Happy Republic day to our near neighbours in South
Asia!
ROME: 26th January 2006 -- It took nearly twelve
hours to send off an Australia Day news. Let's hope we can get
one off to India in at least half the time! Today is Republic Day
in India, recalling that day in 1950 when the Indian Constitution came
into force and marking that country as the world's largest
democracy. From austraLasia, then, a greeting and the hope that
it is truly a special celebration this year, given the twin motives of
national pride and Salesian pride as the centenary comes to a close.
When austraLasia began, India was an integral member
of the Australasia Region as it was then called. When the region
changed its configuration and split into two, a decision was taken to
keep the name austraLasia for this newsletter, since it best described
a reality that extended beyond the confines of East Asia and Oceania,
and several hundred of its recipients were and continue to be from
South Asia (that is, when their email addresses work or when they
advise of updates and changes!)
One of the more pleasing developments in recent
years has been the development of Bosco Information Services, which in
its overall technology and possibly in its readership too far surpasses
this humble little news letter. BIS, as it is called, is a model
Salesian news network for a region which is clearly encouraging young
Salesians in particular, but all Salesians in general to communicate
the joys and sorrows of their daily toil. If readers in other
parts are unaware of BIS, then one could suggest a quick visit to
www.donboscoindia.com The service is also available in RSS
(Possibly in India they prefer XML as initials!).
Back in Rome the South Asia confreres are preparing
curry and rice for the midday meal. A most welcome change from
pasta.
___________________
AustraLasia is an email
service
for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions
as an
agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
