<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>National pride and human nature
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Mr Sam Ahmed's letter last Saturday, 'Be prouder of this great little dot'.
I do not deny that some are over-critical of Singapore, but it may not be a result of a lack of pride, passion or love for this country. People may have various reasons which lead them to voice negative sentiments but perhaps it is better to take such views with a pinch of salt, and realise it is human nature to focus on negatives rather than positives.
Mr Ahmed mentions that 'university graduates I come across talk of saving up and moving to Spain or Italy'. While this may be the case, it could be nothing more than a matter of one wishing to broaden one's horizons. It is only natural to expect such attitudes from the younger generation, who are increasingly enlightened compared to generations past. Mr Ahmed himself has, by his own account, lived in three different cities.
While people may agree that Singapore is indeed great, their reasons may be very different, subject to personal beliefs and preferences. Such an assessment is not only rational but also emotional, and in this regard we are in no position to judge for others.
After all, Singapore is not an institution, but rather the collective dreams and aspirations of those who call it home.
Azri Zainuddin
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Mr Sam Ahmed's letter last Saturday, 'Be prouder of this great little dot'.
I do not deny that some are over-critical of Singapore, but it may not be a result of a lack of pride, passion or love for this country. People may have various reasons which lead them to voice negative sentiments but perhaps it is better to take such views with a pinch of salt, and realise it is human nature to focus on negatives rather than positives.
Mr Ahmed mentions that 'university graduates I come across talk of saving up and moving to Spain or Italy'. While this may be the case, it could be nothing more than a matter of one wishing to broaden one's horizons. It is only natural to expect such attitudes from the younger generation, who are increasingly enlightened compared to generations past. Mr Ahmed himself has, by his own account, lived in three different cities.
While people may agree that Singapore is indeed great, their reasons may be very different, subject to personal beliefs and preferences. Such an assessment is not only rational but also emotional, and in this regard we are in no position to judge for others.
After all, Singapore is not an institution, but rather the collective dreams and aspirations of those who call it home.
Azri Zainuddin
