My Definition – Nationalism is a direction of thought, deed and action that is completely aligned with the best interest of the people of ones own nation. It is an outside in approach when people think about the compounded effect on the nation of their personal thought, deed and action on a daily basis. Eg – Respect for fellow citizens, disposing waste appropriately, caring for public/national property, etc.
Man is a social animal and cannot survive by himself. While he transitioned from an ape to a civilized being, he continued to keep himself a part of the family/society. Not just the heads of the ape groups but every single member stuck together, as it was a question for their survival. If they wouldn’t hunt in a group, they would be hunted. Our ancestors then began to hunt in communities. This added more power & safety for themselves. As the communities grew big, they needed more catch, that took them further from their families. So they decided to break into smaller communities and relocate nearer to their catchment areas. This being the cause behind the formation of societies. Over time this semi civilized man got a taste of the evil thought. The thought of wanting more than others. From thinking about community first we’ve slowly degenerated to thinking me first.
Every action has an equal opposite reaction. While the circle of existence started to expand from family to society to city to state to nation, the circle of care, dependability, trust and integrity – inversely shrunk from nation to caste to religion to state to city to community to family and in some extreme cases to oneself. Today we are a nation of 1.3 billion people completely divided by religion, caste and sects. What we forget is the rules of engagement still apply. If we are not together, we will be hunted. While some of you will counter this by saying look at all Muslims beings killed, the dalit being raped, Kashmiri Hindus being kicked out etc…..what you are failing to realize is that – we will be hunted if we don’t stick together. Sticking together as Hindus? Or Muslims? Well we could still be instigated against each other. And we have seen many such instances. Sticking together as language spoken ? We still witness states discriminating people from other states. Sticking together as humans ? Big joke.
A strong individual = strong family = strong society = strong city = strong state = strong nation.
What we must understand about religion as a ‘so called intellectual and civilized society’ is – uniting people under religious preferences is as ridiculous as uniting people based on their favorite food. RELIGION is a PERSONAL choice of an individual. It can change. So can a Kannadiga choosing to build his business in Assam and settling there for generations, is a personal choice. So can someone from a Dalit background work hard and transforming their and their family’s life and become one of the highest taxpayers. So does a woman belong to a new family after her marriage. So, as long as we allow ourselves to be divided into sects of ‘Personal Choice’, we will continue to be abused & hunted.
We got our independence by fighting together. We were enslaved while we were divided into kingdoms.
The only sect that is not really your choice, is your nationality (not for those who feel ashamed of their nation and wish to change their citizenship). The only way to unite 1.3 billion people as one entity is nationalism. And this has not been new. We felt the sense of nationalism when Rakesh Sharma represented India into space. When Kapil Dev and his team won the world cup. And we still feel the sense of nationalism when Indians from across the world achieve great recognition. But this is, in a way quite selfish. Selfish coz we use nationalism to make others success our own and take pride in it. But when it comes to standing up for someone who is our own, we look for their state, sect, religion …..
They want us to stay divided…..
Every nation has traitors. Traitors for me are those who create divide to monetize their vested interests. Who speak ill of Nationalism. Who do not want people to put country first. NATIONALISM doesn’t always mean think alike. Nationalism means putting country first. 2 nationalists can fight over a debate and disagree. And that is fine. I’ve chosen the term traitor after a lot of thought. I couldn’t find a better adjective. There are a few news channels, politicians and pseudo intellectuals coming down heavily on those speaking about nationalism. They try to paint the nationalists orange or red. These traitors do not want you to understand that the only way to unite a nation that has already been divided by religion, caste, state, financial status etc for over a century, is the spirit of being Indian – the only way forward. I’m not suggesting that we have lost our nationalism, but I can see it erode gradually.
Democracy gives you the freedom of personal choice. It doesn’t give you the freedom to discriminate people based on their personal choice.
The smaller we think the more divided we are. I believe, the one who introduces himself as – An Indian will have far less chances of being discriminated, than the one who says – I’m a ‘religion’ from ‘community’ from ‘state’. Can you imagine what would happen when a group of Hindus are beating a Muslim who is shouting ‘Vande Mataram’ ? Those Hindus immediately get tagged as anti nationals. The same thing will happen when a groups of Muslims are beating a Hindu who is shouting ‘Vande Mataram’. Those Muslims get tagged as anti nationals. Plz understand my fellow Indians – no body can hurt you as long as you identify yourself as an Indian. No indian watching this atrocity will stand quite. People gathered around, watching those being hit will come together in national spirit and chase those who are breeding communal disharmony. The whole communal conflict was the creation of the British. And those who benefit from such conflict keep us divided.
Next time when you vote, plz make sure you think of the National Leadership. Not just the one who will represent you at your constituency. If you feel the one contesting in your locality is honest but represents a dishonest leadership at the center, then you must discuss this issue, contemplate the pros and cons and decide on what you must do. Do not vote for those who favor religion. Vote for merits. The traitors do not want an awakened nation. They do not want people to be united. As those united shall rule. The fact that media constantly uses the term ‘The Ruling Party’ is a way to put it in your mind that you have no power.
In a democracy, there must a ‘Serving Party’ that people choose. As politically neutral I’d like to be, I like what our PM calls himself – Pradhan Sevak. We are the rulers. And as rulers we must put our kingdom first. Those trying to tell you that being nationalist is a fade – are the ones who want you to get beaten up, by their own communists, as then they get your votes coz they speak for your atrocities.
It’s time we woke up. It’s time we put India first. It’s time we stopped being identified with out personal preferences of religion, caste, state, language etc. It’s time to build India as a Democratic Nation.
Jai Hind
Chucky Rowe
Close Protection & Counter Terrorism Operative & Instructor*
Founder & Program Director – SKIP Armor
SKIP Armor 
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