• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

A common event for all to bring us together – an essay for SG50

by onlinecitizen
04/08/2015
in Community
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0

My Sg My Future contest skyline WikipediaBy Deng Yushan

I’ve always sat and wondered about issues larger than life, worried about the survival of the human race, and perhaps even brainstormed an idea or two regarding solutions to alleviate poverty in Africa. Eccentric, one may comment. However, I am but an ordinary teenager, a jubilant soul fantasizing about endless possibilities offered to me like a buffet for selection – grab the largest plate and pile it, embody kiasu-ism!

So is Singapore.

Singapore shines on the global stage as a young nation on the ascendant. Like the 16-going-on-17 me, Singapore is unafraid to take on the world with dynamics and energy. Nonetheless, akin to every other sorrowful and paranoid teenager, Singapore has what I would call “identity issues”.

The heated debate about our identity as Singaporeans seems to have erupted way before our independence as a nation. Unlike homogeneous countries such as Japan and India, Singapore has a whole pool of different races. Unlike the more religion-based countries like Iran and Iraq, Singapore is a mixing pot of culture and religion. Unlike countries such as China and Egypt with deep historical roots stretching way back into the dawn of time, Singapore is a mere 50 years old. Technically and logically speaking, none of the groups will mix or get along with one another. With such challenges laid in front of us like the storm Sang Nila Utama faced, it is only natural for us to fear, panic and doubt. How are we going to differentiate ourselves when we are divided within?

I believe the answer lies in the past, the present and the future.

In the past, we’ve witnessed our forefathers brave the rain with a united voice, and this moving incident has made its way as one of PM Lee Hsien Loong’s favorite anecdotes. What is it that united them? What made them stand tall and proud, belting out the national anthem and NDP songs in the ruthless downpour? I think I can safely say that it is the sheer pride they felt when our military marched past them, armed to their teeth with the very weaponry and lives they lay down to serve and protect the nation. It is the common knowledge that they have pulled through the toughest of times with no natural resources aside from their own hands, sweat and diligence.

Recently, we’ve experienced the heaviness of the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The entire nation gathered, paving the road to bid farewell to the beloved man. As if history was reenacted, rain fell. Yet once again, the people of the little red dot stood their ground. Fast forward three months, and we hear the proud song playing at the podium during the SEA Games ceremonies. Albeit off-tune, the sincere harmony from the crowd bore the intense emotions of Singaporeans, and it brought tears to many. Why? It is that unsaid, untold and silent emotion felt by many, bonded through a common event.

The future of Singapore lies in our hands. I foresee brightness, advancements and even greater heights conquered as a nation. I foresee an even stronger nation of intellectuals and technicians, of commoners and millionaires, of children and adults, of men and women, of Malays, Indians, Chinese and other races. I cannot grasp how exactly Singapore will progress, but I know Singapore is on the right track. What Singapore really needs to help people identify themselves as Singaporeans, is a common event where all are involved in. “Common” is hard in a society like ours, but it is achievable.

I would like to blatantly propose the idea of revolutionizing the National Day Parade. Leave a segment entirely to the youths – let them plan, let them innovate, let them shine. Leave another segment to the aged – let them present to society the wisdom and weathered experiences they have to offer. Leave segments for the working, the ill, the disabled and many more groups: hear their voices, their heartbeats, and indulge in their passion. Is it hard? I hope not. What will it bring? I’d like to think it brings endless possibilities.

In the next 10, 50 or even 100 years, I pray that as Singapore blossoms from a bud of the Vanda Miss Joaquim into full bloom, its teenage dream’s will still be alive and will be even more hardy than ever.

This essay was submitted for the “My Singapore, My Future” essay contest organised by The Opinion Collaborative Ltd, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s nationhood.

Comments from the judges –

“Really aspirational, and some nice imagery.”


Our Supporter:

The Monsoons Book Club is a non-profit-making association of concerned individuals interested in books and ideas relevant to the social, political and economic progress in the South East Asian. It aims to create a platform for people from all walks of life, including writers, intellectuals, artists, researchers and politicians to inform, share their thoughts, challenge conventional views; and to disseminate reports and recordings of such events to a wider audience through written and audio visual media. Monsoons Book Club is the trading name of Monsoons Book Club Limited (registered in Cardiff, UK).

