What should a citizen – young, or matured and experienced – understand about (the concept of) patriotism?
Simply put, it is “Love of and for country (of birth or adoption)”. For me this should be absolute love that should not be compromised by intimidation or incompetent, skewed governance. One definition I came across advises that a patriot is “one who defends or is zealous for his country’s freedom or rights”. [Preliminary query: am I unpatriotic if I choose not to defend my country if I am convinced that the leaders are fundamentally wrong and evil in insisting on vital policies?]
Frankly speaking, to me patriotism is also about honour at both a personal and collective national level. Genuine patriots must speak out against executive excesses which would surely bring dishonour, disgrace and ultimate destruction to the status and character of one’s nation. Patriotism, of
