I DISAGREE with the call to scale back or tone down our SG50 celebrations on account of the death of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew ("Rethink SG50 celebrations" by Mr Tang Fook Meng; last Thursday).
Given the outpouring of grief and gratitude from Singaporeans and foreigners alike, there is even more reason to celebrate SG50 and the life and legacy of our founder and father of modern Singapore, with vigour and purpose.
Events of the past week spoke volumes of Mr Lee as modern Singapore's architect and guardian.
We should, therefore, take every opportunity to share his teachings, values and principles; and strengthen the systems that he and his colleagues have built for Singapore.
His legacy must live on and be instilled in future generations of Singaporeans.
What better way is there than to take advantage of the SG50 celebrations to kick-start various national education platforms?
This is a great opportunity to not just honour our pioneer generation leaders but also to educate our young on the selfless fighting spirit, the never-say-die attitude and can-do spirit, to overcome all odds in the pursuit of happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation, regardless of race, language and religion.
It is also a golden opportunity to promote to the region and the West our values and principles of self-sufficiency and reliance, racial and religious harmony, meritocracy and incorruptibility.
Yeow Hwee Ming
Given the outpouring of grief and gratitude from Singaporeans and foreigners alike, there is even more reason to celebrate SG50 and the life and legacy of our founder and father of modern Singapore, with vigour and purpose.
Events of the past week spoke volumes of Mr Lee as modern Singapore's architect and guardian.
We should, therefore, take every opportunity to share his teachings, values and principles; and strengthen the systems that he and his colleagues have built for Singapore.
His legacy must live on and be instilled in future generations of Singaporeans.
What better way is there than to take advantage of the SG50 celebrations to kick-start various national education platforms?
This is a great opportunity to not just honour our pioneer generation leaders but also to educate our young on the selfless fighting spirit, the never-say-die attitude and can-do spirit, to overcome all odds in the pursuit of happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation, regardless of race, language and religion.
It is also a golden opportunity to promote to the region and the West our values and principles of self-sufficiency and reliance, racial and religious harmony, meritocracy and incorruptibility.
Yeow Hwee Ming
