Johnny

back

The whole world lives in Newham.  Newham is a dynamic multicultural society buzzing with people from all over the world.  This cosmopolitan borough is filled with Africans, Arabs, Asians, Caribbeans, Europeans, Phillipinos, Russians and more.  Over 110 languages are spoken everyday.  According to the 2001 Census, Newham has a 60.6% non-white population.

When people come from different backgrounds they bring along their own unique cultures, ideas and customs.  It is the mix of these cultures, ideas and customs that make Newham a thriving and dynamic society.  New York is a great city because people from all over the world settled there.  I dream a similar success for Newham.

The diversity of Newham is reflected everywhere.  Look at the names of my schoolmates.  Chigoziem, David, Mohammed, Osei and Patel to mention a few. They originate from almost every culture, religion and society in the world. 

I'm generally known as Johnny (…English!).  My name has an English flavour but has its origin in the Bible and the Hebrew language.  It means 'God is gracious'.  My parents named me John because my father liked the name very much. 

I was born in Newham, more specifically, Newham General.   I spent the first few months of my life in East Ham and then went to join my Father in Dubai.  I was there for nearly a year.  Since then I have lived in Newham.   I have studied in three local schools: Altmore, St Michael's and St Bons.

My parents come from !ndia.  My Father was born in India but my Mother was born in Singapore while her father was serving in the Royal Navy.   They lived in the south Indian state of Kerala.  Kerala is known for its towering palm trees, rolling green hills, stretches of paddy fields, endless blue water lagoons and sunny beaches.  Kerala means 'the land of the coconuts'.

Kerala is poor in natural resources and many people have to work outside the state.  This gave education very high prominence in the state and Kerala has today 100% literacy.  The population of Kerala consists mainly of Hindus but there are a large number of Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and other religious believers who live in communal harmony.

The most important festival in Kerala is Onam.  It is a harvest festival and celebrates the glorious reign of Mahabali, a legendary King.   Kerala is renowned for its colourful Hindu festivals, Chinese fishing nets, snake boat races and a dance routine called Kathakali.  Actors wearing colourful costumes and huge facemasks act out local legends to the beat of native music.

I generally speak English and occasionally Malayalam (read it backwards), the language of Kerala.  At school I study German.  I am part of the school Jazz band and play the trumpet but I can also play Indian musical instruments such as flute, tabla and dhol. 

I am also a bookworm (remember the Big Read!). I read 2000 books to celebrate the new millennium.  My reading achievements were recognised by the Shining Through Awards and the (Disney/McDonalds) Millennium Dreamers Award.

I am a practising Christian and assist in church services as an altar boy.  Apart from my Christian beliefs, I also believe in myself.  I believe that anything is possible.  It is not who you are, but who you want to be. I try to stay positive and focused on the things I want.  To help me do this, I often tell myself, 'You can, if you think you can'.

It is this cultural and personal heritage that I bring to the diversity in Newham.  Like me, other citizens of this borough bring in their own rich culture and heritage from every continent in the world.  Newham is a melting pot where all these values mingle and evolve into something very dynamic and beautiful. 

There are a number of important developments happening in Newham.  Some of these developments are the Euro rail terminal at Stratford, London cross rail link, Lower Lee Valley developments and the 2012 Olympic bid.  These developments when combined with the dynamism of the multicultural society will change the face of Newham forever.

These are good omen; but the diversity can lead to tensions between communities and cultures and evils like drugs and crime.  The people of Newham must be educated on such issues.  We should conduct programs to create awareness and overcome such dangers.  This will ensure that Newham flourishes as a true multicultural capital of the world, more famous than New York!