austraLasia
1409
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