I have always wondered, what is the difference between regionalism and patriotism. I believe that most of the people use regionalism in negative sense while patriotism in a strongly positive sense. Do political lines make such a large difference or is it some kind of loyalty towards the government?

I feel that in our schools, it is ingrained into our mind that its good to be patriotic, without making a clear definition of patriotism (is it about abusing Pakistan or about feeling disgust at the expulsion of cricket team from the world cup), which gives rise to more chauvinists than anything else.

regionalism is something that needs to be avoided I feel. That makes things biased and totally unfair !

On the other Hand For me, patriotism is learning to respect my country's own heritage, culture and its various good things; while also noticing the numerous faults in the social, political, religious and economic structure. But patriotism doesn't end there at all. I have seen lots of people pointing out the faults in the system while doing nothing to try to eradicate them. That is no patriotism. Unless we try as hard as we can for the development of India and its people, we aren't patriotic in the least sense. I mean singing the national anthem standing before the national flag doesn't make us patriots.

If we don't fight for our country's upliftment, we aren't patriots. And it's absurd to associate supporting the cricket team with patriotism. It is one thing to enjoy cricket and support the national team, but who becomes a patriot by doing just that!

I feel regionalism is the one which is eating up India from inside.Simply look into whats going on In Banglore they don't like people from Tamil, in Chennai they don't like North in Mumbai they don't like UP.

Patriotism definition for me is "Being in love with India" you can do anything and everything from basic step to keep your city clean to cheering for India in cricket even they lose.The true Patriotism you can see when there is war or Bomb blast in some city all are together for securing Country without thinking of region or community i feel that Patriotism which we need every time.

I think u also misunderstood like many, the "concepts" of regionalism and patriotism , the question is wrong it should be Regionalism Vs. Nationalism. patriotism is just love for one's land. if it is one's region then it is regionalism and it is patriotism for one's country it is called nationalism. Regionalism is NOT same as anti- Nationalism.if regionalism demands something against the nation then it becomes Anti- Nationalism which should be condemned. According to me regionalism is must because unless he cant love his family. how could he love his neighbors. the one who wants to keep his house can only think of keeping his street clean. similarly those who wants his region prosperous will wish his country to be prosperous.It is ridiculous to think of Kashmir issue for a bihari whose state still dwells in poverty. National leaders are not born in the nation directly. they took birth in their region and grow up to nation.weather vallab Patel became sardar or Gandhi became bapu it is Gujarat only. Later with their more wider thoughts they grew to national level. Regionalism is good. grow as good regionalists and nationalists too.

You gave the definition of Regionalism very correct love for ones region and i think we don't need this we should stop Dividing India as states or Regions we should see it as one units.We should love India before our region.or else see whats happening MNS is asking for the visa before we enter Mumbai if it happens like this then?

Look into news today flood in AP is much due to the communication missmatch or u can say BJP and Cong states Karnataka and AP mismatch and we are losing in millions due to this.Do we need such Regionalism who care for region before the nation?

And you said right one who wants to keep his house can only think of keeping his street clean but in the name of Regionalism people are keeping there home clean by making there street dirty

first you spoke of MNS asking for visa to enter mumbai,tell me what action does govt had taken? nothing... but if i was asked to take an action i will order to shoot the leader down because he is against the nation. when the nationalism and regionalism contradicts it is nationalism that should be voted. curb the voice when they are low if they are wrong. dont wait till they become strong.

secondly, communication mismatch.... whose mistake is this?? the centre... the centre has to take care of coordination between the states. it is not done properly as they dont have interest in at the state level. they need all the time to keep themselves in power. ridiculous administration. regionalism has nothing to do with it. language it is not at all an issue between adjacent states. 50%+ citizens of bangalore can speak Andhra. i am from andhra and i am telling this. andhra has been bordering with 4 states. maharastra,tamilnadu,karnataka,orissa. in andhra atleasts 3 districts can understand oriya, 5 districts marathi, 4 districts kannada, 2 districts tamil. people are more mature and knowledgable than the leaders. it is the strong centre which can take care of all the issues. dont blame the states for what the centre has done. floods is a national calamity. they should take more care in this issue. brother a strong, dedicated, worthy govt at the centre and only centre itself will solve all the problems of our country. not only we will retain states but we can gain new 'state's (believe me).

If we have to understand the root cause of regionalism (if there is such an ism) we have to go far back into the history of our nation and if we go far enough we will find that the present regional differentiation was the norm in those times .It would have been much better if there were four countries instead of the one big India that we have now . we should thank the Brits for giving us the present borders .
But when we think about it a bit more rationally its not all that good is it ??? we have porous borders and a rotting shell . does that mean we have strong nation ?
I Admire the youngsters of today like you for thinking objectively and making an effort to question such beliefs . I feel you are blessed to be living in a world which is more of a global village .

Regionalism and patriotism are two the opposite banks of a river... clearly, patriotism is one's love for the county and regionalism being biased to one's own choice...

Yes, some of the political parties are misusing it to fill up their vote banks of the votes of poor and less aware masses...

I don't blame our education system for it...it is more or less subjective to one's own understanding of the things...