Painter’s Gesture During National Anthem Sparks Viral Debate on Patriotism
Painter's Gesture During National Anthem Sparks Viral Debate on Patriotism
A viral video shows a painter standing still on a high platform as the national anthem plays, while students pass by, stirring debate on patriotism and respect.
A heartwarming yet thought-provoking video has recently gone viral, showing a painter at a school who pauses his work and stands respectfully as India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, plays in the background. The painter, seen balancing on a high scaffold with a paint stick in hand, stops and remains unmoving during the anthem despite the safety risk. Meanwhile, students pass by in the corridors below, talking and going about their day, seemingly unaffected by the anthem.
The video has stirred conversation on social media, where it has been viewed over 37 million times. Many users praised the painter’s respect for his country, contrasting his behavior with that of the students, who continue with their activities as the anthem plays. One viewer noted, “This shows why teaching basic manners is as important as academic success,” while another called the painter more respectful than the educated students.
The clip, which has drawn comparisons to daily rituals in places like Thipparthi town in Telangana’s Nalgonda district, where people stop at 8:30 AM every day as the anthem plays at the town junction, has sparked discussions on the nature of patriotism and the importance of respect during the anthem. While Indian law does not require individuals to stand during the national anthem, some feel it is a basic courtesy.
