Cold about National Day; chilled by comparison

As Cassandra sat at her computer on Monday February 1 morning contemplating what she would write this week, she heard jets screaming overhead, flying in formation. All preparing for the 4th of February parade. She was stymied in her morning walk by policemen barricading a roundabout near her home and standing in numbers directing traffic.

Thus her thoughts turned to Independence Day which is now termed National Day. We celebrated independence from British rule symbolically and truly on 4 February 1948 and ever since there have been celebrations with the highpoint being a parade, then of school children, now mostly of the armed forces. Weapons and vehicles are shown off – impressive to our people and perhaps to the Republic of the Maldives. Other neighbours possess nuclear warheads.

Cassandra has always sat down her sofa watching TV and run though a gamut of emotions ranging from national pride, respect and honour to the Head of State taking the salute of the long line of Forces and felt tears in her eyes seeing the choirs of young ones singing Jayamangala Gatha and blessing the Head of State with the Devo vassasu kalena stanza. She was full of respect as she listened to JRJ and his reference to ‘my garment’ and his ‘koronawa’ promises. It was he who introduced TV to Sri Lanka. Ranasinghe Premadasa was feared somewhat but appreciated for being a man of action and getting things done. Wished regretfully that Gamini Dissanayaka had stood on that podium and not been done away with having so much promise to do good by the country he genuinely loved. Then it was waiting to see Chandrika so elegantly turned out and charmingly young. Mahinda Rajapaksa stood on the dais for many long years and then came Maithripala Sirisena, much admired and believed in until he brought on grave disillusionment. First time Gotabaya Rajapaksa will receive the salute, raising of mascot elephant’s trunk, greeting by dancers and preceding all that, by young ones singing the national anthem and Jayamangala Gatha. We do not expect the national anthem to be sung in Tamil also. More’s the pity! What a huge fresh and invigorating message of unity and recognition of all races was conveyed when first we had the Anthem sung in Sinhala and then in Tamil starting in 2015, at this Fourth February celebration. Wonderful gesture by the Yahapalanaya government, though short lived. Was it Sirisena turning bigot who killed this?

This 73rd celebration

And how is it this year? No enthusiasm at all from Cassandra. Has she changed? Yes, in a way. She is determined to curb her acid tongue and scribe carefully. Mines are present. But her nationalism and pride in the parading Armed Forces and empathy with the singing children are not diminished one bit. What is diminished is hope for true democracy continuing with justice to all. Diminished is also hope for a just future. Certainly this is not due solely to Covid-19. All nations face this disaster. What we face with disillusionment is man-made. But, the President’s address to the nation at Independence Square was inspiring. Can we have hope?

Oft repeated yet relevant comparison

At long last Cassandra is discerning and wary about fake info, specially that which travels the ether and lands in her computer in-box. She is of the old school that believed what is said and written by people in the political field and media is true. Now she is wiser. However she believes a recently received video clip is genuine since it records Lee Kuan Yew (PM from 1959 to 1990) as he delivers an inspiring message on the eve of a Singapore National Day. Thus very apt at this time and should be heard by all – our leaders; politicians and us the public

What he said was that in 1963, 64, 65 a few got together when in Malaysia and decided to have a cause in life and devote their lives to it and thus was born modern Singapore. “Get the best and ablest politicians and you win. Get fools, jokers, cranks, charlatans, and those with only the gift of the gab and you loose everything.” Hearing that Cass had a stream of Ministers and MPs s flash through her mind! We have plenty of those defined in that statement of Yew’s, including murderers and rapists and of course corrupt-to-the-core individuals seated within the August House. A sprinkling of honest, clever, wise, MPs is also seen, those who want to serve the country and not themselves. Hence the ray of hope we still can clutch on to.

In his address, Lee Kuan Yew said a cheap representatives usher in a cheap government and that opportunities must be equalized and free expression afforded people. People must have will, he emphasized, and government must allow people to express their will. Thus no censorship, except of course libel and absolutely fake news. Admittedly, it is said there was totalitarianism of sorts in Singapore under Yew until newly developed, prosperous Singapore emerged.

How are we in comparison? Much to comment here, but mum’s the word!

The will of the people has been demonstrated recently a la the East Terminal. But what has the government in store regards the west terminal they talk about now.

Extravagance

When I started on this piece on Monday, it was with jets roaring above. Ending this on Thursday morning. The prime thought in mind is the consumption of fuel. And then the dispirited thought: what are we celebrating or even commemorating? It’s National Day Stupid, says that censorious voice of dissent within Cass’ mind. So what celebration do we have to mark as a nation? We have lost on the battlefield of the pandemic, the early marvelous victory snatched away by complacency; advent of thousands of cheaply holidaying tourists escaping their locked-down Ukraine; clusters of infection broadening to social contagion; rackets going on – deforestation and sand mining; elephants being killed due to encroaching humanity and unfortunate villagers too attacked. And the rising cost of just existing in a near locked down state. Also while steeped in debt why the expense of a parade? It may be low key but still costs. Our President is not for show, hence how come? However, we suppose, the show must go on.

Stop Press

So the twang on the grape vine about opening an embassy in Liechtenstein is not fake news but true. It is reported in The Island, Wednesday 3 February. Where is Liechenstein? How many Sri Lankans in that country? Qs and qs as an embassy means money spent. Jeff and Mutt in the same paper discuss it. “More opportunities for political appointments.” Much more.

Admired but always circumscribed by the military Junta, Suu Kyi is again in detention. The Wednesday Editorial gives a timely and frightening warning to all countries: “The practice of allowing or encouraging swordsmen to stray into the affairs that are best left to civilians is as dangerous as keeping teenage boys, liquor and car keys together. Whenever soldiers develop a taste of power, democracy is in peril.” What an apt comparison – down to earth yet deadly!!

The best part of the parade this morning was the singing of the schoolgirl and schoolboy choirs and definitely the cultural dances representing all Sri Lankan races. What a whirl and twirl of colour – batik and pottery predominating!!