At the outset, I'd like to convey my regret to Sabrina for what she got to witness. I just want to let her know that she is part of a better and a more loving society. There are people out there who would be far from carrying such outlook as was witnessed by her. So I implore her not to let the incident affect her. The problem clearly is in the mindset (not even people). I am sure many here would have expressed their sympathy to her.
Very relevant topic: 'National Pride vs Jingoism'. I think it was a good idea to have isolated the matter; courtesy Neo2000. Infact, I am glad to have come across the term 'Jingoism' for it clearly creates a line and defines a specific attitude as separate from national pride. Else, I used to wonder why certain people feel so aggressively patriotic and why do I, having been born and grown up in the same country, not get it!
History was discussed here, and discussing it might seem off-topic, but it's actually our history and accomplishments that our national pride must be based on. We should make a
BIG DEAL out of our accomplishments and its outcomes and
infuse in our kids a sense of pride. The Hindu numeral system, the invention of 0, the pioneering insights into astronomy, the spiritual superiority of this nation, have laid down fundamental basis for so many modern breakthroughs of our age. There are
customs and traditions in our cultures we follow in our everyday lives that have wisdom behind them, but we do not know of; a wisdom we can be proud of, instead of irrationality that we struggle to explain. Our history books, sadly focus more on British rule. And the British rule, for that matter is fine as well. It's not that a nation (not necessarily ours) without much in its past to be proud of cannot prosper. That just infuses a will to prove yourself, which infact is the attitude of today's youth (and it's fantastic). Progress can happen either ways. But there really is whole lot of REAL stuff to be proud of, worth of which is not illustrated or rather is not celebrated in the books that our children are educated with. And if there comes a feeling that there is less stuff to be proud of, then we get out there and accomplish new feats so that our kids have it known. What it ultimately does is, instil the people with a certain respect for their forefathers for what they did for their country. And you feel pride in your lineage. And then the country is passed on to you and you don't abuse it. That's national pride. That's something I can be proud of. Higher the accomplishments, more the pride! But asking someone to be proud of something, without telling or knowing what to be proud of is just asking to build up false emotions - false sentiments with no basis. Empty vessels then end up making loudest noise.
As long as we stick with reason, we promote good welfare. Knowing the rationale behind our customs and traditions makes us cognizant of the real motive behind them. Once we are aware of the motive, the focus shifts from the 'custom' to the 'motive'. With this shift, we allow change to happen. Because we open the opportunity to serve the motives better, with the changing times, IF NEED BE. All this by keeping Jingoism at bay, because the Jingoist cannot justify his biggest argument of 'sticking with the tradition' by not serving the real motives better. We must promote reason in our everyday lives.
No one is less capable than the other. Infact, its not that India is
('inherently') better country than any other country. Every country is as capable.
It's what the people of a country do with that capability which makes the difference. And if there comes out a country that does better, then we honour that, respect that, and learn from that, and come out better, or best! It's the best way to progress - to acknowledge the existence of a problem and identify its solution. Inspire and get inspired.
Someone suggested, there are only 2 types of people - good & bad. It's a great thought! But let's take a step ahead in abandoning the bias and just say: There are
only good and bad actions. Then those whom we regard bad know that
no one is irredeemable, and they just need to start doing good actions, and they can start anytime. People with certain mindsets are not aliens; they are our own, grown from our own society. May be just battered and hurt in certain corners of their hearts. Terming someone (extended to some sect/group) as
'bad' is an extremely alienating and damaging act. It creates boundaries as
rahicecream suggested. Forgiveness has great healing ability, for both the forgiven and the forgiving. In this case, the power rests with Sabrina. I hope she forgives and moves on :).