Wisdom Snippets - Symbolism and solidarity

If you come to think of it, a flag is a piece of cloth with some specific pattern printed on it. It could also be printed even on a piece of paper. But soldiers across the world give their lives to protect it and every nation gives its departed public servants, political leaders and Martyrs the highest tribute by wrapping their coffins in the national flag. American soldiers wear it on their sleeve! Every mountaineer goes with a flag of his country to hoist on the peak he conquers. Most would remember the movie ‘Lakshya’ where Indian flag is hoisted on a peak conquered by our soldiers during a conflict with the enemy. And the feeling of ‘hurray’. National mourning too is done by flying the flag at half mast. All ships carry a national flag. All Americans proudly have a flag outside their homes. On 15th August day of our independence we have a flag hoisting on the red fort by the PM and all schools and colleges have similar flag hoisting functions. 

 

 

Why do we have republic day parade where we showcase our might and collective resolve with ‘band baja’? Why your Olympic team carries a national flag and wears Indian attire and carries a national flag?

 

 

Armies march on Military music. They have special bands for every regiment. “Sarey jahan sey achcha Hindustan Hamara….” Is my favorite military tune.

 

Look at cricket matches; you have people carrying different Props to cheer up the teams. People carry gongs, bells, trumpets, horns, whistles and all sorts of funny stuff with them to the stadium. Spectators carry national flags and paint even their faces with national color, wear different caps, hats and dress up differently.You also have cheer girls with loud blaring music and flood lights.

 

Why is all this done? To boost up the Moral and show a collective spirit to demonstrate your resolve as a group of people, as a military unit, as a Hockey team or as a nation State.

 

You also have candle light marches for a cause or to demonstrate peaceful solidarity- Silent but visible.

 

Every nation proudly builds its war memorials at a massive cost. Statue of Liberty was made for a purpose and every American is proud of. It was not free; it cost a lot of money.

 

Do you know that Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on a specific day towards the end of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet. Worldwide millions do it. Is this stupid? A lot many Indians do it too every year.

 

A standing ovation which costs nothing is the highest reward for a person. An Oscar award is golden statuette as a trophy which may not be costing a fortune to make but it changes the fortune of the guy receiving it for life.

 

Carved in the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills national Forest are four gigantic sculptures depicting the faces of great US presidents George Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt? Is this a joke on American people? No they are proud of it and every president wants to touch those lofty heights. President Donald Trump, was pretty vocal about it.

 

What is all this? A pure useless drama? Can you wishy-washy All this as garbage, bunkum, hype or something stupid?

 

This is demonstrating Symbolism and solidarity in your face. It’s a collective resolve.

 

I don’t think anyone who has a sane mind and heart in the right place could ridicule all that. You got to be out of your mind to boo this. Insane.

 

We the great Indians are really great. We can criticize everything and anything? Anyone and everyone but ourselves. ‘I am the best no one else matters’ is what we feel.

 

 

 

PM Narendra Modi in a message to people asked them to clap, beat steel plates and ring bells during the ''Janata curfew'' on a scheduled Sunday to express gratitude towards those risking their lives and working tirelessly during the corona virus outbreak. He said people were not taking the social lockdown seriously as PM Modi turned the situation of concern and worry into a "festival-like event".

 

Large number of people in India did it and participated enthusiastically. This was also later followed by some other western countries.

 

Lo and behold some of our own people, yes our own literate intellectuals took a dig at this and mocked at the PM. They said ‘Our PM is asking us to beat steel plates and clap for a few minutes to scare off the Corona Virus!’ Oh my God, are they serious or are plainly insane to say this? How can anyone, especially an Indian stoop so low and make remarks which are grossly misinterpreted and deliberately twisted to cause embarrassment to India. It’s a Shame.