Popcorn Nation

The other day, I stood up for the national anthem just before the movie. However, this time I was a little irritated. I had caramel popcorn in my right hand and coke in my left. Now what was I supposed to do? Stop eating? Fold my hands with reverence? Better still, genuflect? These were my thoughts as the anthem played on; I did not hear a single word.

As I sat down, however, the notion that we stand up for a national anthem in an entertainment space, struck me as ridiculous. In past instances, I chose to remain seated on the odd occasion; not without consequence. I have had a gentleman question my patriotism. It made me wonder then-is patriotism over rated or overdue. As I came out of that reverie, five minutes of 'A Wednesday' had gone by.

Now that I have stepped out of the theatre, I want to know-what is the national anthem really doing in cinema theatres? I want to know only so that I can help myself understand the significance of the anthem and be a disciplined citizen. Or else my thoughts at the movies would be something like this-will the movie disappoint, shucks I should not have fought with..., what will I eat during intermission.

So why the nation? I will hazard a few guesses.

There is no nation to begin with-in a globalizing world, India needs to be constructed rather than assumed. As people consume and excrete as global citizens, national boundaries matter much less.

As Gujarat offers the best deal to bag the nano, the notion of a centralized state is just that. Gujarat, the industrial mecca does not speak for India-it is the only 'problem free' state where business decisions are taken expediently. Let's forget about what happened to the Gujarati Muslims in 2002, after all the Nanavati report has let Modi go scott free. What has sound economics got to do with politics anyway? Let's celebrate Modi's Gujarat, or should I say Gujarat's Modi.

As people desecrate in the name of religion, the attempt is to construct a nation around a single identity. Kashmir, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, UP, to name a few-contestation. Now a contested nation is no nation at all, is it?

So where can we build the nation? Inside. We can consume a popcorn nation inside a benign air conditioned movie theatre as the contestation escalates outside. Perfect. Don't be surprised the next time you need to demonstrate your patriotism every time you want your cup of cappucino at the cafe.

Don't get irritated, don't question-just chill chill, just chill. Because you belong.