I remembered some time ago, one of my history teachers used to poise this simple but somehow difficult to answer question; "What's Independence Day to you?" Back then - as mere impish yet to mature student who believed flattery might work against teachers - unknowingly, upon hearing it, the first thing I did was chuckle as I know rule of thumb always governs - standard question comes with standard answer. I replied "To me... bla bla bla..." You know it people, provided you catch my drift.
Well, that's what we supposed to get as a result of too much abiding in definition. Between a war veteran who fought victoriously against all odds during pre-independent days and a post-independent kiddo - their views unintentionally skewed and the reason behind this is simply experience. To the present day youths, experience is all we need. Don't be mistaken, I'm not eliciting a war, demonstration or something - what I'm trying to say translated into today's point of view is that we are doubtfully, lacking of experience in terms of courage, patriotism and honor.
If truth be told, seriously, both you and me need not be a henchman of war - luckily, Malaysia is war free - in order to portray our courage and spirit of patriotism if that's what we are lacking of. One of the very genuine ways of showing our pride is by raising up Jalur Gemilang - if you are to hoist it up then it's better! (make sure you have rope and pulley). Again, it's not something to brag otherwise it's off purpose.
I understand after all, Independence Day is not about flags raising and merry making but aren't it obvious that the present youths (not all) are somehow seemingly off track of the real meaning of independence?
It's disheartening to hear but facts remained where it's reported that there are groups of people making fun of the flag by raising it up-side down and even burning and tearing the cloth into pieces without knowing that each single stripes was made of each personal stint of blood of our previous heroes dying protecting the country from dignity and insult of highest degree. And yet, to date, the fact that some good-for-nothing irascible young brats playfully mocking and dishonoring this heritage really arouse my firing guts.
I know, you may asked; "Why bother, you are not even born during the call for Independence Day yet alone fight for it?" Physically, I'm not there and even worse, nothing can be done since it's already water under the bridge but tell you what, in case you forget, Rome was not built in a day! If ever a great and unfathomable civilization who stood for thousands of years collapsed through stupidity and lack of wits, what more can a freshie nation like Malaysia who desperately yearning for her people's consciousness do?
The time has come for us to ponder on to this matter seriously. Go to hell with those politicians craps and never-ending lies - when problems alarming, they'll straight away rescuing themselves and their cronies but how about you and me? Those people who are less fortunate? Where do we go when something especially events concerning this nation were to occur? Unless both of us are heir to some sort of billionaires like fathers - born with a silver spoon and private jets as toys - we better stop being cold.
So, what's true meaning of independence? Let me be straight, don't ask me, I don't know either - I'm not some patriot eccentric acting like a saint claiming to know all - but what I do know and sure is the fact that certain quarters making fun and taking lightly of the invaluable independence, we now by virtues of courage, sacrifice and dignity have is unmistakeably wrong!
To the past war veterans regardless of your accomplishments, I salute. To the post-independence generations of which yet to prove something in the making, let's just heed the call of reviving the spirit of Independence Day, realizing the slogan; "Our flags, our pride" This poem; Salutation To The Dawn summarizes it all.
Look to this day! 
Well, that's what we supposed to get as a result of too much abiding in definition. Between a war veteran who fought victoriously against all odds during pre-independent days and a post-independent kiddo - their views unintentionally skewed and the reason behind this is simply experience. To the present day youths, experience is all we need. Don't be mistaken, I'm not eliciting a war, demonstration or something - what I'm trying to say translated into today's point of view is that we are doubtfully, lacking of experience in terms of courage, patriotism and honor.
If truth be told, seriously, both you and me need not be a henchman of war - luckily, Malaysia is war free - in order to portray our courage and spirit of patriotism if that's what we are lacking of. One of the very genuine ways of showing our pride is by raising up Jalur Gemilang - if you are to hoist it up then it's better! (make sure you have rope and pulley). Again, it's not something to brag otherwise it's off purpose.
I understand after all, Independence Day is not about flags raising and merry making but aren't it obvious that the present youths (not all) are somehow seemingly off track of the real meaning of independence?
It's disheartening to hear but facts remained where it's reported that there are groups of people making fun of the flag by raising it up-side down and even burning and tearing the cloth into pieces without knowing that each single stripes was made of each personal stint of blood of our previous heroes dying protecting the country from dignity and insult of highest degree. And yet, to date, the fact that some good-for-nothing irascible young brats playfully mocking and dishonoring this heritage really arouse my firing guts.
I know, you may asked; "Why bother, you are not even born during the call for Independence Day yet alone fight for it?" Physically, I'm not there and even worse, nothing can be done since it's already water under the bridge but tell you what, in case you forget, Rome was not built in a day! If ever a great and unfathomable civilization who stood for thousands of years collapsed through stupidity and lack of wits, what more can a freshie nation like Malaysia who desperately yearning for her people's consciousness do?
The time has come for us to ponder on to this matter seriously. Go to hell with those politicians craps and never-ending lies - when problems alarming, they'll straight away rescuing themselves and their cronies but how about you and me? Those people who are less fortunate? Where do we go when something especially events concerning this nation were to occur? Unless both of us are heir to some sort of billionaires like fathers - born with a silver spoon and private jets as toys - we better stop being cold.
So, what's true meaning of independence? Let me be straight, don't ask me, I don't know either - I'm not some patriot eccentric acting like a saint claiming to know all - but what I do know and sure is the fact that certain quarters making fun and taking lightly of the invaluable independence, we now by virtues of courage, sacrifice and dignity have is unmistakeably wrong!
To the past war veterans regardless of your accomplishments, I salute. To the post-independence generations of which yet to prove something in the making, let's just heed the call of reviving the spirit of Independence Day, realizing the slogan; "Our flags, our pride" This poem; Salutation To The Dawn summarizes it all.
For it is life, the very life of life,
In it's brief course,
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence;
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendor of beauty,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow only a vision,
But today well lived
makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day,
Such is the salutation to the dawn.
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