Patriotism

Govt is not nation. Patriotism is never directed or valued for govt in power. Sometime going against incumbent govt too is patriotism. Questioning failures of govt is just and democratic. Don’t judge anyone just because they are judging govt officials in power. Also the labels of patriotism if any is gained for how consistently our actions help our nation grow stronger in stature, strength and reputation in future, these virtual labels of patriotism are not distributed by bullies who think sloganeering and politicising for garnering votes and creating disruptive narratives is patriotism and having illusion that such certificates they would be distributing.

For perspective, US lost Vietnam war not because it fell weaker against locals but because of strong US media which reported atrocities of US forces and uselessness of war. Same was for Afganistan. Those true patriots were never called antinational. Some were even honoured. Seymour Myron an investigative journalist exposed notorious the My Lai massacre of Vietnam for which he got Pulitzer Prize, also received public and govt recognition in US. It was free US media which was first to expose such wrongful acts of their own country without any fear of being called antinational. Watergate too is fresh.

Godi Media during war

Our brave hearts were  anyway dealing with the enemy the way they best capable of, but  how godi media was found dealing with Indian sensibilities with shameless warmongering, spreading fake provocative news with doctored visuals, anchors indulging in juvenile theatrics with communal tones, is nothing short of war crime, something which must never go unpunished even if that takes few more years of waiting knowing the hands of protection they enjoy. They  sullied India's name and image during war time in eye of international community. Who in global audience would believe our factual official communication now given this 'wolf and shefard' narrative created by these channels.   This is an antinational act of first degree. It's unfortunate that we have weak opposition acting ineffectively. 

Get prepared

Though people who have nothing to lose are the most charged ones on social media calling for immediate action, practically it does indeed take time to be effective for gaining success in modern multifaceted war. 

For perspective, even though for some ignorants of today who learn common basics at whatsapp, the war of 1971 might be just a quick fortnight one, however it had practically spread over one and half years since the time West Pakistanis started their nefarious atrocities over Bengalis in east Pakistan. 

While army prepared the ground and fought adroitly when the actual time came, the war machinery in terms of international diplomatic manoeuvres, public mobilisation and resource built up were being fortified months earlier. That enabled forces to keep focus on the task they were best at, rather worrying about external interventions and resource crunch or lack of public support which was handled by political leadership. Govt not just proactively took people of every opinion along but also prepared them well ahead and also held extensive international diplomacy at the same time to win crucial support. Imagine the outcome, if the plan went day or two to either side of operations when even US was at our doorsteps but before we completed the task and declared 'it's over'. Leadership played most vital role.

Much before all that, black out drills were norm for more than a year in towns and villages across northern and eastern India. All vehicles were forced to blacken upper half of head lights. Residents were asked to paste black papers on window panes ( people even used carbon papers). School used to have army officers address students about safety and precaution very regularly months before the war. Bunkers too were prepared in most of the border states for public. 

War is fought by every citizen alike. 

This is just to post a perspective when we drill out a practice now.