Beyond Flags & Parades, Gen Z Defines National Pride Differently

The celebration of Independence Day has undergone several transformations over the last seven decades, but the feeling of patriotism that it carries every year remains the same. As the baton of national pride is now passed down to Gen Z, celebrations can be seen taking on a unique form, distinct to this generation. 

Born into a world shaped by technology, Gen Z expresses their love for the nation through social media campaigns, digital engagement, and virtual educational content. While hoisting flags and watching parades will never stop being an integral part of every Indian's life, these new forms of expressing patriotism are now taking centre stage.

Contrary to misconception, today's youth feel a close connection to the nation just as much as the older generations. While Gen Z might not have been part of India's freedom or post-war struggles, the feeling of responsibility to keep the nation united and safe is still deeply engrained into their hearts.

What Patriotism Means To Gen Z

Although the movie The Archies (2023) by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti was set in a fictional town in the 1960s, it deeply resonates with the sentiments of today's generation. The film aptly describes the assumption that a lot of elders hold-- Gen Z does not realise their privilege of being born into an independent country.

While that is true on some level, Gen Z is immensely grateful to their ancestors who fought for the freedom of India. Just like in The Archies, the younger generation upholds the nation's integrity by continuing to fight the battles that grip society even today. Voting, social activism, and cultural appreciation are some of Gen Z's ways of preserving the liberty that was handed to them.

In an interview with SheThePeople, some Gen Z women shared their version of national pride and fighting the good fight for the country.

Healthy Scepticism

With so much information at the tip of their fingers, it is easy for Gen Z to stay ahead of the news-- good and bad-- from across the world. This generation sees political awareness and involvement as a duty of every citizen. Having a stance on the developments in our society has become increasingly important, and so is being vocal about opinions. 

Oshi Saxena from Delhi-NCR believes, "Everybody can have a different version of expressing their patriotism and I don't think anyone is in the position to question that. Yes, we as citizens might have disagreements on how things work or question our political leaders, but that does not mean we do not love India. It is healthy to ask questions about what is happening in our country."

Mumbai-based Chandni Solanki agrees. "In the eyes of Gen Z, being patriotic means carrying the spirit of India within, emanating through their actions, choices, and the way they uplift their community. They understand that patriotism isn’t about grand gestures but about the everyday moments infused with pride and respect for their culture... It's a love that fuels their efforts to preserve and celebrate India's diverse and beautiful tapestry, passing down the richness of tradition and identity to future generations."

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Online Engagement

Gen Z has seamlessly woven the fabric of patriotism into the digital world of hashtags and double taps. Spreading information and awareness across the world has become a lot easier with social media, and Gen Z is leveraging this widespread engagement with online activism, digital fundraising platforms, events and lectures.

For content creator Ria Amin, embracing an inclusive mindset within our diverse space defines patriotism. "While traditional notions of patriotism may evolve, the love for India and its rich culture remains strong. We celebrate diversity through content that transcends borders, fostering a sense of unity as one human race," she said. "Patriotism in Gen Z is about embracing our roots while appreciating the beauty of a globally connected world. We also proudly wear ethnic clothing or saffron, white, and green on patriotic holidays, symbolising our love for the nation."

With content creation becoming all the rage today, the expression of patriotism has taken several fun and nuanced forms. Gen Z shows their patriotism by taking India's diverse cultural tapestry to the global stage through social media. While some creators make engaging, informational videos about India's politics or history, some others make content around cultural appreciation.

Jahanvi Tiwari, who goes by @TheBrownDaughter online, said that a lot of creators express their love for the country by fusing a desi touch to global trends. She defines Gen Z patriotism as "The urge to flex their roots and sheer respect they have towards the armed forces." She added, "I see so many Gen Z artists exploring different sides of India & incorporating them in their artistic creations may it be painting, music, content, etc."

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A post shared by Ria Amin (@theriaaminnn)

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A post shared by Jahanvi Tiwari🤍 (@thebrowndaughter)

The youth of today are forging their own direction in articulating their love for the country. To some of Gen Z, showing national pride means finding innovative ways to better the country. To some others, it means supporting Team India in sports arenas or dressing in their ethnic best. But at the end of the day, beaming with pride as the melody of Jana Gana Mana or Vande Mataram fills the air is an irreplaceable feeling for any generation. 

Views expressed are the author's own.