The Changing Definition of Patriotism
Think global and be global.
It's been sixty three years since we got our independence. The independence was brought about by brave,courageous and patriotic people. We had People so madly in love with our country. The 'patriots' who were willing to die for our country. Patriotism was celebrated in those days and was something sacro-sanct. That was the need of the hour with widespread imperialism. Countries trying to overpower each other.
But in today's highly globalized world the word 'patriotism' is scoffed at. Because excessive love for one's country breeds hatred against other countries. Today an individual is first a global citizen and then the citizen of his country. It is about replacing one's love for his country with love for humanity and love for mother earth. The rapid globalization fueled by capitalist economies has forced people to think beyond the borders of one's own country and think at a global level.
People should realize that borders were created by mankind for just ease of governance and no other reason. Now all of a sudden we realize how interdependent we are on each other. Every country is dependent on many other countries for its sustenance. We wear clothes produced by people in some other country. We eat food produced by farmers in some other country. We study with people from different countries. We work with people from different countries.
Therefore it is no more appropriate to limit our vision to a national level. We have to expand our horizon to a global level. The multi-national presence in our society just reaffirms our need to show tolerance towards the culture of people from other nationalities. Time has come to throw out the old school of thought where we view people from other countries as distinct from us. Patriotism should redefine itself such that it enables each one of us to view everyone as one single entity called mankind and work together to achieve greater standards of living for each one of us.
But in today's highly globalized world the word 'patriotism' is scoffed at. Because excessive love for one's country breeds hatred against other countries. Today an individual is first a global citizen and then the citizen of his country. It is about replacing one's love for his country with love for humanity and love for mother earth. The rapid globalization fueled by capitalist economies has forced people to think beyond the borders of one's own country and think at a global level.
People should realize that borders were created by mankind for just ease of governance and no other reason. Now all of a sudden we realize how interdependent we are on each other. Every country is dependent on many other countries for its sustenance. We wear clothes produced by people in some other country. We eat food produced by farmers in some other country. We study with people from different countries. We work with people from different countries.
Therefore it is no more appropriate to limit our vision to a national level. We have to expand our horizon to a global level. The multi-national presence in our society just reaffirms our need to show tolerance towards the culture of people from other nationalities. Time has come to throw out the old school of thought where we view people from other countries as distinct from us. Patriotism should redefine itself such that it enables each one of us to view everyone as one single entity called mankind and work together to achieve greater standards of living for each one of us.
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