All of us born in India have a natural affinity for our national flag and national anthem. Do our emotions become deeper by displaying the flag from our balconies? Or by illuminating our buildings orange, white, green? Do we become less patriotic if we refuse to toe the official line?
Most heartbreaking was the video where ordinary people were denied their monthly food ration till, they bought a flag for twenty rupees. Twenty rupees is a lot for working class people who would have alternate uses for it.
Meanwhile people living in flats get the flag for free – whether we want it or not!!!! How embarrassing to belong to a somewhat privileged class!
This is probably not the official line. Some local dada must have seen a money-making opportunity, cornered flags and bulldozed people into buying them. His reasoning? Someone has made a lot of money by making flags. Why should I be left?
Coming back to my original question I can’t see the point of this campaign other than it being another ghanta bajao, diya jalao kind of gimmick. Once again the most vulnerable segment of our people are paying the price.
Nothing wrong in trying to be “patriotic” but to use “patriotism” for your own selfish benefits, and to make money out of the national flag is the biggest insult to our national flag …. Try having a bigger , kinder, open heart and distribute our National Flag with respect.
The author is a Delhi-based freelance writer.
