The architect of this miracle is a undoubtedly Lee Kwan Yew. Lee Kuan Yew was the prime minster of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, making him the longest-serving PM in history. During his long rule, Singapore became the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.
In 1963, Singapore joined the newly created Federation of Malaysia. This was short lived dream though. Growing rancor between Chinese and Malays in the Federation, however, resulted in rioting in Singapore, notably marked by the Prophet Muhammad Birthday Riots, or Sino-Malay riots, of the summer of 1964. A year later, with racial strife continuing, Lee was told by his Malaysian colleagues that Singapore must leave the federation.It is said that Lee was a passionate believer in the federation and if so, this should go down as one of his failures. He ruled Singapore with an iron fist and ran his country efficiently and brought prosperity unheard of before his tenure, at the cost of a mildly authoritarian style of government. Lee was a man of great vision.By the 1980s, Singapore, under Lee's guidance, had a per capita income second only to Japan's in East Asia, and the country had become a chief financial center of Southeast Asia.
Singapura ( Lion City in Sanskrit ) or Singapore was probably named by an Emperor from the Sri Vijaya dynasty that ruled over parts of Indonesia. There seems to be a bit of deception here as Singapore was not populated by lions. However the city state has had a checkered history till we arrive at Lee Kwan Yew and modern Singapore. Indian's have migrated to and lived in this Island since centuries.
Singapore is a diverse nation and welcomed the educated expatriate. However today Indian and Chinese expatriates are facing increasing discrimination in Singapore with rental websites putting up advertisements saying "no Indians, no PRCs," according to a media report. A report on the BBC says it is not clear how many foreign workers have been affected because of the bias against migrants from India and People's Republic of China. However, several expatriates have described experiencing varying levels of discrimination. The island recently witnessed rioting after an Indian was killed in a bus accident, raising the temperature all around. Apparently Indian expat tenants are not on the favored list as they cook 'smelly curries'. Well, on an occasion many years ago as I dipped into a bowl of 'Dal', I distinctly heard the word 'Scheisse', as group of Germans sitting at the adjacent table stared at my food. Scheisse is shit is German.I let that one slide, as I figured that arguing with the ignorant served little purpose. Racial taunts leave deep scars and bad memories.
I was not overly fond of Singapore and found it to be a dry and boring place, painfully picture perfect.Never the less, I hope this tiny nation can work its issues out!
No comments:
Post a Comment