Patriotism’; a single and a simple word but it holds immense significance and concrete values. Patriotism is a feeling of love, care, affection and sincerity towards one’s country. It is a quality of nationalism and a fire of compassion that ignites people with concern for their country. It isn’t a vague noun that disappears into the category of abstract, but is euphoria felt by the living. Patriotism is an inevitable constituent of blood in men. In its absence, the souls become dead and hearts turn icy cold; for this one feeling keeps humanity and sanity alive in men.

Just like honesty, patriotism is an expensive gift; you cannot expect it from cheap people. True patriots with sincere patriotism are loyal watchdogs of the nation. History is evident that patriotism is such a miracle that can emanate a warrior from any ordinary self. Patriotism is what safeguards a country’s well-being. Our late soldiers and warriors who had fought fiercely against dreadful enemies were all guided by the unanimous feeling of love towards their land.  Noble men of history have never actually talked about themselves. Their knowledge, concerns, ideas and innovations were all dedicated towards the motherland. Great wars of past have made us come to a live rendezvous with extreme nationalism. Waves of revolution and independence have all been led by a chariot of bravery and courage with patriotism as the front-wheelers.

However, contemplating today’s world, where all a man cares about is; ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘myself’; patriotism has become similar to a rare and endangered species. People can give a lot of talks about feeling of nationality and patriotism but when it comes to practicality; these words remain a mere collection of English alphabets. We live in a world where everyday patriotism is murdered by the rise of terrorism, violence, conflicts and so much more. Brutal massacres continue by assassins. 

Here, hardly any hearts beat for the nation; rarely souls feel for fellow people, no brain thinks about saving the nation. The lands where once flags used to be waving despite smeared in bloods of martyrs have been doomed. Such a time has emerged where patriotism is dethroned every day. No armour of knights can protect the existence of nation. Instead, spears of vengeance, betrayal and corruption stabs the retainers of honesty, allegiance and dignity.

It’s high time for us to wake up and realise that ‘patriotism’ isn’t something you put in your speech, t-shirts or social sites’ walls. It is a truth that needs to be posted on the walls of our heart. Whether people like it or not, comment about it or not, we still need to pursue it. Because patriotism is a pursuit of ‘happiness’ where ‘happiness’ isn’t spelled with an ‘I’; the ‘I’ that is in each one of us.

The author is a studen of class 10 at LRI School