Heritage preservation:To keep or not to keep

One monument or place I would definitely want to preserve is the war heritage sites. These places allows the future generation of Singapore to understand how far we have come from these sufferings and how we have changed from there. Although some of these sites have graphic and violent exhibitions which are unsuitable to young children, I believe that as we grow up, we would be able to understand why the past generations were willing to die for this small plot of land and we would continue to share this love for Singapore. As for the older generations, this serves as a reminder that we are to train the future leaders of Singapore to lead in the way our great founding fathers like Mr Lee Kuan Yew has done so that Singapore can continue to survive as an independent nation. These places might hold painful memories and might not exactly be the most ideal place to be Singapore's tourist icons, but these hardships that our forefathers have gone through will allow us to remember what we have gone through as a country and to remind us to always be on our guard, as we are still that tiny red dot that is independent and we have to rely on ourselves to learn from past mistakes, and improve together as a nation.

Heritage preservation: To keep or not to keep

The monument that I have chosen to preserve is the Merlion. Many Singaporeans will think of the Merlion as an icon of Singapore, and so do I. I feel that this is a special monument as it links back to the history of Singapore, and how Singapore was founded. There are just too many stories behind it to tell. If the government has made a decision not to preserve the Merlion, I would strongly disagree with their decision. It would leave most Singaporeans baffled at their decision, as I feel that it truly represents Singapore. Another thing is that after it is destroyed, future generations will be unable to understand what a "Merlion" means to them. Sure, there will still be the Internet and Google, but nothing beats the experience of personally visiting the Merlion in real life.

Reflection on Chingay Parade

This year, the Y2 cohort went to the Chingay Parade 2016, themed "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". From a CCE period previously, it was mentioned that Chingay was originally to celebrate Chinese New Year, since fire crackers were banned from Singapore. As time passes, I think that this not only celebrates the festive occasion, it also brings people of different cultures together since many other people like the Malays and Eurasians joined in the parade. This encourages racial harmony among Singaporeans and to remember the values of our country, which mainly are: Racial Harmony and Social Cohesion, Caring Community, Resilience as a Nation and a Can-Do Singapore Spirit. 

As mentioned, people of other cultures and races joined in the celebration, bringing the motive of the parade to a different level. Now, not only it was a method to celebrate Chinese New Year, it is like a fashion show to showcase the wide variety of backgrounds, cultures and races that make up Singapore. For example, I saw performances from Japan and for Chinese New Year, there were many different types of decorated dragons,which illuminated the dark night, and lion dances. The colours and floats were creative and unique, much to our delight and excitement. I found that the performances were almost like a second RV60, with lion dances, drums and the dances were very unique as well. I really enjoyed watching the acrobats which were suspended in mid air. I thought it was very cool that they were able to do flips and other moves in mid air. 

I felt that the organisers had done a good job bringing people of different aspects and of different race and ages together for one segment, displaying some of the core values that our country is trying to promote. Some of these participants are even younger than us or could be already in the pioneer generation, but they still had the Can-Do Singapore spirit. I heard from my 1J junior who participated in the performances that she was very satisfied with her performance because there was much teamwork, and that she was able to meet more people of different races and ages from her community.

Poster on encouraging child birth

Reflection on Chingay 2016

     I have watched this year's Chingay performance,it is held at the F1 building pit.

     Unlike other years,sitting infront of the television,I get to witness the Chingay performance personally.Its was really splendid.Last time,whenever I hear people saying how large scale and wonderful was the Chingay performance,I question myself:isn't it just 'boats' around the streets?What is so fascinating about them?However,after I witness the whole scene of Chingay 2016,my views change because from the television,we can only view parts of the performance,but by standing at the F1 pit myself here,it was really a fascinating scene!How many people are needed to hold such a large scale activity,it's magnificent!By sitting behind the television to watch,I can't really get the atmosphere there,but by going there and watching it,the atmosphere really gets high!

     Chingay 2016's theme is 'lights of legacy,brighter Singapore'.As I watch the performance,I realized it is trying to promote racial harmony,like what our founding fathers wished and work hard towards. There were performers from different race,culture,and even performers from other country!Singapore is a country where people came from different country,race and culture,hence,racial harmony is very important for a small country like us.

     The performers from different cultures and background have to work together and go through thick as and thins together to make this Chingay performance a success.However,by knowing this,it suddenly came to me that actually,Chingay is like Singapore,we are the performers,we have to work hard and stick through thick and thins together,to make this little red dot a shining red dot,so bright that no one can ever miss it when looking at the map.The lights of legacy is like what our founding father,Mr Lee Kuan Yew,left for us.It is his legacy,his thoughts and will that will be left for us to carry on,making a brighter Singapore for the future.

     Hence,I think that Chingay 2016 was a success!

     

reflections on Chingay Parade - Zhen Hao

I feel that the chingay parade was spectacular and awesome. As i sat on the seats at the F1 Pit Building, i was left awestruck by the number of people performing for the parade and the amount of effort they put in even if its just a NE show. The Chingay parade was started on 4th February 1973 as Singapore banned firecrackers a year ago due to safety concerns.however, the ban was not well received by the public as they felt that this ban will dampen the festival mood for Chinese New Year celebrations. Thus, the People's Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Association jointly organised a street parade from Jalan Besar to Outram Park featuring floats, acrobatic acts, lion and dragon dances, silt walkers to bring back some cheer to the public. Fast forward by 44 years, in Chingay 2016, the theme is " Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". It is to celebrate the legacy and the wisdom of our founding father Lee Kuan Yew and other founding fathers based on the core values advocated to them, for example: resilience, racial harmony and social cohesion. We, as Singaporeans, should live by this values and move forward together towards a brighter and better Singapore.

During the first chingay, there were only Chinese performers as this performance was only meant for the Chinese to celebrate Chinese new year. During the Chingay parade in 1976, there were Indian and Malay performers also performing for the Chingay parade and from then then on, the Chingay parade has always been a multi-racial parade featuring performers from all races. In the 1987 Chingay parade, the first foreign group performed at the chingay parade. Since then, foreign groups has always been invited to perform at the Chingay parade

I think that the organisers of the chingay parade have fulfilled the purpose of Chingay parade as it is now a multi-racial parade with people from different countries all over the world and is celebrated by all different kinds of people of all different races. If Lee Kuan Yew was still alive when he sees this, he would feel very proud of Singaporeans.

some pictures that I took during the parade

3-2-1. ~Jingwen

View on 2-child policy:

I stand in a neutral position because I think there is pros and cons to it.

At that point of time,many family gave birth to 7or 8 kids,this led to a quick increase of population in such a small country,which we can handle because of the housing issues.Hence at that time,birth control is needed.

However,the birth control now had led to back fire which caused some family to only give birth to one kid.Singapore's average birth rate is 1.2,it is not enough to replace both parent and also,the only child will have more stress due to being the only one to support the whole family,which may consist of 3-4 generation up to 12 people for the child to support.

Hence,I think that the 2-child policy can be used but to a certain extend.

3 things I found out:

-some policies may backfire

-with only a child In the family,stress will be huge.

-policies will have pros and cons,there will definitely not be a definite good policy that will guarantee a success,because it is just whether you can predict it or not or will the side effect show when time comes.

2 perception I gained

-nothing is a definite 

-everything has its pros and cons

1 question I have:

Why did PM Lee allowed this policy if it will have a after effect?