Samaira Ran, who turned two today, was one of the 26 people who attended a citizenship ceremony at Sydney’s Town Hall.
Her mum Prerana Pant also became a citizen today. She moved to Australia from Nepal, and is hoping to open her own restaurant. "I'm very happy to become Australian because I like Australia, it’s a very free country here, there's liberty in this country and the people are good here,” she said.
Samari Ran, with her mum Prerana Pant and Dad, Surensra Ran (Source: SBS World News)
For Farzana Soma, from Bangladesh, becoming a citizen today gave her hope for a better future for her young daughter, Juwayriyah.
"Here, whatever she wants to do and whatever she wants, she can do. It's no pressure - nothing. She can have a better life," she said, adding that she dreamt of this day for seven years.
Australia’s Education system was the draw card for Jason and Mary, who came from the Phillipines to study.
"[Today's citizenship ceremony] is a new change to my life. A new beginning, a new start," Jason said.
The ceremony was also attended by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich, Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, and Federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek.
Farzana Soma and Juwayriyah Sarker (SBS World News)
