Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1279544
12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 AUGUST 2020 Ivan Bartolo Ivan Bartolo is a Member of Parliament for the Nationalist Party OPINION OCCASIONALLY I have flash- backs and nostalgic feelings of my childhood. Memories of the past. The past that was the basis of our life today and in the fu- ture. I remember the baker com- ing down our street honking the horn and everyone gathering around to buy a loaf of bread. I remember the grocer that served our daily needs. I remember the milkman and the fruit vendor coming to nearby streets, shout- ing to draw attention. I remem- ber the tinker man coming along on a horse-drawn cart shouting his presence. Then came the bus- es, a ride was an experience in it- self. This all contributed to com- munity spirit and gathering. All these necessities were taken over by supermarkets. Instead of peo- ple coming to satisfy our needs outside our doors, we go to them. I also remember, not very far from where I live, the sprawl- ing areas full of greenery which are now built up. I remember us children playing in the streets or fields without our parents' wor- rying about potential dangers. This is not a third world coun- try; it is Malta in the seventies and eighties, a little over fifty years ago. It is important to remember the past because Malta has come a long way. Being geographically in the periphery of Europe, and part of the modern world where globalisation plays an important part in our daily lives, our lives are determined, impacted and conditioned by what is happen- ing around us. Our insular men- tality has changed. We came a long way from the dial-up telephone, the black and white tv, and the first Atari computer. This was all thanks to investment by previous Nation- alist Governments who had the foresight to apply and strive for full membership in the Europe- an Union. The membership didn't hap- pen before 2004 however there was a build-up, modernising the country, improving infrastruc- ture, changing mentality and ex- pectations, investing in human resources, educating citizens, increasing employment oppor- tunities and, most importantly, connecting Malta with the rest of the world. All this didn't come without sacrifice and hard work. This to the benefit of current and future generations. As I mentioned earlier there was an improvement in infra- structure and development. I am not against development and infrastructure per se if it is sus- tainable. This is part of progress. Progress that could have come at a cost. For we are less a com- munity, less tolerant and less pa- tient. We want everything now! However, we are more profes- sional and efficient and the same is expected by one and all. As politicians, we enter the po- litical fray to change things and better our beloved island for fu- ture generations. It is our duty to protect what we have. To change for the better. What is the present situation and what holds for the future? Currently we are seeing build- ings and development mush- rooming everywhere. Jokingly, the crane will overtake il-Merill as the national bird. The con- sequence: more dust in the air, more people suffering from res- piratory issues. Cars everywhere. We are also experiencing a men- tality of impunity. Malta has become a hub that, instead of attracting the best people, is at- tracting people with shady char- acters, all this with the blessing of the Government under the previous Prime Minister. What are we leaving behind for our future generations? Con- crete blocks, hence less green- ery. Cars galore. And a bad rep- utation that I hope won't take long to rehabilitate our country's name, this with sheer hard work. Fast forward 50 years, we wouldn't have been where we are today thanks to the solid foundations laid out by Nation- alist Governments spanning 25 years. As for me I hope that through my political career I will be a catalyst for change. My contribution, be it small or big, will surely be to better life for the generations to come. The past, the present, the future Being geographically in the periphery of Europe, and part of the modern world where globalisation plays an important part in our daily lives, our lives are determined, impacted and conditioned by what is happening around us