42 and counting!

RICE with sambal.
Bread with strawberry jam.
What do they have in common?
Well, they are part of the ways people try to celebrate National Day – with food.
Why? Because they are red and white.
It may sound tacky, but they are really some of the more practical ideas people have when it comes to marking this occasion.
We are a practical nation after all, aren’t we?
I know of these “themed” food ideas because my brother’s school is having a “food ministry” session to celebrate National Day, where parents will cook for their boys. And some of the red-and-white food items find themselves in the menu.
This year, those who attend the National Day Parade will also get battery-operated handheld fans that, when switched on, have rotating red LED lights that appear on the fan blades.
I won’t spoil it for those who like to be surprised by what they find in their goodie bags, but suffice to say, it may make you smile.
So our goodie bag gets better and ever more bountiful; the laser shows get more intricate; and the stage gets more impressive.
The crowds get even bigger as the places to catch the parade for free are spread over the Marina Bay area.
For such a small country, it is amazing how many different ways we can think of to celebrate the birth of our nation.
But Singaporeans can be divided into two main camps when it comes to thinking of what to do on the national day off.
Those who make a huge effort to try to get tickets for the parade, and those who just want to get tickets to get out of the country for a short holiday (this year, by taking leave on Friday to make it a four-day long weekend, perhaps).
Then, among the smaller groups, there are those who see it as a time to make money.
“Entrepreneurial” auctioneers on eBay and Yahoo try to sell off NDP tickets.
It makes you wonder if it is really a celebration of money and ways to spend money.
Personally, I want to see National Day as a time to reflect on how far we have come, and what needs to be done now.
To the younger generation, such as myself, August 9 is merely the day Singapore became independent.
I say “merely” because I wonder how many of my counterparts know the depth of meaning behind the term “independence”.
Singaporeans today play a very small role in terms of “fighting” for the nation.
And this, I see as one main reason for the apathy that some Singaporeans have for their country.
So much has been done for us, that we expect things to continue happening smoothly according to some grand plan.
They say that students from less developed nations work harder because they are hungry to prove themselves, and also because that is the way up and out for them.
Singaporeans dream less of working but more of retirement; they work to retire, not to do something for their country.
With no new dreams for a nation that we can work at together, we are content to celebrating it as if it is another day at the mall, eating, going out with family and friends.
Nothing wrong with that, of course, but how is that different from any other weekend?
So maybe, we can spend some quiet moments like in a prayer, and think about what our country has given us and what we can give back in return.
Singapore has long been known as a parent state, but I think it is time for the parent to let the children do something in return. The parent is, after all, reaching middle-age at 42, so it may be a good time as any to take a step back and let the next generation get their hands dirty and learn how to run things.
Start small by all means, we can’t have a big change overnight where, for example, those who are disgruntled suddenly cast aside their plans to emigrate to greener pastures.
But think hard this year about what you mean to the country.
And if you think Singapore can do without you, then ask yourself why.

My promise...

tere liye palkon ki jhaalar bunoo,
kaliyon saa gajre mein bandhe phiroon,
dhoop lage jahaan tujhe chhaayaa banoo, aajaa saajna

tere liye palkon ki jhaalar bunoo,
kaliyon saa gajre mein bandhe phiroon,
dhoop lage jahaan tujhe chhaayaa banoo, aajaa saajna

tere liye...

mehki mehki yeh raat hai,
behki behki har baat hai,
lajon maroon, jhoome jiyaa, kaise yeh main kahoon, aajaa sajanaa

mehki mehki yeh raat hai,
behki behki har baat hai,
lajon maroon, jhoome jiyaa, kaise yeh main kahoon, aajaa sajanaa

tere liye palkon ki jhaalar bunoo,
kaliyon saa gajre mein bandhe phiroon,
dhoop lage jahaan tujhe chhaayaa banoo, aajaa saajna

tere liye...

nayaa nayaa sansaar hai,
tu hi meraa ghar baar hai,
jaisa rakhe khushi khushi, waise hi main rahoon, aajaa sajanaa

nayaa nayaa sansaar hai,
tu hi meraa ghar baar hai,
jaisa rakhe khushi khushi, waise hi main rahoon, aajaa sajanaa

tere liye palkon ki jhaalar bunoo,
kaliyon saa gajre mein bandhe phiroon,
dhoop lage jahaan tujhe chhaayaa banoo, aajaa saajna

tere liye....

pyar meraa, teri jeet hai
sabse achchha meraa meet hai
tere liye roun piya, tere liye hasoon, aajaa sajanaa

pyar meraa, teri jeet hai
sabse achchha meraa meet hai
tere liye roun piya, tere liye hasoon, aajaa sajanaa

tere liye palkon ki jhaalar bunoo,
kaliyon saa gajre mein bandhe phiroon,
dhoop lage jahaan tujhe chhaayaa banoo, aajaa saajna