“Patriotism is the conviction that your country is the best because you were born in it.” – George Bernard Shaw
I read this the other day and then read it again and then once more. Then I laughed. I felt like someone was speaking my mind. As someone who has stayed half his life in India and half outside it, I am somewhat intrigued by the notion of patriotism.
I do remember being very “patriotic” as a kid when I was studying in India. But I have questioned my patriotism over the past few years. What is really patriotism? To me, from a third persons point of view, its a feeling that overwhelms you on 15th August and 26th January when u watch that parade or you listen to some patriotic song. I do confess that at times that still gives me goosebumps.
But seriously, is patriotism just something like blind faith in the idea that you love you country? Is it just something you are supposed to be as a good citizen? Is not being patriotic traitorous??
Well this is what I concluded : If you love your country, do something for it. If you dont do anything, you are no patriot but just a hypocrite. I mean how can you call yourself a patriot if apart from 2 days of the year, you are whining about what your country lacks(thats just cynical) or just oblivious to it all. Because how can you truly love something if you do not do your bit to improve it. In that sense, “true patriot” is something that only a few deserved to be called. All others, well I like to call them the 2-day patriots. My patriotism status, lets leave that for another day 
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