Australian Ma(i)te!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I "officially" became Australian. After 6+ years of living in this country, I have now been conferred Australian Citizenship. The Ceremony was simple and was presided by the Mayor of the Moreland Council, Joe Caputo. The function started off with a few words from the distinguished guests and was followed by the Pledge. We all were then invited on stage individually to be given our certificate of Citizensship and a native plant (dunno which one I got, trying to find out yet). My interpretation of being given a native plant is that the plant is a symbol of Australia and as Citizens it is our duty to nurture it and grow with it.

Once all of these formalities were done, it was time for the National Anthem. As much as I love the Australian National Anthem, I had a feeling that singing it was not going to be that special. I proved myself wrong, for when singing "Advance Australia Fair", I had a few goosebumps. Afterall, this is a country where I have spent the last 6+ years of my life. I enjoyed the feeling, knowing very much that I am Indian by heart, by soul and by whatever else. I fell bad though that my India Passport is no longer valid and I am speeding up my OCI application so that I will never have to obtain a visa to travel to India.

A couple of days ago, I was speaking to a colleague and I said "I cant wait for November", and when he asked "Why?", I replied "Because I am going home". He shot back with "Were'nt you at an Australian Citizenship ceremony not long ago?". I expected that question and replied to him "It will take more than just a ceremony to make Australia my home" :)

I am proud of the 46 Olympic medals that Australia won, but I am more proud about the 3 Olympic medals that India won :)

Talking about the Olympics, I did not have the time to blog during week 2 of the action and just for a round-up on that - it was amaing to see India come back with our biggest haul of medals ever. Sushil Kumar and Vijender Kumar deserve Kudos for their efforts. The upward trend - Bronze in Atlanta, Silver in Athens, Gold + 2 bronze in Beijing bodes well for India and we should continue with this trend. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi and London 2012 should be the next targets.

The Olympics in all was Fantabulous and it was 2 weeks of sheer BLISS in front of the TV. Watching champions like Phelps and Bolt perform on the worlds biggest stage was amazing.

I am very tempted to write more about athletics. The hurdles and the batten played villain to many a Olympic hopes. The hurdles saw favourite Lolo Jones and Suzanna Kallur fall and in the mens, Chinas golden boy Liu Xiang got injured and in the Relays US, Great Britain and Jamaica were among the horror upsets. It was great Drama in all, but none greater than the Fairy Tale that is Usain Bolt - 3 Golds in 3 WR times.

I started the Olympics as an Indian Citizen and finished it as an Australian. The olympics was the same, wasnt it? Nothings changed!!!