<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Stand up for Singapore and don't be stingy with applause
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE cavalier attitude of some fellow citizens appalled me when I walked past a National Day celebration feast at Kovan Hub last Saturday night.
I was walking to a makeshift bus stop when the National Anthem was played over the loudspeakers.
I stood to attention immediately. That was when I noticed some people walking and doing their own thing with no regard for the standing Members of Parliament and diners.
=> Did this running dog check the colour of their IC?
Much energy and talk have been expended on whether citizens know the exact words of Majulah Singapura and can say the Pledge correctly.
But if we cannot extend a basic courtesy by standing still when the National Anthem is played, then we are miles from a nation that is strong and free.
Strong because we can stand united and rally around the Flag and Anthem, symbols of the nation's hard-won independence. Free because we can set aside our differences, disencumber ourselves and prize freedom above all else.
When I was in Chiangmai a few years ago (and did not know the Thai national anthem), a stallholder in a market politely asked me to stand when the anthem was played. Since then, I note that the Thais, young and old and from all walks of life, will stop whatever they are doing and pay respects when the anthem is played.
It takes little effort to stand up for Singapore. It is something we must learn to do naturally and imbue in our children when young.
Incidentally, I missed my bus and saw two performances put on by a secondary school to entertain the gathering of diners, whose attitude baffled me. Why were they so parsimonious with their applause and unappreciative of the efforts by the students?
I went home disappointed. If we do not stand up for our young today, how will the future generation stand up for Singapore?
=> Indeed, the 66% better wake up their idea soon or there'll be no future for themselves and their next generation!
David Lam
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE cavalier attitude of some fellow citizens appalled me when I walked past a National Day celebration feast at Kovan Hub last Saturday night.
I was walking to a makeshift bus stop when the National Anthem was played over the loudspeakers.
I stood to attention immediately. That was when I noticed some people walking and doing their own thing with no regard for the standing Members of Parliament and diners.
=> Did this running dog check the colour of their IC?
Much energy and talk have been expended on whether citizens know the exact words of Majulah Singapura and can say the Pledge correctly.
But if we cannot extend a basic courtesy by standing still when the National Anthem is played, then we are miles from a nation that is strong and free.
Strong because we can stand united and rally around the Flag and Anthem, symbols of the nation's hard-won independence. Free because we can set aside our differences, disencumber ourselves and prize freedom above all else.
When I was in Chiangmai a few years ago (and did not know the Thai national anthem), a stallholder in a market politely asked me to stand when the anthem was played. Since then, I note that the Thais, young and old and from all walks of life, will stop whatever they are doing and pay respects when the anthem is played.
It takes little effort to stand up for Singapore. It is something we must learn to do naturally and imbue in our children when young.
Incidentally, I missed my bus and saw two performances put on by a secondary school to entertain the gathering of diners, whose attitude baffled me. Why were they so parsimonious with their applause and unappreciative of the efforts by the students?
I went home disappointed. If we do not stand up for our young today, how will the future generation stand up for Singapore?
=> Indeed, the 66% better wake up their idea soon or there'll be no future for themselves and their next generation!
David Lam
