One People, One Nation, One Singapore.. are we there yet ?

Hi,

One People, One Nation, One Singapore.

Nice and motivating phrase. Whoever coined this phrase must have really thought through it. If only many of the people show this phrase in action, this nation will definitely be a developed nation with people of social graces and national pride where the hardware and the heartware work hand in hand to create an examplery country that is a role model to the world, especially those countries with enthnic, racial, social and political problems and conflicts.

Of course the government of Singapore has the important policies, laws, programmes and foundations in place to eradicate any social and ethnic problems that may lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. The setting up of the People's Accosiation (PA) and then the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (IRCC) are brilliant ideas that are still working well reaching out to the grassroots as much as possible. The response is encouraging and sometimes even excellent especially among the younger generation where the "one people" gelling is very obvious. Kudos for that.

As we are progressing in this well although there still exists some bad apples among the mid and older generation people (especially the majority race) that creates unnecessary blocks within themselves about the minority races resulting in discriminations and unhappinesses even within grassroots organisations (I have experienced them personally), the one nation phrase is still lagging behind to a great extend.

I have noticed and witnessed the nationhood and national pride among many other other countries and it only makes me jealous of them. In India for example, I have seen many people, even the celebrities ending their speech in "Jai Hind" (victory for India) and when they say that, you can sense their national pride coming from the bottom of their hearts, and when someone says something bad about their country, they go to the extend of even bashing that person up, and when the national anthem plays anytime anywhere, they stand up with pride and salute their nation. In Bangkok (Thailand) when I was there this year in Feb (2009), such an incident happened. At about 6.20pm (Thailand time) at the busy streets (opposite the Arnoma Hotel), out of nowhere, the national anthem sounded and the whole street stood up still giving respect to the national anthem. My wife and I also stood still. At the end of the song when my wife and I continued our walk, some of the Thais thanked us for respecting their national anthem.

Will that happen in Singapore ? I wonder. Just try playing the song in Orchard road or Shenton Way, or even in a busy neighbourhood during a peak hour and how many will stand still giving respect to the national song ? There maybe a handful, but the rest will just carry on their usual activities ignoring the national anthem. During a couple of grassroots events (both were national day-related events), at the end of my announcements, I uttered "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore) and what I got ? Many stares making me feel weird. I hoped for a repetition of the phrase, but nobody bothered, even the MP. In fact how many MPs actually utter that phrase publicily in the events ? Even those serving the their nation as soldiers (NSFs and reservists) may not stand up for their national anthem in the public (unless it is in their army camp).

Why is this ?

I wonder again.... money, material wealth and many other personal reasons (grudges with the government policies, MPs, laws, etc) that maybe the causes I think. Nowadays, many notices made to be put up to encourage the people to display the national flags outside their homes. The number of displays are still pathetic if one goes around to observe. If there are any blocks of flats that have complete display of flags, this will only mean that their RC (Resident Committees) have decorated those blocks of flats for the best decorated flat or estate competition.

I like to display the flag, but I myself do not. Why ? The main reason being that they are selling the flags for money which I am not in favour of. The national flag is priceless and so how can a price be put for a flag and sold (even in NTUC, CCs and RCs) ? I find it as a lack of respect for the national flag. So, I refuse to display the flag. That does not mean I have no national pride. I am proud to be a Singaporean, my motherland. There maybe some personal grudges, but still I am proud of the government, many of its policies and some of the leaders, especially the founders.

I hope this evolves through better government policy implementations and reaching out to the grassroots and the leaders themselves feeling proud to utter "Majulah Singapura" (not only on national day but all days). The leaders and even the government officials and teachers showing their national pride in action and be examplery citizens for the rest to look upon and follow. This strengthening should overflow to the new citizens up to the point that they must start to learn and utter the national anthem and pledge and start to blend in with the Singapore's nationhood culture. Like they they "if you are in rome, do as what the romans do".. so if you are in Singapore, do as what the Singaporean do. Show your national pride in action even if you win a medal for the country (especially the foreign talents with citenzenships).

I am waiting for that day. A day when the "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" becomes a reality in Singapore not only in words but in action.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN