I know this post is a day late… But in my defense I was out of town most of the day, it was during the journey that I thought of what I have written below and I just felt like it mattered that I said it.

I am not a very patriotic guy… I am the sort of guy that has always been confused with borders and flags, not caring about nationalities of people. Yep the whole “all humans living things are equal” sort of ideology… Its not a very odd thought though but it makes you feel out of place when someone is talking about doing great things for the country…

I have always been around people who are quick to point out and poke fun at the way things work in India. Maybe its the law system, the government, the roads, the corruption, the fuel prices, the monsoons, the droughts, the cricket team, the tv serials, the movies… (phew) and they end it with “things will never change here”…

Then there is the well off section that wants to do something for the country and when ever they decide to put in a decent effort at it, get bogged down by one of the other “never change” people and just give up.

I have considered recruiting in the army and I am sure many others have too… Giving a solid few years of your prime to protect your country… or winning some glory somewhere in an international event so that Indian national anthem could be played once again in front of a huge international audience… But these are take so much more effort and dedication that I am not sure I can provide.

So what can I do? Anything that makes a difference? Something to say thank you for your democracy… thank you for everything you have let me become…

But there is…

I have seen people who have returned after spending years in another country, purchasing a toffee and throwing away the piece of paper on the road when a dustbin was only a few steps away. I asked them if they would have done the same in another country “Obviously not, you get fined” comes the answer.

So why dont we get to do nice things for our country… The answer is pretty simple: We have been spending too much of our time trying to get away

To get away littering, breaking traffic rules(blatantly at times), evading taxes, bribing, giving into corruption… hell even jay walking!
And not complaining about it, not stopping or telling off the blatant disregard for the country we have all in some way added fuel to the fire that has been burning our country down.

So you want to do something for the country? Well find a dustbin for a change, dont jump signals, ask for a bill, treat other people with respect, drive economically, pay when you use public transport, stand in a queue and teach your kids to respect the rules and this country.

Dont find excuses for doing things you know are wrong… make that last bit of effort and go thru it the right way. You might get stares at first, might even hear a few words spoken behind your back but it does not matter, every revolution was started by someone like you and me.
Feel proud in following the rules and know that even a small step you take matters in the end.

If you do those things trust me it might not be like taking a bullet in Siachen but its still a lot for your country. And if you already do those things there is no reason for you to think you have not done much for your country(maybe you can try convincing others to do the same).

So what if you are like me(the “equal” theory :) )… well then you dont need to do it for your country… Do it coz you feel it is right and that you as a member of (arguably) the most intelligent species of animals on the planet know the difference between right and wrong.