Nationalism and Cleanliness of Public Spaces in India

Nationalism is pride. Nationalism is a sense of belonging. It is an intense and sometimes irrational love for a country or people that one belongs to. In many ways it can be a positive belief system. It can propel a people to do better. It fosters a sense of competition vis a vis other groups of people and makes communities strive to excel. Nationalistic attitudes are prevalent all over the world and takes many forms. It can be negative too. All too often we see people using nationalism to discriminate other groups of people. It can propagate hatred and worse. In the wrong hands it can be quite destructive and dangerous.

Nationalism of all kinds exist in India. A pan- Indian nationalism helped India gain its independence from colonial rule and aided the post independent leaders to forge a strong country despite it its mind-boggling diversity.  But other kinds of nationalism exist too in India. They are caste, regional, ethnic, linguistic and religious nationalism that can be sometimes divisive and narrow in their outlook. There is no harm in encouraging pride in one's own identity as long as it does not lead to prejudice towards others.

Indian nationalism is alive and well. It becomes quite evident when the Indian people perceive an external threat. Skirmishes at the border often evoke chest thumping patriotism. India's achievements in science and technology promotes a sense of intense pride in us. From successful satellite launches to missile tests, there are periodic events in this field that make our collective hearts glow. We are also extremely proud of our millennia old culture and civilization. We tend to look down upon other countries of the world that do not have that history. Sports, especially cricket is another area where the national pride and passion is all evident. These foster an Indian nationalism that is easy to discern although not always overtly evident.

Other nationalisms too exist in India. Linguistic and regional pride is quite often very passionate. Caste alliances often lead to clashes in rural areas. Religious pride often leads to violence although to a lesser extent than a few years ago. Slights that are real or perceived or not taken lightly.

We Indians argue endlessly about how we are superior to others in so many different ways. Amongst us we argue that our own sub group or region is better than others.  

Curiously when it comes to cleanliness of public places this pride and nationalism is conspicuously absent. It is difficult to shame the Indian public by pointing out the squalor of our public spaces. We wear this squalor almost like a badge of honour. When our detractors demean us by showing the dirt, we are strangely unaffected. We don't make any effort to change the horrendous state of affairs. Much less provocation can cause blood shed in other communities and countries. Other kinds of criticisms can cause the same in India. Try criticizing a religious tenet in India and see how quickly the country erupts in flames.

Some of the reasons we are indifferent to the dirt and squalor around us are due to the many divisions amongst us. If somebody criticizes us, we assume it is directed towards those sections that we look down upon. If somebody calls India dirty we will not dispute it and will not be offended, because we feel that the perpetrators are those from communities we dislike. We disown the collective responsibility and distance ourselves from the dirt. Many Indians will enthusiastically join in to criticize. For the vast majority the squalor of India is not the responsibility of them or theirs, but of others with whom they do not identify.

This state of affairs has to change. We have to take pride in the cleanliness and hygiene of our public spaces. We have to strive make these places second to none in the world. We have to foster a collective Indian pride. Enough admiring other places in the world and thinking we cannot do the same in India. Away with the pessimism that "Indians"cannot keep public places clean. Let us usher in a new wave optimism that will clean up this country literally. Such an exercise will create an atmosphere of pride and positive nationalism that will bind the nation and catapult it into greatness and prosperity.