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WE wish the happiest of independence weekends to all our readers – and a
special thought to all those of you who are overseas.
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IN some countries, the PNG embassies and high commissions are a focal
point for PNG students and citizens who may be traveling. Functions to
mark PNG independence are the highlight of the year. We recall one such
that we attended in the USA. It was amazing how many Papua New Guineans
turned up and it gave us an eye-opener to the numbers of our people
overseas.
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THERE’S nothing quite like bumping into fellow Papua New Guineans
overseas, although on occasion it can be a somewhat hazardous voyage of
discovery. Walking down Holborn near the BBC’s Bush House in London some
years ago, we saw what appeared to be a PNG gentleman in a black
raincoat walking ahead of us.
***
SPEEDING up we gave the unsuspecting figure a hearty slap on the back
and a “gut moning wantok!” He whirled around fearing attack. Frontally,
he turned out to be a senior prelate from the Greek Orthodox church; had
he been wearing one of those soaring pieces of headwear that are
associated with his church, all might have been well.
***
HIS English proved to be limited and his knowledge of a place called
Papua New Guinea was non-existent. It took quite a long time to
extricate ourselves without creating an international diplomatic
incident. From that point onward we restricted our back-slapping to the
family circle.
***
BUT the story makes a legitimate point. When we’re overseas we see each
other as Papua New Guineans, not as Tolais, Sepiks or Engans. We are
simply proud citizens of our country. What a pity we don’t seem to be
able to adopt the same attitudes at home, where we often view people
from another clan, never mind province, as “our enemies”.
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AND so on the eve of our independence celebrations we urge our readers
to be proud of our nation’s achievements. They are many and varied and
they help make PNG the strong and independent country that we want for
ourselves and for our children. Happy birthday PNG!
***
– Dee Nesenolis
 
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