A brave new world

As we go to press, there are celebrations in the United Kingdom and the world, as news of the birth of son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is announced. Congratulatory messages continue flowing in from around the world, from Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries and their leaders. While US President Barack Obama tweeted, ‘So pleased to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the joyous occasion of the birth of their first child,’ Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce issued a statement welcoming the royal arrival saying, ‘On behalf of all Australians, I send heartfelt congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on this joyful occasion. The birth of a baby is an experience to celebrate and cherish. We wish the new parents every happiness and send warm greetings of welcome to the little prince’.

The child will be third in line to the throne after Prince Charles, (born 1948, sPiRiTUAL gopa kuteeram

Queen Elizabeth’s eldest son) and Prince William (born 1982, Charles’s eldest son). Looking at the lineage and life expectancies of the family, it can well be till 2065 before he ascends to the throne. The pertinent question is, will Australia still be a constitutional monarchy, or would we have thrown our shackles off and become a republic? It will be worth remembering that the respect for our British heritage will always exist, as it still does in India and other parts of the world, where Britain has had an influence. It is just that if Australia becomes a republic, it will allow it as a nation, to create an identity of its own without diminishing its values and its antecedents. With its Asian Century White Paper and its desire to be closer to Asia, Australia being a constitutional monarchy does not make sense when most of the neighbouring countries are strong Republics in their own right.

Australia needs to move forward in the brave new world with its own head of state responsible to its own people, rather than the Queen or King in another country. While the idea of becoming a Republic has been debated before and even put forward as a referendum twice in the past (and defeated), perhaps a new push needs to be made in this direction.

One is sure that a President of Australia can be nominated, who will have the interests of all Australians at heart and will be apolitical. India has been doing this for over 63 years; it is time Australia joined this part of governance while keeping its Commonwealth traditions alive.

On another matter, in this new world one needs to acknowledge and admire the bravery of Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai and her family. Malala has become a symbol of courage for her activism in education and women’s rights in the Swat Valley, where the Taliban has at times banned girls from attending school. In retaliation, the Taliban shot her in her neck and head as she returned home from school, just nine months ago. Malala was in a critical condition but has recovered and earlier this month on her sixteenth birthday, made a passionate speech at the United Nations in which she said education could change the world.

While she spoke about education, she also acknowledged that being shot in the head changed nothing for her other than ‘weakness, fear and hopelessness died’.

In this new world, a brave new soul who can talk about her convictions has inspired all.

4th sunday of every month

4pm-5:30pm

The Global Organisation for Divinity runs free spiritual educational classes for children aged 4-12 years. Crestwood Community Centre, Crestwood Drive, Baulkham Hills. Parents can join in the devotional lecture by Sri Deepak Vinod. Classes are also being run in Liverpool.

Baulkham Hills details: Jayashree on 02 9620 4676. Liverpool details: Deepak Vinod 0422 127 956.

Ramakrishna sarada Vedanta society of NsW activities

Sri Krishna’s Birthday at Vedanta Hall sun 1 sept 10.40am-12midday

Program insilent Silent

Meditation, Group chanting of the Sanskrit and reading of the English translation of Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad

Gita, Talks by Pravrajika

Gayatriprana & Saptarshi Ray.

Venue: Vedanta Hall, 15 Liverpool Road, Croydon.

Details: 02 9745 4320 or email: admin.saradavedanta@ bigpond.com.

Website: www.saradavedanta.org