INDIA'S 60th REPUBLIC DAY

[nolda]

After the 6.45am mass(daily mass) we had an flag hoisting ceremony in the church premises. Fr. Leo Saldhana sj. gave a short speech on UNITY IN DIVERSITY


It touched my heart very much. In India we have multi religions. In the same manner in our church there are various language speaking people though all are christians. Many young people are marrying outside the religion, for a happy married life or to live as a single person this point 'unity in diversity' carries weight, specially for a peaceful life.

To all Indians A VERY HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY.

[Dodger67]

What has the last 60 years meant for disabled people in India?
What has been achieved and what remains to be done?

[nolda]

This is a very interesting question, doger, you have put forward. Good policies suitable and advantageous to the disabled are formed but implementation is slow. Improvements are seen, changes have come. Particularly disabled might not have been favoured very much but surely country has advanced. Radical changes should be within a human being first, then only one can change external world and so the fundamental changes in the country are achieved.

[sean]

Happy Republic Day Nolda.
We hear in Australia are still ??????ruled?????? by your old landlords, Monarch Queen Liz and her lot, no offence (I like soaps). We had a vote a few years back Monarchy/Republic. Monarchists won by a small margine.
There is talk of another vote, a lot of people want Australia to be a Republic.
I don't know what to think???? 'better the devil you know'???.
I would not be happy to vote for a Republic and end up with President Mel Gibson or President Crocadile Dundee.
Isn't that how a Republic works, anyone can be president if they're popular enough and get the votes (how ever that may be???) no offence.
I see crooks either way.
I will study up before the next vote, I don't feel patriotic.
We've just had Australia Day public holiday, lunatics driving around with Aussie flags on their cars like Gestapo staff cars, spooks me out. Just seems to fuel racism amoungst the unconscious.
Nolda what is living in a Republic like for you, the good and the ? bad?. sean.

[nolda]

:)Sean, living in a Republic is just like- "EVERYBODYS' PROPERTY IS NOBODYS' PROPERTY"

Peace and harmony is the only way to live.

We are thinking of coming to Australia in the near future, my husband's niece has invited us (and Michelle wants to know how the disabled lives over there). Let me have a Aussie feel.

[LisaJoy]

Nolda, I thought you'd enjoy reading this. Saritha Prabhu is an immigrant to the US from India; she has been a columnist for our local newspaper for several years and I always enjoy her insights.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100129/COLUMNIST0108/1290324/1008/OPINION01

[sean]

Sorry Nolda, I asked a ridiculous broard personal question there.
Everybodys' property is nobodys' property, not sure if the bold print is approval or not.

Gee, hard question for me, assuming your asking for a feel of the country, and not what it feels like to feel an Aussie lol.
You've really got me thinking (thanks). If you had asked me what's wrong with Australia, I could go on and on (an old depression thing) thankyou for the reminder.
That Australia is a great place to be, freedom, opportunity, choice.
My guess is that OZ is comparable to most modern developing countries.
As with India, there have been great changes, I'd say the last couple of decades people with disabilities, politically and socially have been given a place. It's a work in progress.
Nothing is impossible with in reason.
I've heard it from several leaders that 'how we treat the less privilaged is testament to how good we are as a country' Good words but action is slow.

Australia was Colonised/invaded only a little over 200 years ago, what it lacks in history (so far) it makes up with newness and youthfull spirit.
The Indiginous/Aboriginal people who were here possibly 60 thousand years before colonisation have been treated atrociously/masacred. Only as far back the 1970's aboriginal children were taken by law from there homes and parents to be assimilated into 'white' Australia.
Australia has grown and changed in leaps and bounds since then. We now have a government willing to admit and apologise for past wrong doings.
There I go on my soap box!!!
Can't just give an all positive patriotic spin like a travel brochure.
I feel ashamed to be Australian when I see a map of the world, I see this huge empty continent with only 21million people in it ?????? our Asian nieghbours are bursting at the seams with over 206 million.........I could go on!
Nolda it's a beautiful country, wide open spaces, fresh air, tropics in the north, sub tropics through the middle, european climate in the southern regions, endless coastline, the rough outback, rural areas, cities (nowhere near as daunting as Mumbai, Ciaro or London). OZ is very multi-cultural (even though our migration policies suck) muti-religious embrassing modernity on the road to maturity.
I think it is a land of opportunity, living here you become complacent about the wealth of opportunity around us.
For me as someone with SB growing up here, above all my struggles is a sense of privilage to have been born and live here. I have freedom and choice I'm a very rich man.

[nolda]

I read few articles of Sarita Prabhu especially the 6oth
Republic one. I really liked them. That's it still we are proud to be Indians.
Thanks Lisajoy I enjoyed reading those articles.

Sean, that was my very very personal opinion, I have to apologize
for sounding bold and blunt. A human being's basic requirement is
good health and peace of mind Which we don't have in this world.

I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I try my best to 'practise what I preach'.
Knowledge and research have not brought any peace and good health to
the mankind. Temporary relief and alternative is found. That is not enough
where is human respect? I come from a middle class category. In any economy the sufferer is a middle class person. I won't point out anything particularly or won't debate on these matters. Everyone has to understand one's responsibility.

Jesus said, " You have received without pay, give without pay".
One has to always remember, a person's freedom ends were another's begin.
Said easy, yes difficult to practise but not impossible too. Then may be
a freedom is enjoyed.

I don't know how do I sound now. Thanks Sean, You have beautifully depicted
Australia. So we decided first to have a holiday in Australia.