Gautam Gambhir believes patriotism should not have an expiry date

The out of favour Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that the patriotic sentiment should not be restricted only for particular days. The country observed Gandhi Jayanti on Monday (October 2), the birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The day is celebrated all over India to mark the respect to the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. However, the Indian opener feels that one should be patriotic throughout the year and not only on specific days of the year.

Gambhir has often expressed his support for the defence forces. The cricketer has, on many occasions, come out in aid of the families affected by violence and terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. Recently, he announced that he would fund Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Abdul Rashid’s daughter Zoha’s education for a lifetime after he was killed in Anantnag on August 28. Also earlier in the year, the Gautam Gambhir Foundation launched a free community kitchen in West Delhi which earned accolades from many of the stalwarts in the country.

Gautam Gambhir, on Tuesday morning, took to social media website Twitter to express his dissatisfaction over the people being patriotic only on 15th August, 26th January and 2nd October and appealed to be proud of the country throughout the year. His message for his followers read, “Seems Aug 15th, Jan 26th &Oct 2nd have 24 hrs shelf life/expiry date. Not xpecting 365-days jingoism but subtle patriotism shud always throb.” He emphasised that patriotism should always reverberate in the minds of the people of the nation.

The tweet of Gambhir:

Seems Aug 15th,Jan 26th &Oct 2nd have 24 hrs shelf life/expiry date. Not xpecting 365-days jingoism but subtle patriotism shud always throb.

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) October 3, 2017

Gambhir vying for national call-up

The Delhi cricketer is working hard these days to make a comeback to the national call up these days. He last played for India in the Test series against England in Rajkot late in 2016. The opener has not featured for the country in the limited overs format since 2013. The soon to be 36-year-old cricketer is the player who played crucial roles in India winning both the World Cups in 2007 and 2011. He had scored 75 in the final of the inaugural edition World T20 against Pakistan and 91 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai against Sri Lanka in the title clash of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.