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..
Its basically nothing but a veggie wrap, or a spring roll. Its nothing but 'Rumali roti' stuffed with veggies and they call it Chinese Popiah! Have you have watched those experts flying the dough in the air to make thin round Rumali rotis? Thats exactly how they make the Popiah skin .Then the below ingredients are added and rolled carefully.
