Do patriots exist only in History textbooks?” Many ask. Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekar Azad seem to have been relegated to classrooms and a few hammy talkies. And there isn’t much talk about real “sons-of-the-soil” in dailies either. So one can’t blame youngsters if they feel that patriots are now a part of the past only. But those who tried searching for a contemporary patriot came up with interesting names.
The people’s president, Dr A.P.J. Kalam, was a popular choice for true patriot title. Manpreet Singh, engineer, avers, “Dr Kalam is appreciable for his vision as a leader, and his mass appeal despite his simplicity makes us all look up to him as an icon and an unselfish leader.”
But also an academician par excellence, Kalam lost much precious time in the Rashtrapati Bhawan in which he could otherwise have enlightened minds and fired many more imaginations.
And cricketing maestro, Sachin Tendulkar, wasn’t far behind either. Reminding us that he was one of the first few to sport the tricolour on his helmet, Prateek Rangra, a physiotherapist, says, “He keeps India and its flag above everything else and his dedication towards the country is unparalleled. The never say die attitude with which he has brought laurels upon himself and hence his country can never be matched.”
In times of corruption and skepticism, few cease to find a patriot among politicians, sportspersons or corporates and only jawans, who patrol borders and protect the country from enemies within and beyond are the real patriots for them. Says, Kanika Tiku, Jamia graduate, “There isn’t a fear bigger than the fear of death but these jawans put aside everything — comforts, home, loved ones to protect ordinary citizens like us. Hence brave souls who make up the Army, Navy and the Air Force are true patriots. ”