Can we find unity in diversity? Can we find a common custom, history, origins and language among our many differences? If we do then we are a nation – we are heading to nationhood.

The recession may not be over yet. But, every country has to have some hope and see the rainbow at the end of the rainy season. Coming August the 9th is the 44 th birthday of my country, Singapore. I was born in the year 1961 at No 47 Cheng Cheok street – which is a part of a long row of shop houses. We call them ‘shop houses’ or ‘pre war’ houses. It was usually being used as a shop on the first storey and dwelling on the upper storeys.

Back then, we lived in groups as Chinese occupied a certain number of houses next to each other and the Malays, and Indians resided on the opposite houses. Now, we live in modern living space with other ethnic group side by side. This kind of living was meticulously carried out by the Housing Development Board regulation of ethnic ratio mix in each storey of living strata space.

I was thinking about how we can better show our togetherness both outwardly and inwardly. It has to start from the personal level. How do you think of yourself in relation with your neighbour, friends, relatives and other Singaporeans, and to the entire country? How do you see or perceive yourself against the bigger picture? Is Singapore, still a work-in -progress when it comes to nationhood as diagnosed by our honourable Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew? If it is so what can we as individual do to reach this ideal scenario? How can we actualise a nationhood?

National Day

Celebrate your national day as how you celebrate your own birthday. National Day is the birth day of your country. In Singapore, a national day comes with a holiday (naturally) and a National Day Parade. National Day Parade is not exactly a parade but a celebration of skids and fireworks. It is definitely a crowd puller and televised live across the country.

Take this opportunity to invite your neigbours, friends and relatives for a party to celebrate the birth of Singapore. Make a cake and shre with everyone. You can share their feelings towards the nation. Hang and fly the national flag and salute it with the best salutation.

Anthem savvy

Life is all about adjustments. If you want to create that attachment to your country you need to read the national anthem daily as how I did it during my school days.

We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a a democratic society, based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation

Live and let live. Try out your very best to gain happiness and prosperity through hardwork. I think I will write out the national anthem and hang it at the front foyer of my house. By reading out the natiional anthem in your heart or aloud will make you feel that you are part of the nation.

Thankfulness

Being thankful is one way you can achieve nationhood. Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country. Think about all the positivity that you have benefited while living in Singapore- being employed, roofed and well off. No one is left out in Singapore. Thank you Singapore!

Being flexible and the ability to change on a personal level will make every one of us a small part of the mechanism of Singapore success. Celebrate national day, say the anthem, be thankful, idolise your country, seek oneness and be a neutralist to achieve and actualise nationhood

Idolise

We are bound by thoughts of the old. But we forget the short history of Singapore and those involved to develop Singapore of what it is now. I feel a strong sense of great attachement to my country Singapore as I age.

This is where I was born. This is where I live. This is where I eke out a living. This is where I spent the 48 years of my life. This is where I formed my family, found friends and mingled with my relatives. Singapore is my idol. I love Singapore. I worship Singapore for the rest of my life. Why don’t we glorify the name of singapore to the rest of the world!

Oneness

There is an advantage in multi racial, multi religious socitey like Singapore. Seek out the common platform in diversity. See the oneness in these differences. The only legitimate purpose of living is to be happy. No one can deny this. Happiness purpose is the oneness I see in Singapore.

This is where I was born. This is where I live. This is where I eke out a living. This is where I spent the 48 years of my life. This is where I formed my family, found friends and mingled with my relatives. Singapore is my idol. I love Singapore. I worship Singapore for the rest of my life. Why don’t we glorify the name of singapore to the rest of the world!

The governement had carried out a brilliant job by bringing this small islan from a third world country to the first world status within a couple of decades. The perks of the gross domestic product growth had been beneficial to all Singaporeans. Be a part of the Singapore vision and grow together as one.

Neutralist

I prefer the word neutralist than a nationalist. A nationalist is a person who loves his country. A neutralist is a person who not only loves his country but loves peace and prosperity. He enjoins in the bigger agenda of happiness, prosperity and progress for his nation.

Being flexible and the ability to change on a personal level will make every one of us a small part of the mechanism of Singapore success. Celebrate national day, say the anthem, be thankful, idolise your country, seek oneness and be a neutralist to achieve and actualise nationhood.