Independence Day

Just for those of you who don't know, this is not just a film starring Will Smith!! A surprisingly large percentage of the world's population celebrates independence from the UK at some point in their calendar. I see that Alex Salmond is busy trying to add Scotland to the list of those to escape the tyrrany of England!! Oh well, in the meantime, I'm going in the opposite direction, with a move south of the border planned when we return from India!!

It really is great being a Scot abroad! People don't seem to realise that is was the UK, not England that conquered half the globe. When people think you're from England, they can be quite frosty abroad, but as soon as they realise that you're Scottish, you've made a new best friend!!

Maybe it's also something to do with kilts, bagpipes, haggis braveheart and whiskey- these are the things that Scotland is known for abroad. We are seen as a quaint wee hilly nation of sheep and claymores!

Great Film if you've not seen it! Amazing how Will just KNOWS how to fly alien spacecraft!

Independence Day (India)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

India's Independence Day is celebrated on August 15th to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India. It is celebrated all over the country through flag-hoisting ceremony and distribution of sweets. The main celebration takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister raises the national flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts. In his speech, he highlights the achievements of the government during the past year, raises important issues and gives a call for further development. Prime minister also pays tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle.

this year is the 60th year of independence. Many Indians are very proud of their independence, and for that reason partly, I'm wearing an Indian cricket strip today- I always get a few comments wearing this. Apparrently most of the Indian subcontinent think I look like someone called Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff, who is an England cricketer...

...I used to think that the similarities were limited short hair, trim beard and white skin, but looking at the picture above I'm not so sure now.

Although there are many proud Indians, there are also a few who feel that India would have been better off under British rule. This is a minority, as Britain really exploited India- the few ruling the many. however some people acknowledge that the Raj also brought India unity and infrastructure. Part of the reason that some people aren't happy about Indian rule is that very few people have any faith whatsoever in the Indian political system. Parties can bribe their way into office, and corruption is rife in India at the highest level.

My feeling is that independence is great, and India will soon be a super-power like America, but they need to stamp out corruption, and put in place methods of better ensuring that the common man benefits form the great wealth that is held by the few in India at present.