(a) In the context of defence services, ‘patriotism’ demands readiness to even lay down one’s life in protecting the nation. According to you, what does patriotism imply in everyday civil life? Explain with illustrations and justify your answer. (b) What do you understand by ‘probity’ in public life? What are the difficulties in practicing it in the present times? How can these difficulties be overcome?

(a) Patriotism in everyday civil life

While in the defence services patriotism means readiness to die for the nation, in everyday civil life it means living responsibly for the nation. To me it implies:

• Honest discharge of one's duties and truthful payment of taxes.
• Obeying laws, keeping public spaces clean and conserving national resources.
• Respecting diversity and constitutional values, and voting responsibly.
• Contributing to society — a teacher teaching sincerely, a citizen reporting corruption.

Patriotism in civil life is thus everyday integrity and civic responsibility, not slogans.

(b) Probity in public life

Probity means complete and confirmed integrity, uprightness and honesty in the conduct of public affairs — adherence to ethical and legal standards even when unobserved.

Difficulties today: pervasive corruption and materialism, political and peer pressure, criminalisation and money power in politics, weak enforcement, and the erosion of value systems.

Overcoming them: strengthening institutions (Lokpal, CVC, RTI), whistleblower protection, transparent e-governance, ethical codes and training, and, above all, nurturing values through education, leadership by example and social accountability.

Conclusion

Everyday patriotism and probity together form the ethical backbone of a strong and just nation.