When we hear about serving our country, picture of army men comes to our mind. Going to military is not the only way to serve country. There are people who are not fit for military. There are people who haven't considered military as a career.

We all are common men who live for our self. What can we do for our country? Many things.

1) Work against communalism- As we all know, India is a secular country. All Indians are brothers and sisters. Those who have the baggage of hate and fear are doomed to live a sick life. Hate and fear arise from insecurity created by some ignorant people or for political motives. So realize it and be secular. We all are human. Spread the message of universal brotherhood. We are one. Being fanatic in the name of caste, race, religion etc only makes your mind and life horrible. Its time for them to upgrade to human beings.

2) Educate a child- Mahathma Gandhi put forward this idea. Sponsor an under privileged child. If you are poor you must teach him or her yourself, and if a person is illiterate then you are the reason, change it.

3) Buy Indian product- Don't buy product mindlessly. If you buy Indian products it helps our country. Next time you go out to buy toothpaste avoid Colgate, Close-up instead buy Ajantha, Babul, Dabur, K.P Namboothiries etc. I felt pride when I did that intently for the first time. Instead of buying Aquafina lets buy Green Valley. Instead of a Hindustan Lever product let's buy Indian product .Hindustan Lever is the Indian subsidiary of Unilever.

Some time there will be no option, and then it's ok to buy other country's products. Take care to avoid monopoly brands. Buy lesser known product let their be competition and let every one survive.

4) Start a business- when you find there is no substitute Indian product for a foreign product why don't you create one? You can sell through, 'Buy Indian Products' campaign. Starting your own business greatly help to develop our country.

5) Do agriculture- This doesn't mean you to be a farmer. I believe it's one of the most respectable professions. Planting vegetables or fruits around your house or even inside your flat will help. You may not find enough space, but do it religiously. Also, plant a tree on your every birthday.

6) Conserve fuel- Always think twice before using fuel. It's needed for whole man kind, for the future generations. Walk if your destination is near or use a cycle. Make good use of public transport system. Realize you are serving the environment, the mankind and our country.

Preserve water, conserve electricity .When you are using your PC for listening music, why should you keep the monitor on? When you are brushing please close the tap.

7) Micro credit- Those who are lucky to have food, clothes and shelter should understand the importance of micro credit. They should provide credit without security and interest to their fellow citizens who deserve it and has a project. People who you believe can make good use of the small capital you give them. Grameen Bank's Mohammed Younis was awarded Nobel Prize for Peace for his work on popularizing of micro credit. If wealth is spread evenly in society, it will greatly bring in peace. Micro credit found more than 90% people paying back loan.

8) Cut down or avoid drinking, smoking and drugs - When we involve in these activities our productivity decreases drastically. Plus we have road accidents, People turning to criminals, addiction etc.

9) Be a good citizen. Abide law, exercise vote, believe in democracy

10) Every week involve in social work .Form a club around your place and work together. Cleaning surroundings, planting trees, making good roads. In a year you could do more than your MLA could.

This article is no way complete. I urge you to participate.

Thanseer M.A