I have been meaning to
write these lines for some time now. Took some time off today and had to pen
them down after the unfortunate death of Captain Pawan Kumar. The
original lines are in Hindustani. I have tried my best to translate into
English without missing the spirit of the same.
Sheher Mein Abhi, Ik Janaaze Ka Zikr Khatm Nahi Hua
Tha,
Ki Udhar Sarhad Pe, Ek Aur Jawan Shaheed Hogaya.
Ki Jaise Aadat Si Pad Gayi Ho Hamein Janaazo Ki,
Kya Wajah Hai , Yun Muskuraatein Shaheed Hojane Ki.
Aakhir Yeh Kaisa Junoon Hai, Joh Sar Chad Ke Bolta
Hai,
Bhikarti Huvi ‘Democracy’ ko , ‘Guard of Honour’
Deta Hai.
Yeh Ajeeb Dastaan Hai, Iss Mulk Ke Logo Ki,
Watan Ke Naam Par Marne Walo Ki Koi Kami Toh Na Thi,
Ussi Ke Naam Par Maarna Bhi Seekh Liya,
Haan yeh Alag Baat Hai, Ki Jiske Lahuu Ki Pyaas Hai
Is Dafa,
Woh Koi Aur Nahi,Woh Mera Hi Hum Watan Hai… !!
Woh Koi Aur Nahi,Woh Mera Hi Hum Watan Hai… !!
Translation
:
The city
was yet to concede the loss in the just concluded funeral,
That It
was informed of the news of yet another martyr.
It’s, as
if, we have given into the habit of welcoming funerals,
For how
could one accept martyrdom with a beaming smile.
Yet I
fail to understand this Passion, that He Exudes,
In
protecting this failing democracy, that he Salutes.
Irony is
the word, when I describe the story of this People,
For there
was no dearth of people, who were ready to die in the name of this nation,
And then
came those, who learned to kill in Her name.
Today, they are bloodthirsty, once again,
Alas ! but for this
time, the blood is non other than my Own.
For they
seek not an alien, but a countryman of my own.
For they
seek not an alien, but a countryman of my own.
***************************************************************
As these are the times of debating
patriotism and defining the same. Here’s my take.
“ Being a Patriot may mean many
different things to different people but a democratic patriot is one who performs one’s own duties, one who exercises one’s own rights
without undermining the rights of others “
As the discourse today moves, to define
people and identify them, by the opinions they hold, as leftist, rightist,
centrist, and separatist and much more, we must take a minute and examine the rich
diversity of this country, a People diverse not just in caste, class, sex,
religion, ethnicity, language but also in the social, economic and cultural
dimensions.
Over six decades ago, we all accepted to
stay together, with the spirit of Unity in Diversity. This was by no means, by virtue of divine providence, but by virtue of the Constitution of India and thus, a Nation was born.
After 6 decades of independence, there may
come moments of elation when the whole country should celebrate together, and
yet, there would be some part of this country, that cannot celebrate or cannot
afford to celebrate or refuses to celebrate. It could be the tribal people in
the forests of Chhattisgarh or the dying peasants of Maharashtra or the disillusioned
people of Jammu & Kashmir for all different reasons, reasons that are
genuine and need attention.
It is in those times, that the country
needs to reach out to those, who cannot celebrate or worst who refuse to celebrate.
Giving a voice to the disillusioned, to the powerless, and silently listening to
the grievances does not make us, as a Nation, Weak , but only Strong, for we
learn the cause of disaffection, for we learn our mistakes and we grow more strong. A Nation is as organic as a Living Creature, which fails to stay healthy, if a
part of it suffers or worst goes rogue. Therefore, the need for the entire country, to stand by those, in distress,not just in letter but in spirit.
A famous Telugu Poet Shri. Gurujada
AppaRao said and I quote
“ Deshamante Matti Kadoi, Deshamante Manushuloi “
which means “A country is not a heap of Soil rather
it’s ‘The People’.”
When we respect our countrymen, when we
reach out to the disillusioned, when we listen to the disgruntled , we uphold Patriotism and not become Anti-National.When we fail to listen to our own people , we fail Democracy, we fail Patriotism, we fail as a Nation. After all it is We, The People, that
matter and nothing else.
I don't know, if the slogans against
India, should be treated as anti-national or not, but I can say one thing for sure, that
for a cricket-loving nation like ours , Sledging was Never an issue and should
not be one. Perhaps , we could emulate the legendary Sachin Tendulkar , in Smiling back when hurled abuses at and respond with the best thing he was known for. The Smile becomes all the more necessary, when the criticism is from our own team mate.
In any case , for all those who feel
worried that the Slogans could break this country. Here’s some relief. If this
country was so fragile that it would break off at mere sloganeering, by a fringe
mob, then our friendly neighbourhood would not have invested billions on the nuclear bombs, in aspiring for the same.
