By now organisers of gatherings whether at national, locality or at home are putting together their plans to entertain their guests. Save some minor details which will be kept under wraps till the very last minutes to ensure the surprise effect adding further to the jubilant crowds as the clock strikes mid-night. New Year calls for celebrations. Chilled champagne bottles, fireworks, hugs, kisses, all night long partying and other extravaganzas will greet the New Year – 2016. As the clock strikes mid-night on Thursday millions of people around the world celebrate in different custom and styles the New Year.
2015 is ticking away.
A quick look at the past twelve months, 2015 brought about a wide range of tough challenges; hard choices, new opportunities, brought joy, sporadic heartache and even bewilderment to different people and organisations whether small or large at different times.
In 2015, whatever people and organisations had to face, gallantly most sailed on. I have no doubt some look back with nostalgia and pride, others, hopefully a very small portion from within our society, is eager to dump 2015 as quickly as possible. The reasons may be very personal to be shared but the loss of a dear family member, receiving bad news from a health care professional, alerted through the grapevine that redundancies are in the air or tormented with an injustice of some kind are some of the occurrences which turn people’s lives upside down.
On the brighter side during 2015 the stork may have brought a baby to a newly wedded couple, parents may have attended to the graduation ceremony of their daughter or son, informed that the company you work for has decided to promote you to a senior post and many other positive happenings.
However, irrespective of what has happened in 2015 as the New Year is fast approaching many people resort to set New Year resolutions. At this time of the year many seek to make resolutions. I do not make any. I adjust and shift as may be necessary or required. The resolutions bid is customary at the beginning of a new year and many commit themselves to kick-out an old habit, start a new lifestyle, exercise more, quit smoking, drink less alcohol, watch their waist-line scrupulously, take their health-care in hand, do some soul search, participate actively in social life, drop unproductive committee meetings and the list goes on and on.
New Year is perceived by many as a great opportunity to close a chapter and begin a new one rather than an adjoined process in life. What is in store for each and every one of us only God knows. Hopefully, as we grow older we learn how to deal with complex situations. There is no escape route from some situations.
But before I conclude this piece for this year I would like to refer to the L-Istrina marathon. In one respect, the success which l-Istrina has managed to achieve during the twelve hours marathon on Boxing Day is positive. Raising more than €4 million is no small feat. This I very much acknowledge however I have to point out that on a span of time the vocabulary used during the l-Istrina Marathon has shifted from “social justice” to “solidarity” which was later dumped and now “charity” is the flagship.
Although they appear to point in one direction they do not. Assisting ailing members within our society through the necessary welfare state safety nets is a right, assisting people in need through “charity” is something completely different.
Here a question pops up. This needs to be addressed by the powers that be. Is our “welfare state” failing? If the state is shifting the welfare state responsibility to civil society then the state has to support financially these institutions with the necessary funding from the national coffers. Money squandering has been on the national agenda on many occasions. If this is curbed tailor- made assistance should be provided from the national coffers after a multi-disciplinary team assesses requests and make the necessary recommendations.
In this regard an assertive society is inclined to achieve a better quality of life. A better quality of life does not necessarily mean more money in the pocket. Of course, that would certainly help people cross bridges. But passive or reluctant societies unwilling to voice their concern will sooner or later have to pay a hefty price for their inaction. Turning the blind eye will not wash away welfare and social injustices.
Happy New Year!
Gejtu Vella
[email protected]