How to cultivate nationalism among peopleA common question often asked is- how to cultivate patriotism, nationalism, and

sense of belonging among its inhabitants. How to make people root for their nation,
feel proud to be associated with the nation, and feel a sense of duty in maintaining
the dignity of the nation. How to break the walls of caste, creed, religion, language
etc? That we carry with us throughout our life and whose baggage pulls us down
from being true to our nation. How to diffuse the you and I into a collective
us? How to cultivate a collective identity of being an Indian that surpasses all
other differences? Mind you, there are no easy answers for all these questions.
The first thing that comes to my mind is an oxymoron, to construct a nation first
we need to deconstruct a nation. That is, we need to be conscious of the fact that
what is a nation? Who makes a nation? Why do we need a nation? How are we
identified as a nation and conversely how nation is identified by us? Once we are
conscious of the process of nation building, once we are aware of the fact that
nation is as much a social construct as other social institutions, it becomes easier to
mould the nation, to effect changes in the nation because we will no longer involve
in the jingoism and fetishism that we often confuse with patriotism
Having a historical consciousness of the nation, now the next step is to know what
changes we need to see in our country and countrymen, what are the features that
we wish our state, society and people inherit and imbibe in their subconscious
mind? There are several such features that we can point out in this regard- firstly,
India is a nation of immense cultural diversity in terms of culture, ethnicity,
language, customs and traditions etc. the strength of the nation lie in the truism of
unity in diversity, to recognize and to appreciate the diversity of the nation. This
appreciation of diversity also inculcates the feeling of preserving this diversity; it
prevents cultural hegemony and places us an inch closer from realizing the ideal of
vasudhaiv kutumbakam.
Religion and caste are irrefutable and integral part of our society. The nature,
extent, influence, necessity of both though is highly debatable matter. But a bitter
truth of the society is the divisive role that religion and caste plays in the society. It
is essential for the state to have a non-partisan view regarding religion. Religion is
personal and social belief system and even though most of us identify ourselves
with some or other religion, it is essential that in before the eyes of law, state, and
nation- we all are equal. No matter our religion, nation comes first. We need to
adopt an attitude of contextual secularism that is, respecting all religions equally
and additionally; your national identity is supreme amongst your multiple identities.
In term of caste, a much stricter attitude is required. We need to recognize the
divisive and antagonist force of caste and it should not interfere in our pursuit of

national unity. We can call ourselves part of a common thread only if social
discrimination like caste and region are eliminated.
We call our nation Bharat Mata but this is a sorry truth that women are often seen
as symbolic embodiment or passive recipient in the process of nation building
rather than playing the role of an active agent. We cannot talk of national
consciousness by putting half population on the margins. But gender encompasses
not just women, it encompasses all categories of sexual divisions and the social
constructs associated with it. For everyone to feel for the nation it is necessary that
the nation feels for them, for everyone to place nation above everything else, nation
needs to place them on an equal plane if not more.
Illiteracy, superstitions and irrationality are biggest hindrance to the idea of nation
because biases and superstitions and ill knowledge make people behave contrary to
the spirit of the nation. You dont need to be university educated to have a rational
outlook, just a broader viewpoint and a mind open to ideas, only then we can
embrace the message of nationalism above all.
Finally, to act like an adhesive to the structure of nationalism is the sense of
belonging, not just in the context of nation but on a broader plane, humanism. We
root for our family our group our institution because we feel we belong to it. Then
we share the joys, sorrows, concerns, achievements all as our own. This feeling is to
be felt by everyone, to be imbibed through our culture, our institution into our
subconscious mind.
Now we come across an even difficult question, that is- how? And again there are
no easy answers. The first thing that will cross our minds will be that this feeling
should be inculcated since our formative age. Schooling, particularly primary
schooling plays a very vital role in shaping the character of a person. Using effective
means of pedagogy, we can inflame a spirit of patriotism, nationalism and sense of
belongingness for the future generation. Similarly we can imbibe a sense of duty for
the nation and the need to work for the welfare and betterment of the nation.
Secondly, attempts should be made to forge cultural unity and create an eye for
appreciation for different cultures within our nation. This could be done through
assimilation, close interaction and display of different cultures. Through creating a
cultural panorama, creating nodal points for the interaction of cultures and
inculcating a sense of aesthetics will be immensely helpful for growth of cultural
nationalism
Many art forms, many cultures, many endeavors of nation building fail because of
cost- profit mechanics which restricts the potential of such endeavors. By
deliberately patronizing and often commissioning events, art works, books,
museums and above all public commemoration state plays the role of a catalyst in
the process of nation building. It not only give a pan Indian character and reach to

these activities it also encourages individuals to attempt and display and project the
national panorama without the concern of financial and institutional support.
But for people to utilize the means of pedagogy, to appreciate different cultures,
feel proud of being a part of the nation and play an active role in nationalist
endeavors, it is essential to provide him or her means to do so. The structure of
nation cannot be laid on the base of poverty and oppression. Thus it is essential to
provide a minimum respectable living standard to all in spheres of life- economic,
social and cultural. Social justice and equitable distribution need to be the two
foundation stones for the structure of nationalism to stand still.
As pointed out earlier, caste prejudices and discrimination are the biggest divisive
forces that need to be curtailed for the unity of the nation. Reformers like Ambedkar
gave a lot of emphasis on the role of intermarriage and to some extent inter-dining
to dilute the basis of caste prejudices. It is important not only for the assimilation of
different social groups but also for the dilution of identity politics which tend to
create a huge rift between different communities.
Language is not only a medium of communication. Words also carry with them
cultural symbols, images, idioms etc. how we express an idea is equally essential as
what we express. Rhetoric, propagandist, communal, discriminatory and derogatory
form of speeches, texts, audio-visual mediums is many a times used deliberately to
provoke sentiments. This kind of misuse of language is used to generate hatred by
the hate mongers. Through the use of language a distorted view of history is
presented, feelings are aroused. Thus, at least in the public arena some restraint
and regulation over propagandist rhetoric derogatory (for the unity of the nation)
should be practiced and conversely, language should be channelized for the service
of nationalism.
Media can play a very vital role in propagating everything from grass root
nationalism to influencing peoples opinion in favor of the nation. Media has the
potential to make people root for an issue, come in solidarity and work for the
welfare of the nation. Media through the powerful medium of cinema can influence
and instigate patriotism, nationalism etc. media makes us aware of our duty and
media makes us conscious about the happening of the nation. Thus media binds us
and help in creating a sense of belonging among different people in different part of
the country.
Apart from the concern for its culture, people, society nationalism should also
include an additional and serious concern for its environment. Environment is the
part of human existence, it makes a nation a living place, and our existence is
severely dependent upon it. So an additional tool of nation building is judicious
allocation of environmental resources, conservation of non-renewable resources,
concern and reverence for nature and a bid towards sustainable development is as
vital part of nationalism as the above mentioned points. We should replace our

greed with our need, as the popular truism goes- to everyone according to their
needs
Thus, to generate a feeling of nationalism and feeling of oneness, prioritizing nation
above all, may seem at the first sight a chimera but this is not a revolutionary
instant process. This is more of a journey, a penance where the goal is oneness of
identity, where everything converges into a national identity, like different rivers
converge into the great ocean, different cultures, societies, identities into the ocean
of the nation and become one!!