Independent thoughts

I am not a big fan of day-specific status updates or messages nowadays. However, I think this is a right opportunity to mull over the deeper connotations of independence and freedom.
As a person who does not have any strong political inclination, I find it very difficult to express myself without being abused and being called anti-national. To be very honest, it HURTS. It is tough to explain your love for the country while a larger population believes that patriotism is blindly supporting a certain political party or its leader, building a temple, mosque or church somewhere or branding an entire population as traitors just because you do not have a strong hold there. While I personally believe that love for the mankind is the key factor that should keep us moving forward, let me make it clear, I do not entirely reject the notion of patriotism. You show your patriotism when you put an effort for the upliftment of the larger society you live in, it is when you pay taxes and hopes for the best, it is when you choose not to litter. Above all, patriotism, for me, is the idea of living peacefully with a larger, diverse population accepting the fact that the people of a developing country (for the last 70 years) are not supposed to be perfect. Just like the phony nationalists, I too have insecurities and apprehensions about living in India. This is because there are extremists in almost all communities based on religions.However, I do not believe that violence or sidelining is the answer. It is through discussions, debates and promoting dialogues that we can find solutions. I hope a time will soon come when I can express my opinions without being name called and threatened. Till then keep calm and happy Independence day!

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