In the context of defence services, 'patriotism' demands readiness to even lay down one's life in…

Question

In the context of defence services, 'patriotism' demands readiness to even lay down one's life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

In everyday civil life, patriotism means living for the nation through Fundamental Duties: honesty with public resources, care for the commons, fraternity, participation and constructive dissent. Satyendra Dubey, killed in 2003 after exposing Golden Quadrilateral corruption, shows its civic form.

**Introduction**

A soldier's patriotism is tested in one moment of sacrifice; a citizen's is tested every day in small choices. Since the 42nd Amendment (1976) added Fundamental Duties in Article 51A, the Constitution has framed civil patriotism as living for the nation, not only dying for it.

**What Patriotism Implies in Everyday Civil Life**

SKETCH: comparison | Patriotism: Border vs Daily Life
a: Soldier
b: Citizen
- Lays down life :: Lives by duties
- Defends territory :: Upholds Constitution
- Moment of sacrifice :: Daily discipline
- External enemy :: Corruption, apathy

1. **Honesty with Public Resources**: Paying taxes and refusing bribes protect the nation's wealth; Satyendra Dubey was killed in 2003 after exposing corruption in the Golden Quadrilateral project.
2. **Care for the Commons**: Article 51A(g) and (i) ask citizens to protect the environment and public property, as retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu does by sweeping Chandigarh's streets every morning in his late eighties.
3. **Fraternity and Service**: India's ASHA workers served communities through COVID-19 and won WHO's Global Health Leaders Award in 2022.

**Why This Reading of Patriotism Is Justified**

1. **Nation as Its People**: Tax evasion or discrimination weakens the nation from within just as an enemy does from outside.
2. **Constitutional Patriotism**: Jürgen Habermas's **constitutional patriotism**, loyalty to shared constitutional values, keeps love of country inclusive.
3. **Guard Against Jingoism**: Tagore refused to "allow patriotism to triumph over humanity", so civic patriotism includes constructive dissent.

**Conclusion**

Patriotism in civil life is the daily counterpart of the soldier's sacrifice: honesty, duty and fraternity practised when no one is watching. A nation defended at the border must also be built at the ration counter, the polling booth and the office desk.

In the context of defence services, 'patriotism' demands readiness to even lay down one's life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer.

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