Patriotism and Fundamental Duties
The feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it is known as Patriotism. In other words patriotism is an ideology of attachment to the homeland. Somebody has rightly said, “Patriotism is a thing of heart, A man is patriot if his heart beats true to his country.” The essence of patriotism is the sacrifice of personal interest to public welfare. A Sanskrit poet has rightly said,
जननी जन्म भूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयशी
Meaning: — Mother and motherland are better than the heaven.
Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it is wrong. Remember that thousands laid down their lives so that our country breath this day, never forget their sacrifice. Abraham Lincoln has once said:
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives, I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.
Our history is replete of many such personalities on which nation is always proud of. One such person is our reverend Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh was born in a Sikh Jat family on 27th Sept 1907. He became involved in numerous revolutionary activities and taken a pledge to make India an independent nation. Lala Lajpath Rai was killed mercilessly at the hands of the British Police. Bhagat Singh wanted to take revenge for this incident. He became involved in murder of British Police Officer John Saunders. The police tried to capture him however Bhagat Singh was successful in avoiding arrest. He along with Batukeshwar Dutt made a plan to bomb the central legislative assembly. He exploded two bombs in the assembly. They shouted slogans of revolution and threw pamphlets. After the bombarding, they surrendered and subsequently imprisoned. He took 116 days fast in the jail to demand equal political rights for British as well as Indian prisoners. He wanted to die for the nation so that his death would inspire the youth of India to fight the British Empire. Bhagat Singh and two others wrote a letter to Lord Irvin where they asked to be treated as prisoners of war and consequently to be executed by firing squad and not to be killed by hanging.
Prannath Mehta, Bhagat Singh’s friend visited him in the jail on the 20th March 1931, 4 days before his execution, with a draft letter for clemency but he declined to sign it. He was executed on 23rd March, 1931. Thus he has given ultimate sacrifice to inspire the youth of the nation to over throw British rule.
Somebody has rightly said,
शहीदों के चीताओं पर लगेंगे हर वर्ष मेले,
वतन पर मरने वालों का यही अंतिम निशाँ होगा |
Nation will always remain proud of our honorable leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Chandar Shekhar Azad, Rajguru, Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi etc. who brought freedom to our country. There are many honorable people who have given their ultimate sacrifice to make sure that India remains independent and nobody should dare to look towards our motherland. They lived and died to keep our motherland sovereign and independent. Patriotism teaches us to give everything for the development of the nation. If need be you should be ready to give ultimate sacrifice. In the words of Thomas Jafarson, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants”.
Stories of some of the very few such brave and courageous sons of Mother India are as under:-
1962 Sino-Indian War:
During Sino-Indian Conflict 1962, 13 Kumaon was deployed in Chushul sector. The C company of battalion was led by Maj Shaitan Singh held a crucial position at Rezeng La at height of 500 meters. The company area was defended by five platoon positions and terrain isolated it from rest of the battalion. The expected Chinese attack on Rezeng La came on 18 Nov in the morning. It was seen that Chinese were advancing through nullahas to attack 7 and 8th platoon locations. At 0500 hours when visibility improved both troops started firing on advancing enemy with rifle, grenade, MMG (Medium Machine Gun) and Mortars. Nullahas were littered with dead bodies of Chinese.
Chinese started heavy artillery and motor fire at 0540 hours, more than 400 Chinese troops commenced advancing through nullahas. No 9 platoon fired with all available weapons in their possession. Soon, Nullah was full of dead bodies. Failing in frontal attack, the enemy attacked from the rear with much higher strength on No 8 platoon. The attack was contained, enemy resorted to heavy arty fire. An assault group of 200 Chinese also charged No 7 platoon from rear. Hand to hand combat started but enemy brought fresh reinforcements and encirclement of 7th platoon was complete. Platoon fought last round last man and there were no survivor. Major Singh, company commander, exhibited exemplary leadership and courage in the battle of Rezeng La. While controlling many of the posts, he was seriously wounded but he continued to fight along with his men. While getting evacuated Chinese brought heavy MMG fire on him. Major Singh sensed the danger and told his troops to leave him behind a boulder on the slope of hills where he breathed his last. In this battle 109 kumoni troops were killed out of 123. Chinese suffered almost 400–500 causalities.
Major Shaitan Singh was awarded PVC for his supreme courage, leadership and devotion to duty posthumously.
It is rightly said by unknown soldiers in Kohima, “When you go home, tell them of us, tell them for your tomorrows we gave our todays”.
