Faces of the future
As the nation celebrates its 59th year of independence, there is much to cheer about like these young children whose smiles offer hope of a brighter tomorrow.
THE outpouring of support and cheer for our sportsmen and sportswomen at the recent Rio Olympics is a clear indication of how Malaysians from different backgrounds and ethnicites rallied together as a nation. With National Day just three days away, the nation’s daughters and sons will once again demonstrate their feelings of nationhood and patriotism for all to see when they celebrate this year’s theme, ‘Sehati, Sejiwa’ (One Heart, One Soul).
Girls, boys and adults alike will be waving the Jalur Gemilang, some will be draped in it, while others might be donning its colours - red, white, blue and yellow. There will also be those who will be dressed in ethnic costumes.
Schools are also hyping up the wave of patriotism by decorating their premises with flags and photographs of iconic Malaysian figures, such as the country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
They are also hosting competitions for poetry-writing, drawing, singing, class decorations
and best traditional costume - all with the Merdeka theme of course! What’s more, they are staging plays that centre on the country’s rich heritage and history.
It doesn’t stop there. With the nation already famous for its culinary delights, schools have resorted to taking their students down memory lane by dishing out Merdeka fare!
SMK Orkid Desa in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur began its National Day celebrations last week and surprised its students with a taste of what our parents and grandparents used to eat back then – tapioca ( ubi kayu) with sugar or shredded coconut, which a delicacy then.
Another secondary school is also planning to come up with some Merdeka recipes, but that will remain a secret until Wednesday.
Meanhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia launched a Patriot programme to collect funds for Tabung Pahlawan (warriors fund), among other activities.
It also hopes to get into the Malaysia Book of Records for the Longest Palm-Print Jalur Gemilang. The 1,400 meter-long flag will be different in that it will not only have the palm prints of individuals from the Klang Valley, but will have the palm prints of those from other states too.
So is it our passion for sports, our patriotism, or our irrefutable love of nasi lemak and roti canai that unites us?
We asked students, teachers and lecturers what being a Malaysian means to them.
Across the board, students appreciate the peace and harmony we've enjoyed all these years. This is especially meaningful because of our diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
We have assimilated so well together that we have become truly unique.
The students have expressed gratitude that Malaysia is a peaceful nation. We are free from communism and terrorism, and can roam the streets at any hour in search of a 24-hour mamak stall, or, in the past three weeks, a Pokemon.
Moreover, the country has had few natural disasters, which is in itself, is another reason to celebrate.
And as National Day is a day to rejoice, we should as always come together in solidarity. After all, we are all Anak Malaysia!