Reflect

~Are You Truly Patriotic?

Upcoming cricket match or FIFA? Beast mode.

Paint your nation's flag across your face and arms and leave no sign of skin.

Honk your horns across the city, loud enough for even the deaf to hear.

Go wild over each wicket or goal.

Throw parties for your "beloved" country after each victory.

Call yourself a patriot!

Independence Day soon? Great!

Start thinking hard on your oh-so-tearful status update on your "beloved" country.

Spend hundreds of bucks on clothing of your flag colors.

Prepare for that two-long hour drive to catch a glimpse of fireworks.

And yes, do not forget to shout to the world on being a proud citizen.

Call yourself a patriot!

Politics? Rage.

Spit your opinions.

Enforce your views-- convince.

Become a know-it-all and an "expert" all of a sudden.

Do not forget to vote because after all, you want the best for your "beloved" country.

Call yourself a patriot!

New job offer overseas? Acceptance from a renowned university abroad? War? Wait a second...

Pack your bags.

Think no more.

Run after opportunity, build your future!

Who cares about one's roots anyway?

Why live in the past, this is the new age!

Should I call you a "patriot" now?

On what grounds do you deem yourself patriotic? Just because you can become a maniac on a sporting match, Independence Day or in regards to country politics does not mean that you are a patriot.

Would you turn down a job/university offer-- no matter how tempting, and live in your motherland for the rest of your life and serve its needs before catering to yours?

Would you die for your nation? Would you fight for it and sacrifice all that you have?

No? Then think thorough before calling yourself a "true patriot".

"A man is a patriot if his heart beats true to his country." - Charles E. Jefferson

Young men on a journey to defend their nation— leaving behind all that they have; are you one of them?

Ilsa Tariq

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