A look back

It’s the dawn of a brand new year. We have officially entered the 1^st year of the 2^nd decade in the 21^st century in the 2nd millennium. Since there is nothing we can discuss about the year 2010 as yet, let’s take a quick look back at the year gone by.

2009 could be called a very eventful year. A lot happened the previous year, starting from the induction of the first African-American President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama. It was an event the whole world followed; the induction of the most influential and powerful world leader who introduced a new era completely. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October, 2009, after less than a year in governance.

Then there was our very own victory to celebrate; the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the month of May. After decades of brutal war, our mother nation of Sri Lanka heralded a new dawn. The word ‘relief’ isn’t the only word we could use to express what we felt due to this enormous redemption. The celebration on that day was far greater than any New Year celebration. To realize that we could travel on the roads without fear of a bomb blast is a new feeling altogether. Sri Lanka had gained a new day of Independence. Now it’s the unification and development of every province that is vital to stabilize the growth of our nation.

Let’s take a look at a more interesting area of observation; the entertainment world. The year 2009 laid more interest in premature demises of many celebrities in Hollywood. Firstly the premature death of Heath Ledger, an Australian-born leading man who died a tragic death due to a drug over dose early in the year. He left behind a young daughter and never saw himself being awarded a coveted Academy Award for his fantastic portrayal of The Joker in the film, The Dark Knight; also the death of famed leading man John Travolta’s 16-year- old son Jett who had collapsed during a family vacation. Then there were the deaths of famed Golden Year celebrities Farah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels) and Patrick Swayze (Ghost). Also at the very end of the year there was the tragic death of Uptown Girls leading lady Brittany Murphy, who died at the age of 32.

The most shocking and tumultuous demise was of the renowned King of Pop, Michael Jackson, just days before his 50-day concert in London, England. The King, ready to make a grand come back, died under yet debated and fuddled circumstances. No celebrity death was as mourned as the death of the record-making artist who rocked the world with his music, controversies and philanthropy. The late Pop star now lies at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California.

Then there were other controversies such as the Chris Brown-Rihanna controversy; Chris Brown having allegedly physically abused Rihanna during the time they were together. In more couples controversies, Tiger Woods was alleged to have been unfaithful to his wife which had sparked a hail storm of debates with Woods now shame facedly taking a break from the arena of Golf; the dissolve of the marriage of Jon and Kate from ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8’ due to Jon’s transgressions.

There were many other incidents that rocked the world during the year 2009. The spread of the H1N1 Virus, commonly termed ‘Swine Flu’, a rapidly growing endemic which seems at present controlled. The sentencing of Bernard Madoff to 150 years in prison after committing the largest ponzi scheme in history, Tareq and Michaele Salahi attending the state dinner at the White House despite not  being invited for it, Josef Fritzl was sentenced to life in prison after having imprisoned and raped his daughter for 24 years, auto maker Chrysler declares bankruptcy, Miss California USA Carrie Prejean stripped off her title due to violation of her contract, and so much more. Did I miss out on anything important????

Well, welcome 2010 and here’s hoping that this year will give us more gossip, great stories and grand events to talk about. Here’s wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!!!

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