Patriotism: What Nations and Software Projects Have in Common
by Vinayakam Murugan, Chief Everything Officer
When we think of patriotism, most of us picture the army, a parade, maybe a tricolour profile photo.
But there’s a quieter version, the kind that’s harder to do, but often the one most needed.
Something we can incorporate in our daily lives.
It’s in following traffic rules without anyone watching.
It’s in not littering.
It’s in parking without blocking someone else’s way.
It’s in resisting the urge to honk just because the light hasn’t turned green in 0.3 seconds.
It’s in not speaking loudly when in public.
It’s in waiting for the plane to stop before rushing to exit.
It’s in voting, yes, even if the rolls are faulty, because your absence just leaves one more empty slot for a “mystery citizen” to conveniently appear in.
It’s in paying taxes and sure, I’d like to legally trim every rupee I can until I see proof it’s being used for something more useful than a new ornamental archway.
I used to think, “Well, we’re a developing country. That’s just how it is.”
Then I went to Bangkok and watched drivers queue up patiently without blocking the other lane.
In Sri Lanka, I saw cars stop for pedestrians like it was the most normal thing in the world.
It’s not about being developed or not.
It’s about civic sense - and letting go of that sense of entitlement that says the rules are for others only.
In the Ramayana, there’s a lovely moment when Jambavan reminds Hanuman of his hidden strengths, unlocking his true potential.
I sometimes think we need the reverse today.
Not someone to tell us how great we already are, but someone to gently nudge us: “First achieve… then preen.”
Confident but not cocky enough to skip basics.
Because real pride, whether in a person or a nation, comes after real contribution.
And it’s not just about what we’ve already achieved, it’s in maintaining it, and then pushing ourselves to reach even greater heights.
Here’s where the software geek in me kicks in.
A country and a software project are built on the same principle: the small, consistent rules everyone follows.
You can have the best army or the best architects, but if the everyday players ignore the basics, the whole system unravels.
Maybe patriotism isn’t always loud or dramatic.
Sometimes it’s just using the right lane, committing clean code, and making sure you don’t break things for the people around you.
And yes, By the way - Happy Independence Day. 🇮🇳