I CAN still recall the aroma of warm roti in the kitchen as my mother would pass me a small bowl of flour mixed with water, not for cooking, but for sticking paper flags to the walls. In those days, the approach of Aug 14 used to bring weeks of excitement to our neighbourhood.

Children would gather with green and white crepe paper, scraps of old newspapers, and endless enthusiasm. Our decorations were crafted by hand — simple and uneven, but filled with genuine love.

Back then, Independence Day was about being present for our community, for the elders, who recounted the struggles of partition, and for the youngest among us who wanted to be part of the celebrations. We did not just wave the flag; we lived its meaning.

Today, things have changed. Now, shops on streets and markets brim with plastic flags, blaring horns, and instant buntings. As a matter of fact, social media quickly turns patriotic for a night, only to return to its usual self the next day. The energy is loud, but short-lived, like fireworks — bright for a moment, then gone.

As such, somewhere between flour paste and LED-lit vehicles, the soul of the celebration has seems to have slipped away, replaced by consumerism and noise.

In Islamabad, the morning after Aug 14 often tells a sad story — streets strewn with discarded cups, torn flags, and food wrappers. This is more than a litter problem; it is a mindset problem.

Patriotism has merely become a 24-hour performance: green clothes, patriotic posts, then a return to indifference. In my childhood, what mattered most was shared purpose — neighbours working together, schools instilling unity, hard work and sacrifice.

We surely cannot rewind time, but we can reimagine our celebrations, adding clean-up drives, tree planting and charity to the festivities. Real patriotism has to be lived daily: following the law, paying taxes honestly, helping those in need, and protecting what is ours.

Pakistan is not a temporary address; it is our permanent home. Let us care about it, not just on Aug 14, but every single day.

Rao Nauman Ahmad
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2025