What are you? A Religious first or a Patriotic first?

Before you read this article

Ask yourself "Do you consider yourself a Religious first or a Patriotic first?" You may be both but what comes first to you? Save your answer in your mind and with that context continue reading ahead ...

Are Indians religious first or patriotic first?

A decade  back, I was reading a news about some religious clashes in India. I felt disturbed on why are we so religiously influenced that we end up fighting and killing each other. Don't they understand that ultimately it is our own Indian brothers and sisters who are being killed? Why do our religious sentiments get over our patriotic sentiments? Are Indians religious first or patriotic first?

What Am "I" a Religious first or a Patriot first?

The only way to find out was to ask myself, my family, friends, colleagues and people I know, if they considered themselves Religious or Patriotic first. I started with myself, and the answer was a clear "I am a patriotic first". I had ample reasons to believe that - I respect religious sentiments but I rarely go to temples or do pooja and things usually associated with religion. On other hand, like any other patriot, I will give my life for my country.

I continued asking the same to almost every one I knew, and a good 90% answered "I am a patriot first". This answer confused me - While 90% people said that they are patriots, then why is India fighting on religious sentiments? I doubt my people sample was wrong - I collected data from teens to adults, across various class of our society, religions, sex, professionals including politicians, business, government. I knew there was a disconnect some where - but where?

Really? You are patriotic first? Then ask this to yourself ...

Taking a step back I challenged myself to one simple question to - Am I really a patriot first? The answer led me to a surprising self-discovery that shook me inside out! I asked myself "How easily can I decide to change my citizenship?" I thought for a while and said it's not very difficult - for a better quality of life, growth etc I can do that. Then I asked myself "How easily can I decide to change my religion?" ................ I was stumped ... I just couldn't say what I thought I would say ...  within seconds my answer changed from 'May be ..." to "No way!" ...

What was it that an Indian like me who hardly follows religion, who never differentiated anyone or anything based on religion, who believes all religions are equal and it doesn't matter if one belongs to whatever faith. How come I said that I will NOT change my religion but willing to change my Citizenship? In reality then how come I am a patriotic first? .... The fact is that I am not - whether I myself agree or not some where sub-consciously, there is a strong force that is driving me towards religion - perhaps its the social, cultural Indian fabric that I am made of. Perhaps its something else.  I don't know as of now.

I plan to find the truth behind this and cover it in my next article, but meanwhile did you get stumped by the question "How easily can you decide to change your citizenship/religion? Then please write your comments below, your answers will give me new insights and a reasoning that could answer this strange behavior for those who say "I am a patriotic first" ...

Lok Sabha 2014 - What will young India vote for?

People have different expectations at different times and politicians have exploited these expectations to stay in power. Will the 2014 elections be similar to any of its previous elections or does Young India want something else that the politicians need to worry?

Voting in the early independence era

In the early era immediately after India's freedom, democracy was new to India. The decision "who to vote" was comparatively a simple one - who helped India get the freedom? People voted political parties they thought gave them results. The past results dictated the tone of the propaganda and people had clear idea on who to vote - in short the 'Past Performance' determined the winner.

 

Fast forward 25 years from independence

Political parties realized that no longer the propaganda of past performance would work - it had become stale and people were used to living in free India. People wanted something more. So political parties provided them hope - a promise for the future. People bought ideas like 'Roti, kapda and makaan' if they voted for so-n-so party. In short, politicians promised 'Future Results' and voters chose the one they thought would deliver those results. Promises were enough for winning as people were only starting to understand the concept of democracy.

 

Fast forward to present day. What will young India vote for in 2014? Past? Future? or ....

Young India is practical, fast and more aware of their rights than any generations before them. While generations before them looked towards political parties to show and lead the way, Young India wants to show the way itself - they want to vote for those who will give them what they want NOW! Past results nor future promises will work anymore. Parties who recognize this, will have to convince the young voters in a concrete transparent way i.e. in their day to day actions starting now. Only those parties stand a chance who will deliver right now. Only those will survive who can demonstrate the change that is needed now. Only those will win who will give the people of India a great present and not just a promise of a good future!

Will today's political parties change to address the needs of Young India or will they risk sticking to the tried and tested formula of yesterday? That my friends I would love to hear from you ...