Saturday, 17 July 2010

It's Official!!!!

Penned by Psych Babbler™ at 2:46 PM
Here's the Breaking News folks...

As of the 16th of July 2010, I am officially an Australian Citizen!!!

Australian Citizenship Pledge: Affirmation

Yes, yours truly is now an Aussie Citizen. I have always felt Aussie but now I am recognised by the government as being part of this glorious country. I now get to apply for an Australian passport, serve on the jury and most importantly, vote! Once I get an Aussie passport, I get to renounce my Indian citizenship. Which I will do with no qualms whatsoever [No offense to all my Indian readers but I have never 'felt' for India as a country]

In order to attain the status of a citizen, I had to attend a citizenship ceremony. I had sat for the test back in March and passed easily so I knew I was approved. Attending the ceremony and reading the above pledge and then receiving the certificate from the Mayor is what makes it official. The ceremony was for about an hour last night where the Mayor of my local council gave a speech followed by three other state members. Then we took either the affirmation (as the pic above) or the oath (same as the pic but with the words 'under God') along with the Mayor. And then we had to go up on stage and collect our certificates. Kinda like a graduation ceremony. We ended the ceremony by singing the national anthem. I felt a sense of pride I have never felt for any country. I had tears prickling in my eyes when one of the members talked about giving for our community and getting back so much. I felt a sense of home when another member talked about our local area as being one of the best in Australia (and I agree!!!)

Six of my friends were able to attend and I was touched. We went to the pub after the ceremony for a true Aussie-style celebration. Beer. :)

Someone put it really well on a card they gave me: Welcome Home.

I think I was always meant to be here ever since mum and dad bought me the stuffed koala at age 1.

I am home

Until next time,

Cheers!!!
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45 penned views:

  1. Congratulations, Psych!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. bookslifenmore17 July 2010 3:50 PM

    wow!!! Congrats!!!

    As I have bveen following your blog for quite some time I know how much this means for you :-)

    You know what I like best about you? The fact that you have qualms in accepting that India doesn't really bring out the feeling of "It is mine" in you. I have seen people whose heart is in other country but they keep talking about loving India.

    Congrats once again my dear :) Am so happy for you!!!

    I & my baby demands a party from you i.e. when u r in India next time :D

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  3. Big congratulations!! So very happy for you... :)

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  4. That is amazing. So many people seem to have lost the important meaning of voting, and to see that it is one of your voctories in obtaining citizenship is great.

    There is nothing wrong with being proud of where you are, where you are from, or simply whatever you want to be proud of.

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  7. Thanks Smita! I never liked those people who would go overseas and say bad things about India but then go back to India and say how much they love India and miss it and don't particularly like the country they are living in...was very hypocritical for me. Thanks again...and yes, when I am up in India next time, will surely make contact with you and your bub to catch up! =)

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  9. Well, given that I never got a chance to vote in my country of birth (read: I was not recognised at the electoral roll) I am glad to have the opportunity here. =)

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  11. Congratulations :) I have been reading you, you were unofficially Australian anyway :)

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  12. Hehe...thanks! Yes, I was always Aussie but now the government recognises me as one too =P

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  13. Congrats!!!!!!!!! :D

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  14. woah cool .. :) good on ya mate :) ..

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  15. Aniruddha pathak19 July 2010 9:10 PM

    congrats.

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  16. Congrats PB :) you definitely were Aussie at heart and now legally you are one too!!! Great news girl..calls for a party! :)

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  18. Thanks Joel...long time, no see.... =)

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  20. Thanks Ava...exactly, legally I'm recognised now! =) Come on over for the party =)

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  21. theketchupgirl20 July 2010 8:59 PM

    cheers, Mate!!

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  22. yeah i know .. long time .. been really caught up with work .. finally getting some time off from it all chillin at home

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  23. Thats fantastic news! My heartiest Congratulations :)

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  25. Congratulations!
    On an aside, tagged you on my blog. SInce you love reading too :)

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  27. Sounds good...hope to see you blogging as well =)

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  29. That's good to hear...haven't seen you around much =)

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  30. Thanks Rachna! Will check out the tag....

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  31. HAAAWWWWW :O i am SO jealous :( you know that already right?

    But i am happy-jealous :D Yes i am happy-jealous :D

    VERY.

    You know that too!

    You are real sweet and I wish you could pass your citizenship to me :]

    Congo :]

    PS: I love the new header image!!!

    - http://letdmuzicplay.blogspot.com/

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  32. Thanks Shreya! =) So when are you coming Down Under??? And thanks re the header...courtesy my sis...

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  34. Congratulations and celebrations :D

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  37. Congratulations :)

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  39. Ah 16th July: the day I defended. Guess we both are going to remember this day for rest of our lives, aren't we? Congratulations for citizenship. You have been an Aussie for a long time now, so it's good that you got official status as well.

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  40. I don't understand how I keep missing some of your posts! Anyway, congrats, we know how much you love the country! :)
    Right now I am contemplating going to some other country for further studies & later settling down maybe (not sure!). My heart is in Bangkok, but there aren't much opportunities there!!!
    So I'll affirm my feeling now itself... Yes Mumbai is dirty, crowded, indisciplined, & full of lecherous men. I will not deny that all of those thing absolutely disgust me, & if I go somewhere else, I will probably be happier & calmer. But I still will miss the quaint eateries, street shopping, street food , cheating Rickshaws, Bandra, Andheri, Colaba etc. So my feelings are mixed :|
    But again, I'm happy for you. Kinda sad that you hate India, but still happy that you're happy where you are.

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  41. I think the only thing I really miss about Bombay is the food. I don't think you can find street food like that anywhere and I will always love that. Oh...and my mum's filter coffee. But somehow I think for me, like I've said before, there's been something about Aus...it has always been home...makes me think I was born in the wrong country. Wish you all the best with whatever you do and wherever you choose to go! =)

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  42. Memorable day for sure! And yes, it's nice to make the Aussie bit official
    :)

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Thanks for your views...I do appreciate them!

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