This little dot on the world map is famous for its multi-cultural existence.In this tiny island you will find - Little India, China town, Arab street! Singapore also (un)popular for its strict laws and rules. The strange laws are enforced in this city and know what? The citizens are tamed and very much law abiding.
You will be fined an obscene amount for littering, breaking traffic rules. For every rule broken there is a fine!You will be fined if you are found with a pack of chewing gum, coz chewing gum is banned! Everywhere you will see signs like this:
"Low crime doesnot mean no crime" , this slogan is seen mostly in the train stations. I call it the 'national motto' :) True to its words. Every morning when you wake up and sleepily grope for your newspaper there wont be any eye catching, sensational news. I havent witnessed even a small accident on the road, living here in the past 2 years! But then, if a person is found guilty for a crime ,big or small the consequences are heart wrenching. Caning is a common punishment in prison. But in case of bigger crimes the convict will face either a death sentence or will be hanged to death. And there are not too many such cases in the history of Singapore. Singapore is counted among the top safest places on earth!
The water we drink here is recycled. Drinking water from sea-water , also sewage (as heard from a Singaporean!) Recycled! Yet very hygienic and safe. I can vouch for that! 2 years and I have never felt healthier! Talking about the health freaks in Singapore! Mornings or Evenings you will see joggers of all age group from 15- 60's. Every Singaporean believes in taking part in the frequent marathon runs .Any sport be it badminton, Tennis, Table tennis ,all Sports and Community centres will be booked 2 weeks in advance! An average Singaporean would save to go for vacation atleast once a year. They love to travel and see the world. Most of them also cultivate various hobbies .Other countries should learn a thing or 2 from Singapore.
One can never get lost in Singapore . Reason being the signs are everywhere indicating where you are and where your destination is . All you need to know is to read the signs ! The public transport here is just so well maintained and impressive. Another amusing thing, if you are new in Singapore you will notice that theres no tipping in restaurants :)
And now its time for the down side. The condition of the elderly and the disabled. Its heartbreaking to see the aged selling tissues, especially in the food courts. My heart goes out to those aged almost homeless people. An average Singaporean can be very selfish and greedy. Very much unlike the Indian close knit families this would be a culture shock for a first timer in Singapore.The parents take care of the kids till they start earning on their own. The elderly sometimes do not wish to be taken care of by their children or vice versa( as explained by a cabbie uncle ). One remarkable thing is you will harldy find any beggars.Maybe a few singers (blind/handicapped) but atleast they sing and earn! And thats not begging!
The government can sometimes be very stern with their laws too. I say this by my experience . This was way back when I first arrived at this small island. New place, new life as a wife and no job , no friends. 2 months of staying at home watching the chatter box endlessly I decided to do something with my life. Those were the testing times for me. Troubled that I was . So I made up my mind to volunteer at a school a few minutes away from my house. The school is meant for autistic kids aged from 3-7! Ah! the little angels . I didnt even last a day as a volunteer ! Why? Just the sight of those disabled needy kids whose future you know is a hard rocky mountainous terrain is very disturbing. The principal incharge told me about the pitiful conditions of the kids. The 'authorities' fund for their studies or welfare only till the age of 21. So my next question was evidently , What after that? The answer is very distressing. The autistic kids are on their own. The reason- the 'authorities' believe in investing on the brighter kids who can add to the economy and prosperity of the country. Thats downright cruel and heartless! So that was the first and last day at the school. I never could work up the courage to walk that way again. Cowarldy as it may seem..Survival of the fittest.. Sounds nice only in books.
Nonetheless, theres no perfect place on earth . But to me Singapore definitely comes close to perfect . More on the next one..
Yes yes you are journalist confirmed with this article :)
ReplyDeleteI think trafic rules needed very very much in Bangalore..... Need transfer all rules here.
Waiting more to here...realy intresting and congratulations for such an great effort
Interesting facts and well written.
ReplyDeleteSome rules sound insane though. Eg: Why aren't you allowed to chew gum? As long as you are responsible enough to dispose it in a proper way, I don't think there should be a problem. Maybe these crazy rules make Singapore such an organized and successful country.
It is indeed very sad that the autistic children have to fend for themselves once they are 21. What are they doing in India though? Is there any help given to any of the citizens with "special needs"?
Lets cut down to brass tacks dear! Throughout the discourse that you gave, you oohed and aahed about Singapore, But at the end of it you are feeling bad that SIngapore Governement doesnt look after autisitic children after 21? and you say thats heartless? and you say thats bad? .... In my opinion you are being lopsided in your jusdgement. If the Government has made certain rules like these( and many other) , these rules are the reason they are not wasting money on a dead end, they are investing on progress, and thats the reason why Singapore is the dream destination. You cant think from the heart always.... THis world is all about survival of the fittest. Either you are in the game or you are out of it. I know it sounds harsh, But thats the way things are.
ReplyDeleteohh! And by the way.... very well written article.. Hats Off!
ReplyDeleteNice writing as always. I remember ppl attributing the reason for banning chewing gum to an incident at MRT sometimes back when a chewing gum was stuck at the doors due to which doors couldn't close and figuring it out took many hours!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, as you said looking at those elderly people who are sometimes 70 or even 80s sell stuffs is worse than looking at the kids begging on the streets of Indian cities. And you know what? Those who're earning by singing on the streets are certified beggars! Look at their ID closely and you'll know.
But yes, again theres no perfect place. But your articles are thought provoking. Good job!
Thanks Srikanth! that piece of information about the chewing gum was very enlightening! I dint know the reason behind the ban. Thanks to you am 1 fact wiser :)
ReplyDeleteThank u all for your views..