Country is the outcome of generational continuity and the strong cohesion and integration of its citizens. Like a relay race that is run on a track-and-field by a member of a team to pass on a baton to the next runner to continue the race, the country is built by the uninterrupted effort and sacrifice of its successive children.
And as the performance of a certain relay team is highly dependent on the degree of its members’ strength and weakness, commitment and perseverance and the energy each member exerts to win, any country’s national sovereignty relies on its consecutive generations’ endeavors to preserve national unity, maintain cultural and historical continuity; and carry them forward into the future.
In a manner the first sprinter passes on the baton to the second competitor and the third to the fourth to sustain the race and win, the contribution of the successive generations in building a stronger country in which its children’s pride in their country is a prime.
Ethiopia is one of the ancient countries in the world built and sustained by its consecutive brave citizens.
As a multinational country where people with different backgrounds, ethnic, language, religion are coexisting in harmony with one another, the generations that came and went throughout times have contributed a lot and left their marks on country’s independence, growth and peace and stability and many more aspects
They successfully defended the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, let fellow citizens breathe the air of freedom, preserved and transmitted the social, cultural, traditional and historic values of the people to the generations.
For instance, the life and blood sacrifices our forefathers paid at various areas in different courses of time, including at the Battle of Adwa, at the diplomatic arena, athletics tracks and fields, in various development activities, such as the construction the Abay Hydroelectric Dam and many more successes can be sited in this regard.
These and other achievements scored by the past and the present Ethiopians have helped Ethiopia to sustain its sovereignty and territorial integrity and maintain its reputation at the international platforms.
Today, Pagumen 5, ‘Generation Day’ is being marked across the nation with the aim to acknowledge the contributions of the past and the present generations in nation-building.
As per the announcement of the Government Commission Service, celebrating ‘Generation Day’ focuses on letting the young generation know the value of the past age in nation building.
Further, the day creates opportunities for the posterity to be courageous enough in facing and beating challenges, to learn from the mistakes of the former generation, and value those who played a constructive role in nation building.
Former Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) member and a Psychologist, Lieutenant Mulatu Gebremarian said that marking ‘Generation Day’ plays a significant role in bringing all communities together for a common purpose and engaging the young people in nation-building based on clear understanding.
Celebrating ‘Generation Day’ at this point in time is appropriate because the nation is found in a condition where negative energy is high; it helps to create hope and courage among the people and to put an end to fabricated stories.
“Our forefathers and mothers have paid all the prices to build the nation. There are a number of gaps and achievements that the past generation recorded, the big deal should be to learn from the experiences.”
According to him, marking the day fosters a sense of unity and pride, and strengthens shared identity among the members of the society. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments, values, and contributions of a number of generations and recognize their role in shaping the nation’s history by creating an informed community and letting the posterity draw lessons from the mistakes of their forefathers.
“Through, acknowledging the role of generations, it could help instill a sense of national pride in motivating the current and future generations to strive for excellence, love of Ethiopia,” he underlined.
According to him, marking generation day should not be a onetime event or limited to a single day of the year; rather it should receive official recognition and support from the government and other relevant institutions.
He also forwarded his opinion and urged stakeholders and concerned bodies to devise or issue official proclamations that could support the celebration annually.
Yifat Development Association General Manager Kiflu Biferu for his part said that, the current generation should beware of the sacrifice paid to defend Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and write his own history.
“This generation should build new progressive ways to safeguard peace and development and pass a peaceful, developed Ethiopia to the next generation,” he underlined.
According to him, academia and other institutions should offer scholarships, research grants, mentorship programs, or initiatives that promote the values and causes championed by the honored generation.
“As an Ethiopian, we should stand in unison to create a lasting legacy of Ethiopia through crafting comprehensive points among the various ethnic groups that could unite us as a nation thereby minimizing the negative energy that is dragging us to conflicts.”
“In a nutshell, it is high time to ensure the impact of the celebration of ‘Generation Day’ in extending the desired effect beyond the immediate festivities spirits.”
As to him, the success of Ethiopia as a nation depends on getting its many distinct ethnic groups to have equal access to all services. Above all, the new blood should be vigilant in framing agendas that could address differences peacefully, and engaged in developing workable ways that could benefit all with dignity.
“I believe each generation brings its unique cultural perspectives, traditions, and values through time; and marking generation day provides an opportunity to showcase and preserve these cultural elements to the next generation.”
He further noted that the celebration also creates opportunities for the nation to appreciate the diversity and richness of Ethiopia’s heritage, through fostering a sense of inclusivity and unity among different generations and addressing gaps.
“The cultural preservation effort could strengthen social cohesion and promote intergenerational understanding and respect among the current and the generations to come. It can also help bridge the generation gap, promote understanding, and ensure the continuity of important values, traditions, and skills to the posterity and add values in nation building,” he remarked.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
