 were exemplary patriots. Nelson Mandela, the great South African leader, who tirelessly fought for his African brethren, opposing the racist whites, is next only to Gandhi. In fact, Gandhi was the inspiration to Nelson Mandela, who suffered imprisonment for many years.
When he was frail and even when his moral strength was eroded by the oppressive tactics of the whites he protested. His patience ultimately rewarded him with victory. The South African Government consisting of the most autocratic whites, who were highly prejudiced against the colored Africans, at last realized that it was no longer possible to keep the poor, meek Africans under their thumbs. Nelson Mandela was acknowledged as a doughty champion of the lowliest and the last. He was made President of South Africa. Mr. Abdul Kalian, the President of India, is one of the greatest patriots.
He is called the ‘Missiles Man’ as he was instrumental in launching many missiles into space. As a scientist and patriot, he stands supreme, and when he makes speeches he speaks of developing India as a great nation. A film on Abdul Kalama titled “From Rameswaram to the Rashtrapati Haven” has been produced. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery in the US, Nelson Mandela and others of their ilk should rule our minds and influence us so that we too will follow in their footsteps and serve the nation.
It may be said that the patriots’ lives are a reminder to us of the everlasting truth that the whole nation is our land and that we should leave no stone unturned to protect it from acts of gross injustice of the self-centered, the crooked, the violent and the engineers of terrorism. Patriotism is a spiritual quality which ennobles man. In a patriot’s vision the image of his motherland assumes divinity and we can imagine how strong his spirit of patriotism was. Our relationship starts with our mother, father, sister, brother, aunt and uncle and goes on widening.
We love one another in our small circle of family. We should love everyone in the vast family of our nation. If we begin to feel that our nation, our motherland, is one large family, we the people of the nation, will grow as one well-knit family. In this situation we feel we are related to one another as brothers and sisters. Unity is our strength. United we stand, divided we fall. From our childhood we should develop the spirit of loving one and all. There are none high or low. All living creatures, whether insect, bird, animal or human being, has a right to live.
This is the greatest message; this is the most precious lesson. Patriot is one who loves and serves his own country as a loyal citizen. He is called a true patriot who loves his country and is ready to sacrifice his all for her cause, and wholeheartedly works for the welfare of his motherland. The land, on which one is born and brought up and lives, is naturally dear to him than any other land. This love for his birthplace grows into patriotism. If his motherland is attacked by the enemies, he does not hesitate to fight for the protection of freedom of his native land.
He can do any thing to glorify his country. He feels proud of his country. This patriotic feeling can be found in many great heroes in history. In India, we know many patriots who suffered inhuman distress at the hands of the foreign rulers, because they loved their country, and wanted to make her free from the shackles of the foreign rule. They were imprisoned, publicly flogged and had undergone inhuman torture for their undying patriotism. Still they did not step down, even at the cost of their life. They carried on their struggle for freedom for many years.
This is true patriotism. A true patriot will go to the war with a smiling face to sacrifice his life, if needed. He will serve the poor and the distressed people of his country out of compassion that arises from patriotism. He will devote himself to the work of development of his own people. He does not bother about his personal interests or gains, when he goes forward with his spirit of patriotism. A t