PNG, 37 years on

INDEPENDENCE celebrations in Papua New Guinea remains colourful and vibrant year after year.
Merging the various culture into that particular special day is indeed a testament of how diversified this island nation is. Throughout the country, eve¬ryone had their own way of celebrating to mark the country’s 37th anniversary.
In Port Moresby, activities were in full swing from open arenas such as the Jack Pidik Park to Ela Beach, school grounds to the University campus and right through to backyards of people.
It was there that one could not mistake the aromas coming from the open mumu pits, kitchen, house cooks and aigir pots containing all the fabulous mouth watery local delicacy PNG is known for.
Papua New Guineans graced the streets and all parts of the city in their red, black and yellow, boldly demonstrating how proud they were of their identity, culture and most important their 37-year-old nation.
Young and old flocked to the Independence Hill on the slight showering morning of 16 September. The slight drizzle could not contain the glitter that shone from the eyes of those witnessing the moment when the national symbol, the flag was to be hoisted.
Heavy, it seemed, as the 10-men team from the dis¬cipline forces knotted each spot of the flag they were destined to carry.
Flowing to the beat of the drums, the men carried the big national symbol up the stairs towards its des¬tined pole, which stood quite tall against the foggy elements of the sky.
Following Anglican Church of PNG, Arch Bishop Joseph Kopapa blessing of the flag, students sang the flag song before everyone joined in to sing the na¬tional anthem.
As the event chairman called Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to the podium to make his official address, the flag took its first feel of its air space.
And indeed it was a spectacular sight.
Children hoisted on his fathers’ shoulders and one who managed to bring along his puppy stood tall watching the flag fly high.
Ten flags installed by the National Capital District Commission at the 5-Mile Jack Pidik Park was a wel¬coming sight for many as well.
Residents of Port Moresby had the pleasure of much entertainment in the likes of local artists. craft arena, gospel arena, singing venues, flower displays, artifacts, information and commercial arenas.
Churches were also filled to capacity as many dedi¬cated their day’s services to the PNG’s 37th anniver¬sary.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill paid tribute to the “founding fathers and mothers of Papua New Guin¬ea” at the country’s 37th independence anniversary in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Present for the flag raising ceremony at the Inde¬pendence Hill, he paid his highest tributes to those who made the dream of building a nation for every citizen becoming a reality.
“Today I also pay my special tribute and gratitude to our nation’s founding leaders for the gaining of In-dependence.
“I say thank you on your behalf of all citizens, young and old, to our nation’s founding Prime Min¬ister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare for his lengthy active and loyal political leadership service to our country,” he said.
He named Sir Julius Chan of New Ireland, Presi¬dent Chief John Momis of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, pioneer woman parliamentarian Dame Josephine Abaijah and statesman Sir John Kaputin who were among the leading lights of their time.
“I pay tribute also to all our former prime minis¬ters, governors-generals and opposition leaders and many other leaders for their respective contributions in the evolution of our nation.
“These great early leaders of modern Papua New Guinea all did well for PNG, to unite our people and to lay the foundations of a vibrant democracy,” he said.
Papua New Guineans must reflect on where they came from 37 years ago to where they are today and where they are heading as a nation in the years ahead.
O’Neill said as head of the government, he is con¬fident that PNG can achieve greater prosperity for the country and for the people.
Special Independence congratulatory messages were also sent from the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and the United States of America’s Presi¬dent, Barrack Obama.