Rethinking Patriotism - What It Really Means to Love Your Country

In a country so rich in history, diversity, and human potential, we expect people to be citizens of unshakable character. And fair enough, we should.

But at the same time, we’re a country still divided by faith, religion, caste, and economic status. And let me not even speak about the language divide taking place currently. So when we talk about loyalty to our motherland, we also need to ask - have we created a country that gives people a reason to stay loyal?

Yes, we do talk about love for our nation. We speak about it with pride. But what happens when someone decides to leave, for a better life, more freedom, or just more opportunity? Suddenly, their loyalty is questioned. As if choosing to move abroad means giving up on your roots.

That doesn’t feel fair, does it?

Loyalty - Guarding the promise of India's tomorrow.

We often hear, “How can you love your country and still leave it?” But it’s possible. People aren’t running away from the land, they’re seeking dignity, safety, and systems that support their dreams. And many still give back, in ways that matter. Let’s not divide ourselves between loyal and disloyal based on who stays and who leaves. True loyalty lies in wanting better for your people, whether from within or from afar.

The truth is, Indians living abroad are doing much more for India than we care to acknowledge. Many carry Indian values wherever they go. They learn civic sense. They build inclusive communities. They no longer nod along silently to everything foreign. They become more confident and outspoken. They work hard, they earn, they pay taxes and they see those taxes turn into quality roads, healthcare, and public systems. They live with dignity and demand it for others too.

Indians today are not just participating in the global economy, they’re shaping it.

In countries that once ruled over us, Indians are now among the top homebuyers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Some call it ‘reverse colonialism’, but really, it’s a quiet kind of justice, not built on control, but on competence. We’re no longer asking for a seat at the table, we’re building our own tables. Indians may not own Google or Microsoft, but we’re leading them. From boardrooms in Silicon Valley to policy tables in the UK, Indians are no longer silent contributors. We’re decision-makers, innovators, and changemakers. That’s not just participation, it’s influence. That’s patriotism expressed globally.

NRIs invest heavily in India, not just financially, but by showcasing its culture, food, heritage, and history abroad. When they return, they speak up. They blog, they question, they take part in shaping a better India, and that too, is patriotism.

Indians in India are thriving globally. Indian minds are everywhere, leading, building, creating. We’ve made a mark. We have a solid presence on the world map today. Our economy is gaining strength, our military is prepared, and our industries are expanding. UPI has made digital payments easy, and in many ways, we’ve leapt ahead of even developed nations in tech access.

We have a Prime Minister who has stood his ground on the global stage. Like him or not, he has made sure India has a voice of its own. We have a leader who is not swayed by global powerhouses and speaks for India with conviction.

We should absolutely be proud of all this. We’ve come a long way.

But we can’t shy away from our intrinsic problems.

Now, let’s address the conditions within India. A country so deeply capable, yet still, in many parts, struggling with the basics.

Water, for example. In many urban homes, people still have to fill overhead tanks just to ensure continuous supply. In coffee havens like my native place Coorg, where wealth and tourism both thrive, electricity isn’t guaranteed. UPS systems and generators are the norm. If this is the condition in affluent areas, imagine the struggle in poorer towns and villages. Electricity, a basic need, is still a daily uncertainty for many.

Air quality in India today is no less than a public health crisis. With AQI levels soaring beyond acceptable limits, sometimes hitting alarming numbers in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, it’s not just pollution anymore, we are literally choking. Breathing has become a luxury. A few individuals like Luke Coutinho are trying to bring awareness and solutions to the table, but beyond that, most people have just learned to coexist with dangerously polluted air, as if this is our new normal.

And it’s not just the air. The food we eat, something as basic as that has become a gamble too. Adulteration is widespread, pesticides are common, and even what’s labeled ‘organic’ can be questionable. We don’t know what’s real anymore. From chemically treated spices and artificially colored sweets to contaminated water and fake paneer, it’s hard to trust what lands on our plates. Health isn’t just a personal choice anymore, it’s a real challenge. We’ve reached a stage where influencers, experts, and everyday people who genuinely care are using social media to help others understand what to eat, what’s harmful, what’s adulterated, what to avoid, and how to live healthier. And while that’s encouraging, let’s be honest, this shouldn’t be extraordinary. This should be basic. The fact that we need this level of awareness-building around something as fundamental as food and health says a lot about the larger system we’re living in.

Take infrastructure. We proudly buy Indian-made cars, but the roads? They’re filled with potholes and cracks. Sure, we’re building great highways across India, but what about the daily roads, the ones people use to get from home to work? Where are those smooth, safe, functional routes we all deserve?

And civic sense? Still a major challenge. I’ve travelled to some of the most beautiful places in Europe, places where history, culture, food, and art are deeply celebrated and well preserved. But every time the world praises European heritage, I find myself saying: there’s no comparison to India. India is unmatched. Our history, our traditions, our festivals, our food, they’re rich, layered, and deeply rooted in something ancient and beautiful.

But what breaks my heart is how we treat it. The very land that holds centuries of greatness is often left uncared for. Celebrities advertise harmful products like pan masala, and streets are stained red. Garbage piles up. Corners smell of urine, from people, dogs, cows, all blended into one mess. Loudness, filth, lack of respect for space, people, rules, it’s everywhere. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Many of us carry deep pride in what India stands for, but we’re also tired of how little is done to preserve and protect it. That’s why I speak up, in my posts, my blogs, my conversations. I don’t sugarcoat it. Not because I love India less, but because I believe it deserves better.

When it comes to safety, especially for women, we’ve barely scratched the surface. Many still feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods. Women are still made to feel like second-class citizens. They’re told how to dress, how to behave, even how to speak. And if you do otherwise, you are a rebel, you don’t have ‘sanskar’. Menstruating women still feel discouraged to enter temples or attend funerals. Patriarchy runs deep. And no matter how much we claim to love our country, if we accept these practices silently, we are failing it in some way too.

Getting things done often feels like a maze. You need a contact, a connection, someone to make a call. Power and influence move things, not just process. Without the right push, things stay stuck. This isn’t finger-pointing, it’s simply the state of how things work, even in the 21st century.

Even historically, we’ve been through so much. Yes, the British ruled us for 300 years. We suffered, and we gave in. Sometimes, we even turned away from our own people, not because we weren’t loyal, but because we were ruled by division. When people are denied their basic rights and dignity, even the smallest offering feels like relief. That’s survival, not betrayal.

And that same mindset still lingers today. The old ways still run deep. The system doesn’t always work to uplift. More often, it works to manage, managing our emotions, identities, and needs just enough to keep things moving. People are given hope, but not always real change. It becomes normal to wait, to adjust, to believe, but rarely to question why things haven’t gotten better.

Acknowledging the country’s challenges isn’t disloyalty. It’s honesty. And honesty is the foundation of real progress.

This isn’t criticism. This is care. This is love, the kind that holds a mirror, not to shame, but to help us see where we are, and where we need to go. If people abroad speak up, it’s not to belittle India. It’s because they believe it can be better. They want women to feel safe. They want children to dream freely. They want an India that’s fair, equal, and free of fear. And maybe some left because they couldn’t change it from within. But that doesn’t make them traitors.

Let’s stop using loyalty as a tool to shame people. True loyalty is in our collective willingness to build something better. Not for applause. Not for show. But because we know India deserves more and so do its people.