As we approach our 49th National Day, our national media are full of reports on the various ways Malaysians are celebrating our hard-earned independence. Various generations celebrate in ways peculiar to their own experiences in life in our beloved nation, come Aug 31 tomorrow.

To demonstrate our patriotism to the nation, we were encouraged to hoist the national flag at our homes, offices, shops and on our cars. It is now common to see cars fully draped with the beautiful colours of the Jalur Gemilang.

In schools, our children are asked to wave flags as they sing the national anthem and other patriotic songs. Almost daily, the schools organised assemblies, had eloquent speeches and other activities towards this end. Being children, most of them are full of enthusiasm and need no encouragement to participate in an environment of festivities during the month of August each year.

Some of our politicians even go to the extent of castigating those who do not hoist the national flag as being unpatriotic and ungrateful for what the country has done for them. But is National Day all about waving the national flag, singing patriotic songs, having parades and organising tea parties? National Day sentiments should, of course, transcend these physical expressions of joy.

It should be a day to recollect our achievements and failures over the years since independence. While celebrating our victories, it is also a time to resolve to right the wrongs in our country. If we fail to do this, all our achievements will be rendered meaningless.

Racial and religious tolerance is at its lowest ebb since independence and is continuing to slide further. Those in power do not appear to value the importance of racial unity. They fail to realise that it is an asset that needs to be cherished and nourished. There is now developing a dangerous trend where Malaysians live only within their own communities.

Corruption has become an accepted way of life among Malaysians. It is a norm these days to 'reward' those in authority for even obligatory services rendered. The ordinary man-in-the-street is not able to get things done as he is not able to follow this new culture of 'give and take'.

Traffic accident deaths are taking a very high toll on our people especially the young. Basic etiquette on the roads is badly missing. There is chaos and driving on Malaysian roads is like going to war. Breaking traffic laws without getting caught is considered a feat.

The crime rate is unacceptably high and is threatening every peace-loving citizen. People are living in fear, not able to go about their routine without the danger of being raped, robbed, assaulted or even killed. The authorities do not seem to have the will to bring the situation under control. There is fear that mob rule will become the order of the day in the near future.

The quality of our education is on the decline but the cost is escalating beyond the means of the ordinary wage-earning citizen. Those in power are the least perturbed that none of our local degrees are recognised internationally. Eligible students with maximum results in examinations are denied seats in public universities. To solve this problem, higher education is being privatised but this further escalates the cost. Many private institutions have sprung all over the country and many of them are of questionable quality and credentials.

Basic medical care has become too expensive and privatisation has pushed it beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. Abuses of health insurance schemes are further aggravating an already unhealthy situation. The quality of medical care at government hospitals is far from excellent as it is managed by junior and inexperienced doctors. Most of the senior doctors have left for 'greener pastures' in private practice and where many of them are fast losing their hard-acquired skills over their years in government service.

An arrogant, uncaring and, at times, abusive public service is a sure indicator of a country's decline since independence. Bias and favouritism to certain groups are a standard practice. There is a need for greater professionalism in the civil service.

Eradication of poverty is confined to just one particular community although it occurs among all the races. The real hardcore poor are not getting a decent share of the nation's wealth. The rich are getting richer while the poor remain poor.

Freedom of expression and respect for human rights are also on the decline over the years. A small ray of hope was seen after our present prime minister took office but there are powerful forces that are eager to extinguish those rays of hope prematurely.

To Malaysians belonging to the minority groups, 'Merdeka' is becoming progressively less meaningful as we are gradually becoming irrelevant to the mainstream development of the country. Not only are we not consulted for any major decisions, but even our constitutional rights are being denied. The very institutions that were established to protect our rights fail us miserably.

Our children are denied admission to public institutions of higher learning; we are not given jobs in the civil service and armed forces and no state funds are allocated for the construction of our places of worship. Worse, they are indiscriminately demolished without proper dialogue or consultation.

To make Merdeka more meaningful for the rakyat, concerted efforts by all parties must be made from now to correct these wrongs. Only with the provision of the basic needs can true patriotism develop in the people.

Displaying flags, singing patriotic songs, wearing special costumes and participating in parades are just superficial displays of patriotism. They do not instill true and lasting patriotism. Nationalism and patriotism are not inborn in us. They should be cultivated from an early age not unlike how parents nurture their children.

The nation, like parents, must provide for her citizens all the necessary needs before it can expect undivided patriotism and loyalty. Only with the provision of these basic needs can true patriotism flourish among the citizens.