Belvue:--- A very successful handing out ceremony of first St. Martin ID-cards on '10-10-10' took place on Sunday last October 10, 2010 ('10-10-10') a very special special-, and symbolic ceremony was held that was meaningful to the St. Martin people.During this event, content was given to the celebration of '10-10-10', in recognition of the native St. Martin people.
This was done by handing out the first cultural St. Martin ID-cards to a number of native St. Martiners-, and long-time residents of the island as well.
The following were recipients of the first St. Martin ID-card indicating them to be rooted in the Traditional period of St. Martin.
Miguel Arrindell, Max Choisie, Lino Hughes, Adeline Thomas-James, dr. Aurelius Scot, drs. Mark Williams.
Also receiving their St. Martin ID-card based on honorary recognition of their contribution to the grassroots St. Martin nation building movement were, Kishore Mirchandani (Kishu) and Damodar Ghanshamdas (Damu)
The St. Martin ID-card does not replace the nationality of its holder- rather it is an added identity-value to the nationality of those whose ancestry is rooted in the Traditional Period of St. Martin (1848-1963) and who therefore can be considered as St. Martiners, regardless their color, race-, religion, place of birth- and/or nationality.
Clearly-, this document not only gives St. Martiners a renewed- and necessary sense of pride in their St. Martin heritage- and culture, but it also creates a sense of bonding with other card-holding St. Martiners anywhere in the world as well as a bonding with the homeland 'Sweet SMaatn' land.
Needless to explain that eventually this group of St. Martiners, can become a very powerful constituency in their own homeland, something many had long given up on.
In addition by offering this ID-card to other ethnic residents on the island, who have contributed towards the preservation of the St. Martin heritage on the island, in a very convincing manner a contribution has been made towards St. Martin nation building-, unification and inclusion.
By publicly recognizing- and accepting Damu-, and Kishu as brothers and fellow St. Martiners, the false accusations of hatred against foreigners and of xenophobia have been completely dispelled once and for all.
While the official-, Government organized '10-10-10' celebration was experienced as a real 'bourgoisie' event, the grass roots version has created an enormous demand for the cards.
Preparations are being made by the movement to facilitate the official procedure of accepting somewhere between November 1 and 11 of 2010.
