Page 160 - Musings 2022

narratives of nationalism assaulting my poor mind. I reassured myself that we have passed the

era of freedom fights and boycott of foreign goods but somehow his words stirred some kind
of a nationalistic fervour within me. Probably this was his trump card. What should I do?

Should I buy the phone I like or should I think about the economy of the country? Should I put
the nation first or is it fine to be a little selfish? Modi’s speeches, Government advertisements

and noisy media debates raced through my head and the logo of Atmanirbhar Bharat danced in

my heart. The idea of contributing to nation building never occurred to me when I was
comparing hundreds of phones the other day. If I go ahead with my choice, the salesman might

throw a scornful look at me, as though I am an anti-national. Confused, I turned to my husband
for help. He assured me that I should go ahead with the phone I like and not to think too much

about whether it is an Indian make or not. As these words came from an officer working in the

army, the institution that is considered as an epitome of nationalism in the discourses these
days, I finally decided to go ahead with my choice and got out of the shop.

One week later I got the parcel that I was eagerly waiting for. As I opened it and took out the
phone, to my utter surprise, it was written on the box – ‘Made in India’! I couldn’t believe my

eyes and I thanked my stars. Here I am, using the phone I like and not hurting the national
sentiments! I do not know if my feeling of nationalism is phoney, but for sure, the purchase of

a phone stirred some nationalistic ideas in my mind!

160