Dr. Samuel Johnson who often has
been described as "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in
English history" and whose lasting legacy is Johnson’s Dictionary of
English Language is also known for his take on Patriotism. The context in which he said to have remarked
“Patriotism is the last resort of S@@###s” is not very clear. It is good to
validate the context in current geopolitical scenario. A couple of articles published in leading
Indian media over the last fortnight on diverse topics had a common theme. Patriotism.
Primarily there are two important
occasions where India Media and common Janata use the touchstone of Patriotism. One annual event of Nobel prizes and second the Olympics.
Let me quote Dr. Venkatraman
Ramakrishnan who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry recently. “People have also
taken offence at my comment about nationality being an accident of birth.
However, they don’t seem to notice the first part of the sentence: We are all
human beings. Accident or not, I remain grateful to all the dedicated teachers
I had throughout my years. Others have said I have disowned my roots. Since 2002, I have come almost every year to
India. In these visits, I have spent time on institute campuses giving lectures
or talking to colleagues and students about their work, and stayed in the campus
guest house. I have not spent my time staying in fancy hotels and going
sightseeing without them. …..
In my case, I am lucky to have had a combination of education, opportunities and a great team of co-workers to have made a contribution to an important problem. I am not personally that important. If I hadn’t existed, this work would still have been done. It is the work that is important, and that should be what excites people.
Finally, there are many excellent scientists in India and elsewhere who will never win a Nobel Prize. But their work is no less interesting and people should find out about what they do. My visits to India confirm that it has great potential and bright young students. A little less nationalistic hero worship will go a long way to fulfill that potential. “
In my case, I am lucky to have had a combination of education, opportunities and a great team of co-workers to have made a contribution to an important problem. I am not personally that important. If I hadn’t existed, this work would still have been done. It is the work that is important, and that should be what excites people.
Finally, there are many excellent scientists in India and elsewhere who will never win a Nobel Prize. But their work is no less interesting and people should find out about what they do. My visits to India confirm that it has great potential and bright young students. A little less nationalistic hero worship will go a long way to fulfill that potential. “
In my view, that is the perception of
one simple soul’s great way of looking at life and work.
And the second article was about
Force India “Our “Own” Formula 1 team, which is in stark contrast of previously
quoted article. Infact the only
Formula 1 team in the circuit which uses a country’s name and wears Patriotism on
the sleeve.
“Those who are getting worked up -
due to nationalistic reasons. Apart from the money, there’s little that’s
Indian in the team. Of the 28 key team personnel listed on their website, only
one is from India – Mallya. Mercedes Benz supplies the engine, McLaren the
gearbox. The drivers are European. Force India is the only team on the Formula
One circuit that uses a country’s name. “
Probably that is the business of
Patriotism. Or Patriotism of
business. “Patriotic Indians” hardly
remember it is the same person who
hired one Kevin Peterson at an astronomical sum to lead his franchise in India Premier League and
then had to rely on our own old war horse
Anil Kumble to save the blushes. Infact there was nothing royal or
Challenging about it till Mr. Kumble took over the mantle. Mr. Kumble who is
a perfect professional whether he
represents the country, state or club , did
a fantastic job without comparing
the money Mr. Peterson took home
for a score line of 1s and 0s..
It is really surprising that most of the people hardly realize that Nationalistic and Religious fervor
are two conditioning tools smart guys have used from time immemorial to influence
the unsuspecting common Janata and have their way. Whether it is in business
or politics.
Probably that is the context in
which Samuel Johnson had remarked that “Patriotism is the last refuge of
……”. His scholarly work of English
Dictionary said to have remained the top seller in its category for some 150
years. And his statement w.r.t
Patriotism will remain relevant in varied contexts till the mankind lasts in
this planet.
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