- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
- 0
May 24, 2010
A moving tale and what sets Singaporeans apart
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I KNEW words had the power to move, but that they could be so impactful, I realised only on reading Saturday's special report, 'Shattered dreams'.
Photojournalist Neo Xiaobin gave a heart-rending account of the travails of the family of the late karaoke lounge hostess Li Hong Yan, whose body was found floating in a Sentosa bungalow pool on March 24. As I read about their painful journey back home to rural China with the body of their beloved and beautiful daughter, I could feel like I was there. It was as though the whole story was unfolding right in front of my eyes.
I could feel the pain and stress, and the desperation as the family came to grips with the fact that not only had they lost their daughter in a foreign land, but they also had to cremate her and carry her ashes home. Is there any worse fate for a parent than that? Tears flowed freely as I read the entire story.
I was also moved by the humanity and compassion shown by Singaporeans who came together to help complete strangers. Undertaker Roland Tay has gained new-found respect from me. One thing becomes crystal clear - humanity can triumph over race, religion and culture.
Singaporeans have once again shown what sets us apart is not just that we have a clean, green, beautiful and corruption- free country - but that we still have a heart.
Amit Nagpal
A moving tale and what sets Singaporeans apart
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I KNEW words had the power to move, but that they could be so impactful, I realised only on reading Saturday's special report, 'Shattered dreams'.
Photojournalist Neo Xiaobin gave a heart-rending account of the travails of the family of the late karaoke lounge hostess Li Hong Yan, whose body was found floating in a Sentosa bungalow pool on March 24. As I read about their painful journey back home to rural China with the body of their beloved and beautiful daughter, I could feel like I was there. It was as though the whole story was unfolding right in front of my eyes.
I could feel the pain and stress, and the desperation as the family came to grips with the fact that not only had they lost their daughter in a foreign land, but they also had to cremate her and carry her ashes home. Is there any worse fate for a parent than that? Tears flowed freely as I read the entire story.
I was also moved by the humanity and compassion shown by Singaporeans who came together to help complete strangers. Undertaker Roland Tay has gained new-found respect from me. One thing becomes crystal clear - humanity can triumph over race, religion and culture.
Singaporeans have once again shown what sets us apart is not just that we have a clean, green, beautiful and corruption- free country - but that we still have a heart.
Amit Nagpal