Monsoons Book Club logo


About The Opinion Collaborative Ltd

The Opinion Collaborative Ltd (TOC Ltd) is a social enterprise registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority under the Companies Act. TOC Ltd is interested in the development of the online media sphere in Singapore, with the view of promoting an open and diverse media environment that values the constructive collaboration of ideas and views. It aims to do so by supporting websites that seek to enlighten readers and provide diversity of opinion, so as to ignite passion and responsibility in nation-building.

TOC Ltd logo

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.
Tags: featuredSG50

Related Posts

Current Affairs

China cannot be absent: Xi Jinping, in new year message

01/01/2016
Current Affairs

Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss launches Mountbatten Manifesto

31/08/2015
Current Affairs

AHPETC Chairman’s Review

31/08/2015
Current Affairs

Is the “controversial” AHPETC management fee really that controversial?

31/08/2015
Current Affairs

Workers’ Party releases video of candidates

31/08/2015
Commentaries

Is the PAP really listening, or just hearing us?

31/08/2015
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Ministers get away with excuses that ordinary citizens cannot hope to get away with

Ministers get away with excuses that ordinary citizens cannot hope to get away with

07/02/2023
Commemorative coin, exhibitions and various activities to mark 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew’s birth

Commemorative coin, exhibitions and various activities to mark 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew’s birth

07/02/2023
国会内庆妇女节 女议员获赠鲜花

15 companies barred from hiring new foreign employees after serious safety lapse found at worksite

07/02/2023
Why is Gautam Adani’s Indian empire in turmoil?

India’s Adani Enterprises shares rocket 20%, trading suspended

07/02/2023
China’s Baidu says developing AI chatbot

China’s Baidu says developing AI chatbot

07/02/2023
Thai rescuers dig to free baby trapped down well

Thai rescuers dig to free baby trapped down well

07/02/2023
Desmond Lee says 70% of BTO flats affordable for median household with income of S$8,400 but what about the 10th to 40th percentile?

Desmond Lee says 70% of BTO flats affordable for median household with income of S$8,400 but what about the 10th to 40th percentile?

07/02/2023
Returning Officer to issue corrective directions, overseas Singaporeans allowed to vote by post, among changes to laws tabled to Parliament

Returning Officer to issue corrective directions, overseas Singaporeans allowed to vote by post, among changes to laws tabled to Parliament

07/02/2023

Trending posts

Cognizant India transfers staff to work in Singapore as recently as this year

Local IT grads can’t find jobs while engineers constantly transferred from India to work in SG under CECA

by Correspondent
05/02/2023
106

...

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

They have done a fine job of confusing us about the jobs situation

by Augustine Low
01/02/2023
47

...

Adani’s brother runs SG company and registers as director with local ID

Adani’s brother runs SG company and registers as director with local ID

by Correspondent
03/02/2023
26

...

No response from Josephine Teo on whether Mediacorp has been instructed to stop coverage of SMT circulation scandal

No response from Josephine Teo over alleged blackout of coverage by Mediacorp over SMT circulation scandal

by Terry Xu
06/02/2023
12

...

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

Former Singaporean shares change of life in Australia with annual pay of S$80,000 as a plumber

by Yee Loon
30/01/2023
25

...

Japanese-Canadian junior high school girl breaks national record with 3km in 9:02 mins

“I want my normal life back,” Sherry Drury withdraws from National Junior High School Tournament due to overheated public attention

by Yee Loon
06/02/2023
3

...

August 2015
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Jul   Oct »

The Online Citizen is a regional online publication based in Taiwan and formerly Singapore’s longest-running independent online media platform.

Navigation

  • Editorial
  • Commentaries
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Community

Support

  • Contact Us
  • Letter submission
  • Membership subscription

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Fact Checking Policy
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2022 - 2023 The Online Citizen Asia

wpDiscuz