MANY see the renaming of Changi Airport after founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as a memorial, but there is a more practical reason to it.
His name will continue to enhance Singapore's image as a progressive, pleasant, First World country that the name "Changi" cannot.
Consider this: Foreign visitors on board incoming flights - from chief executives to ordinary tourists - will hear of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's name and learn that he led the founding fathers of modern, independent Singapore.
Once they disembark, they see and feel his work: the airport's six-star luxury hotel ambience, the efficiency and courtesy of airport staff and the orderly ease with which they can get to the city by subway, bus, taxi or limousine.
Transit passengers experience swift efficiency, walk on lush carpeting and are spoilt for choice in shopping and dining.
Travelling along the East Coast Parkway, they see clean and green all round. Instead of dull concrete, they enjoy motoring past beautiful bougainvilleas disguised as road dividers.
They connect all these to a name and a face - LKY. Mr Lee's name would have added value to Singapore's image.
So, renaming Changi Airport as the Lee Kuan Yew Singapore International Airport or LKY International would enhance Singapore's singularity in an increasingly crowded world of cities.
In life, Mr Lee connected the dots for foreigners about the global relevance of our Little Red Dot and served as a personal bridge. LKY International will continue his irreplaceable role.
What better way to remember what our founding PM lived and breathed for - an exceptionally efficient, peaceful and harmonious little country the world loves to visit again and again?
Ravi Govindan
