Top-down patriotism, worth the signalling

Every mid-August, India rediscovers its inner commissar. This year, especially the week leading up to August 15, patriotism is not just a happy sentiment to be independent, but a directive that we must be happy to be free. Some basic actions have been 'suggested' to disperse this message: wave the tricolour, march in something resembling a formation, and ignore silly things like traffic. Soviet-style top-down patriotism has a dependable choreography of its own.

'True' patriotism maybe spontaneous, messy and often inconvenient to authority. But the 'club rules' variety is scheduled, and competitive - 'Our patriotism is bigger than yours.' A nation that still prides itself on jugaad efficiency, willingly embracing this scripted version, may seem ironic. But why take chances on patriotism being too 'feel-good' when it can also serve a purpose? The office-goer stranded in traffic can jolly well smile at a gridlock that really is nation-building. The shopkeeper forced to shut shop early can be reassured: commerce can wait, the 'carefully careless' displays of love for the nation cannot.

This is patriotism measured in decibels and kilometres. For a week, the country is united in this signalling of suggestive bonding. And that is exactly the point: nothing binds citizens together quite like the collective challenge of negotiating a free India.