1971 Indo-Pak War:
Capt DS Ahlawat was commissioned in Dogra Battalion. He belongs to family with four generation in military service. During Indo Pak war 1971, 10 Dogra was deployed in Punjab sector on western front. The Battalion was asked to launch an attack on Dera Baba Nanak Bridge on night of 5th Dec with objective to capture the eastern end of bridge. The bridge was well protected by concrete embankment with Anti Tank gun and heavy & light automatics. Capt Ahlawat was assigned task to occupy Link Bund & Rail Bund. Advance of company was held up due to heavy MMG firing from pill box. All attempts to destroy pill box failed and in this process company suffered heavy causalities. With total disregard for his life, he charged upon pill box with a dash. He grabbed hot machine gun with his right hand and silenced the gun by throwing a grenade in pill box with his left hand. This could enable company to make a charge and over run objective. In this bold attempt Capt Ahlawat lost his life, suffering six bullet wounds. He hung on machine gun barrel till the end. For this conspicuous gallantry & supreme sacrifice Capt Ahlawat was honored with Mahavir Chakra posthumously.
1999 Kargil War:
Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey took part in series of boldly led attacks during operation Vijay, forcing back the intruders with heavy losses in batalik including the capture of Zubar Top. On the night of 2nd 3rd July 1999, during the advance to Khaluba as his platoon approached his final objective, it came under heavy and intense enemy fire from the surrounding heights. Lt. Pandey was tasked to clear the interfering enemy positions to prevent his battalion from getting day lighted, being in a vulnerable position. He quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and he proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. Fearlessly, assaulting the first enemy position, he killed two enemy personnel and destroyed the second position by killing two more. He was injured on the shoulders and legs while clearing third position undaunted and without caring for his grievous injuries, he continued to leave the assault on fourth position urging his men and destroyed the same with a grenade, even he got a fatal burst on his forehead. This singular dare devil act of Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey provided the critical firm base for the companies, which finally led to capture of Khalubar, the officer, however, succumbed to his injuries.
Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, thus, displayed most conspicuous bravery, indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest tradition of Indian Army. In recognition of the above Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded Param Veer Chakara, India’s highest medal for Gallantry, posthumously. He has written in his personal diary, “Some goals are so worthy, its glorious event to fail”. He has also written, “If death strikes before I prove my blood, I promise I will kill the death”.
Patriotism means you should be selfless and you must take care of well-being of fellow citizens. You should work for peace and harmony, integrity and dignity for one people, one nation and one flag. It is pertinent to quote Pauline Hanson, “To survive in peace and harmony, united and strong we must have One People, One Nation, One Flag”. George Bernard Shaw has once said, “Patriotism is your conviction that this country superior to all others because you were born in it”. Patriotic people must always be prepared to fight against internal and external enemies. At present, our internal and external enemies are poverty, corruption, ignorance, terrorism, profiteering, black marketing; patriots must fight against these with tooth and nail.
Swami Vivekananda was asked by an English friend on the eve of his departure, “Swami how do you like now your motherland after 4 years’ experience of the luxurious, glorious and powerful west?” I could only answer, “India, I loved before I came away. Now, the very dust of India has become holy to me, the very air is now holy to me, it is now the holy land, the place of pilgrimage, the Tirtha”. Patriotic people always evaluate and fight against social evils such as child marriage, castism, fantasism, instant Talak etc. and they keep striving for all round excellence in all spheres. In the words of Gems Brice, “Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong”.
Patriotism can be inculcated amongst the children by setting self-example by the elders. I think patriotism is like a charity — it begins at home. A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and soul of its people. Remember India is such a tolerant country which believes in unity in diversity. Off let some of the people in some of the renowned universities have been found sloganeering against their own nation and their national interest. They should listen to the voice of Eqwal,
वतन की फ़िक्र कर नादान, मुसीबत आने वाली है |
तेरी बर्बदीयों के मशवरे है, आसमानो में ना समझोगे तो मिट जाओगे |
ऐ हिंदुस्तान वालों तुम्हारी दास्तान तक भी ना होगी दास्तानो में |
Remember that, it is the love of the country that has lighted and keeps glowing the holy fire of patriotism. He loves his country best who strives to make it best. In the words of John F Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.
Fundamental Duties: -
The fundamental duties are defined as moral obligation of all citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India.
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India —
· To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
· To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
· To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
· To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
· To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
· To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
· To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures;
· To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
· To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
· To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity, so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement;
· Who is a parent or guardian, to provide opportunities for education to his child, or as the case may be, ward between the age of six to fourteen years.
(This fundamental duty has been added to the Constitution of India by the 86th constitutional amendment in 2002)
There is difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first, whereas nationalism is when hate for the people other than your own comes first. Therefore patriotism and nationalism are different things. Vivekananda has rightly said, “Practical patriotism means not a mere sentiment or even emotion of love of motherland but a passion to serve our fellow countrymen”. At the end India is a great nation, I will like to quote Eqwal again as under:
कुछ बात है कि हस्ती मीटती हमारी
सदीयों रहा है दुश्मन दौरे जमा हमारा
सारे जहाँ से हमारा हिंदुस्ता हमारा
In the words of Poet Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
ऐ वंदन की धरती है, अभिनंदन की धरती है,
ये अर्पण की भूमि है, ये तर्पण की भूमि है |
इसकी नदी नदी गंगा है, इसका कंकर कंकर शंकर है,
हम जीएँगे तो भारत के लिए, मरेंगे भारत के लिए |
