I received an sms a couple of days ago from Singtel.
“Stand Up For Singapore and join in at 8:22pm 9 August 2009 for the pledge.”
I’ve been in Singapore now since 1987 — that’s 22 years. That’s a long time. Singapore is 44 today, which means I’ve been around for half the time that Singapore has been independent.
It’s a fine place to live, no pun intended. It’s pretty much home to me now. And it’s definitely come a long way.
For a nation this size, for everything that it’s not, it’s got a lot to be proud of. And against all odds, for all that it doesn’t have, there are many achievements to be counted.
Granted, there’s always a lot more that we can want, but if we ever step back to see the forest despite the trees, the big picture is an impressive one.
Singapore has done a grand thing. It has created a stable and safe environment to live. There is an abundance of opportunities for business. And the future is not left to chance.
For all the complaints that we have, we forget that for a nation this size, there is a lot to be grateful for.
We were having dinner, watching the parade on TV. At 8:22pm, my Singaporean friends stood up, with the rest of the nation and recited the pledge, unreservedly.
“We the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves, as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness,
prosperity and progress for our nation.”
The little train that could. Believe it.
A darn fine country, this.
What you haven wrote down were very beautryful. You are one of the kind, very gental, very warm, very simple and sencitive guy. What you have done to other were very helpful to others, and the world will be more greatful because of you!
Posted by Tina on June 22nd, 2010.