I belong to a family that has a great sense of patriotism.

The actor and son of warriors, Nikitin Dheer, once declared with pride: “I belong to a family that has a great sense of patriotism.” These words are more than personal testimony—they are a reminder of the sacred inheritance that flows through bloodlines, when love of one’s land, loyalty to one’s people, and devotion to the greater good are passed from generation to generation like a torch that must never be extinguished. To say these words is not only to claim ancestry, but also to accept responsibility. For the child of a patriotic family is not merely an heir to honor, but a guardian of it.

The origin of this reflection comes from Nikitin Dheer’s own life and lineage. His father, the celebrated actor Pankaj Dheer, and his family before him were known not only for their craft but for their devotion to India. Nikitin’s statement is not boastful, but humble acknowledgment—that the soil in which he was raised was steeped in sacrifice, loyalty, and reverence for the homeland. Such families are living temples of patriotism, where every child is taught that their life’s worth is not measured by personal gain alone, but by their contribution to the nation’s story.

The ancients would have nodded in understanding. The Greeks praised those who lived and died for their city-state, knowing that patriotism bound the individual to something greater than themselves. The Romans revered the family as the first school of virtue, where loyalty to kin grew naturally into loyalty to country. And in India itself, countless lineages have carried the fire of patriotism—families who offered sons and daughters to the struggle for freedom, knowing that the nation’s liberty was worth more than their own comfort.

History gives us shining examples of such families. Consider the Nehru family of India, where father, daughter, and grandson each bore the mantle of leadership, guided by a spirit of service to the nation. Or recall the story of the Kennedys in America, where multiple brothers and sisters devoted their lives to politics, public service, and the greater good. In each of these, patriotism was not a single act but a family tradition, teaching that the noblest legacy one can inherit is the love of one’s country. Nikitin’s words echo this truth: patriotism is not merely personal, but generational.

The meaning of this teaching is profound. To belong to such a family is to recognize that one’s life is not isolated, but woven into a greater fabric. It means living with a sense of duty, of gratitude, and of reverence. It means understanding that patriotism is not only the sacrifice of soldiers on the battlefield, but also the discipline of citizens, the honesty of leaders, the creativity of artists, and the integrity of workers. Patriotism, when truly lived, is a form of love in action.

Therefore, the lesson is clear: whether or not we are born into families steeped in patriotism, we can choose to cultivate it in our own households. We can raise children not merely to seek personal success, but to honor their nation through service, honesty, and courage. We can live lives that inspire others to love their country more deeply—not through blind devotion, but through active contribution to its growth and justice. Every family can become a patriotic family, if they choose to live with such devotion.

In practice, I counsel this: honor your nation by honoring its people. Serve your community, respect the sacrifices of those who came before, and work for a future that uplifts all. Tell the stories of heroes to your children, so they may learn where they come from and what they are called to carry forward. In doing so, you too will belong to a family with a great sense of patriotism, not by inheritance alone, but by choice.

Thus, remember the wisdom of Nikitin Dheer: “I belong to a family that has a great sense of patriotism.” Let his words awaken in you the desire to build such a family, to live such a life, and to pass on to future generations a legacy of loyalty, courage, and love of country that will endure when all else has faded.