Namaskar, Namaskaram, Namaste, Vannakkum, Sat Sri Akaal, Salaam-wa-Alikum!
Hello, I am Kannan, from Melbourne, Australia. As you all are gathered here to watch a cultural function organised by the Indian community, I would like your attention for a couple of minutes.
I reckon a lot of you are accomplished professionals and stars in various fields - engineering, medicine, administration, arts and so on. I myself have a small dream and a goal - a purpose to my life. If we do it together, I will feel my life has been worth it! I am asking for your help, because, I need every one of you to contribute by doing your part. It will cost you nothing!
You are all gathered here to see our children and friends present some of the finest examples of our culture - music, dance and acts that represent the most noblest of human spirit and thoughts. They help carry our ancient, revered traditions and pass them on to the next generations. You will all surely agree that they deserve our respect and applause that will follow. Would you agree that one way we can show our appreciation is by giving all our performers respectful, full undivided attention in silence, without causing any distractions for them or for others who are watching intently?
We all know, how it is if it is an "Australian" function or a school program. Everyone sits still and does not move around while someone is performing. No one walks in and out of their seats blocking others who are trying to watch and enjoy every moment. All children, except the infants are kept quiet in their seats - mostly by the example of their own parents or by a polite but firm reminder. If the infants get too noisy, the parents automatically take them outside, giving consideration to others, without needing to be reminded or anyone having to speak out. Our school going children and we adults all, mostly automatically follow this at a function of the Western culture naturally. We are all getting used to turning our mobile phones to silent in such occasions but still need to be reminded. It is in such spirit that I would like to see a new set of reminders for people in such functions.
Why not make our kids and ourselves proud by behaving in 'Indian' functions the same way?
All I ask of you is to remain in your seats, as silently as possible while someone is performing. If you need to move, wait for a break. If you arrive at the hall midway, stand in the aisles at the back silently until that performance is over. Organisers, please train the ushers and volunteers to guide the people in this. Many of us silently suffer. We dont want to hurt the feelings of those who are disturbing us.
Parents, please emphasize to your children the importance of sitting quietly and showing proper courtesy and respect to the artists and fellow audience during the performances. This will help raise the next generation that is going to call Australia their home. They will then have the best values of the Indian and Australian culture in them.
I would like to remind you all of the following:
- Please turn off your mobile phones to silent
- Please do not bring in food and drinks into the theatre or auditorium if it is against the policy
- Do not move around while the performance is on
- If you have to stand, please stand at the back without obstructing someone's view
- Supervise your kids to follow the same rules
- If your children get too noisy take them outside until they are manageable
My life will be worth it if I can help achieve a change in our cultural behaviour in such functions. I look forward to the future when our children will be proud and invite their other Australian friends to such functions without fear or embarrassment - without having to explain the seeming disrespect or inconsideration shown to the performers and other people that we tolerate as "a typical part of our Indian culture". We can all surely do better!
Thank you for your time and attention. Wish you all an enjoyable time watching the program to follow this!
Hello, I am Kannan, from Melbourne, Australia. As you all are gathered here to watch a cultural function organised by the Indian community, I would like your attention for a couple of minutes.
I reckon a lot of you are accomplished professionals and stars in various fields - engineering, medicine, administration, arts and so on. I myself have a small dream and a goal - a purpose to my life. If we do it together, I will feel my life has been worth it! I am asking for your help, because, I need every one of you to contribute by doing your part. It will cost you nothing!
You are all gathered here to see our children and friends present some of the finest examples of our culture - music, dance and acts that represent the most noblest of human spirit and thoughts. They help carry our ancient, revered traditions and pass them on to the next generations. You will all surely agree that they deserve our respect and applause that will follow. Would you agree that one way we can show our appreciation is by giving all our performers respectful, full undivided attention in silence, without causing any distractions for them or for others who are watching intently?
We all know, how it is if it is an "Australian" function or a school program. Everyone sits still and does not move around while someone is performing. No one walks in and out of their seats blocking others who are trying to watch and enjoy every moment. All children, except the infants are kept quiet in their seats - mostly by the example of their own parents or by a polite but firm reminder. If the infants get too noisy, the parents automatically take them outside, giving consideration to others, without needing to be reminded or anyone having to speak out. Our school going children and we adults all, mostly automatically follow this at a function of the Western culture naturally. We are all getting used to turning our mobile phones to silent in such occasions but still need to be reminded. It is in such spirit that I would like to see a new set of reminders for people in such functions.
Why not make our kids and ourselves proud by behaving in 'Indian' functions the same way?
All I ask of you is to remain in your seats, as silently as possible while someone is performing. If you need to move, wait for a break. If you arrive at the hall midway, stand in the aisles at the back silently until that performance is over. Organisers, please train the ushers and volunteers to guide the people in this. Many of us silently suffer. We dont want to hurt the feelings of those who are disturbing us.
Parents, please emphasize to your children the importance of sitting quietly and showing proper courtesy and respect to the artists and fellow audience during the performances. This will help raise the next generation that is going to call Australia their home. They will then have the best values of the Indian and Australian culture in them.
I would like to remind you all of the following:
- Please turn off your mobile phones to silent
- Please do not bring in food and drinks into the theatre or auditorium if it is against the policy
- Do not move around while the performance is on
- If you have to stand, please stand at the back without obstructing someone's view
- Supervise your kids to follow the same rules
- If your children get too noisy take them outside until they are manageable
My life will be worth it if I can help achieve a change in our cultural behaviour in such functions. I look forward to the future when our children will be proud and invite their other Australian friends to such functions without fear or embarrassment - without having to explain the seeming disrespect or inconsideration shown to the performers and other people that we tolerate as "a typical part of our Indian culture". We can all surely do better!
Thank you for your time and attention. Wish you all an enjoyable time watching the program to follow this!
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