In an age where the bottom-line is everything, we seem to have overlooked the most important one.

In adolescence, there was youthful optimism in my heart. Back then, at the end of a movie, I stood and sang the national anthem. What was it that I felt? Perhaps a dose of patriotism and a sense of pride. Stifling the occasional yawn I nonetheless felt some positive vibrations. It was a feel-good ritual. In retrospect, the death of this ritual is symbolic of our times. What are we left with now? Some very mixed emotions.

I am an Indian and therefore I feel a strong sense of association with the green, white and saffron. When the tricolor unfurls and flutters in eloquent motion, I have a strong urge to sing Vande Mataram with as much gusto as Rahman.

I will passionately cheer on our cricketers… whether they win or lose. Every time they go out there I want to witness a miracle. I am intensely Indian during these moments. At the end of the match, when we lose, I am a disappointed Indian but that’s another story.