Merdeka!

During the cruise today it dawned on me the significance and meaning of MERDEKA. Even as a child, merdeka was one of those special days I’d be looking forward to. I went to a government school and patriotism was high above anything else. It was a moral value. Then it just brought back many memories of how we go about celebrating and embracing this spirit of patriotism.

NEGARAKU - I think its absolutely paramount for every government in the world to instill a spirit and sense of Patriotism to all of its people starting as early as Kindergarden. This will be with them through out their lives and ultimately be passed down to the children of tomorrow. Its also a pure form of motivation no matter what race or beliefs you may have.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME- The world as we know it is a beautiful place. With many nations, countries across civilization and culture. At the end of the day, I think nothing beats your own country. This place continues to amaze me. For instance we have our own culture, our own thing going on. We are one of the very few nations whose people speak more than 3 languages. English, Bahasa Malaysia and a native language. Be it Bahasa Melayu, Tamil, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin etc. We hold strong to our roots.



ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL- This is one of my favorites and its actually the best part of being Malaysian. We celebrate everything. Eid Mubarak(Hari Raya) is not only celebrated by Muslims, but also by those of other faiths. Its always amazing to go to an open house let alone try different foods of gastronomic proportions! Chinese New Year, regardless of being Chinese, you get angpow! Deepavali or Diwali. The festival of lights always tends to bring many people together in a cultural fusion of lights, food and style. And it doesn’t stop there, when each of these occasions are public holidays we not only celebrate our respective culture, but we celebrate a NATION with one common BELIEVE. We are Malaysian.

I applaud and support the Prime Minister's concept of ONE Malaysia. I think its been instilled in us for all our lives. As long as there is respect, courtesy, tolerance, understanding and compromise. This will bridge differences and encourage open communication and a free flow of exchanging ideas which I believe will take us to greater heights to do more, aim higher and who knows!-The sky is the limit.

RESPECT to our leaders, people in service and our teachers. Our Athletes who have done us proud and who strived to make a name for not themselves, but for theyre families and for our country.

Last but not least, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Independence day. H1N1 might have scaled it down abit but patriotism is in the heart of every Malaysian. Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather; ask what YOU can do for your country. ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL.

MERDEKA!!