourself that one question\u2026What have I done to improve my country? <\/p>\n

6. Be positive \u2013 never give up, keep trying. Is desh ka kuch nahin ho sakta\u2026is desh ka bahut kuch ho sakta hain.Koshish to kijiye!<\/p>\n

Lets do it folks, let us be patriotic and proudly so. <\/p>\n

[This blog post is NOT for any competition sponsored by any company. It is my dedication to my country on Independence Day 2010.]<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"