52nd Merdeka Day

I was only 6 when our nation achieved independence. I have little collection of the happening then. What I remember were events that took place during my school days. There were lots of program for us school kids. I was always taking parts in cultural shows, elocution contests, big walks........in the name of nation building. I took part in those programs despite having to help my parents with the daily chores: I had to carry drinking water from the public paip to my rakit home; I had to collect empty milk cans from the back of kopitiams and clean them for my mum's coffee stall (to carry take-away drink) and I had to baby sit my younger siblings..........Life was tough but I had fun.

In the neighbourhood, my sisters and I were called Yah, Ti, Nab,and Yam by our Malay Friends. We had Pok Su and Pok Ya who would give us free kelubi and sugar cane whenever they stopped by on their way to the market. Mok Su would give us extra 'tepung bungkus' (malay kuih) for our purchase.

I grew up in a melting pot. I was aware of the differences between my Malay friends and I. I was fine with it when I was young, I was fine with it when I joined the teacher training college in the 70's and now as we celebrate our 52nd Merdeka Day, I am still fine with it. Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!