EVERY National Day, filled with pride and gratitude, I count the nation's blessings.
Ravaged by Sars five years ago, Singapore now continues to enjoy a robust remaking.
Our education system continues to be transformed. Our present institutes of technical education are the polytechnics of yesteryear, our present polytechnics, the universities of the past.
Given time, our current universities will surely achieve international Ivy League status.
A First World economy; a leader in financial and medical services, information technology and biomedical research; a sovereign wealth fund, with two entities among the top seven; rated first among 131 countries in 'public trust of politicians' and 'transparency of government policy making' by the World Economic Forum; with a vibrant arts scene and Formula One night racing next month... Singapore is sizzling.
A global leader in public housing and, arguably, public transport, it is a microcosm of racial and religious harmony.
Does this make us a great nation? I think not, at least not yet. We must improve customer service standards, as a recent study suggested. So too, our 29th spot among 140 nations in the Global Peace Index.
While many factors make a great nation, I suggest one to which we can all contribute - that we live and act by three values that describe the spirit of Singapore: integrity, service and excellence. These are also the core values of the Government.
By practising them as a nation, and not just as a government, we shall be more compassionate to the less fortunate and build a more equitable society.
My birthday wish for Singapore is to celebrate this indomitable Singapore spirit each day, embracing and living with integrity, service and excellence, forging ahead as one nation from good, to great.
Ravaged by Sars five years ago, Singapore now continues to enjoy a robust remaking.
Our education system continues to be transformed. Our present institutes of technical education are the polytechnics of yesteryear, our present polytechnics, the universities of the past.
Given time, our current universities will surely achieve international Ivy League status.
A First World economy; a leader in financial and medical services, information technology and biomedical research; a sovereign wealth fund, with two entities among the top seven; rated first among 131 countries in 'public trust of politicians' and 'transparency of government policy making' by the World Economic Forum; with a vibrant arts scene and Formula One night racing next month... Singapore is sizzling.
A global leader in public housing and, arguably, public transport, it is a microcosm of racial and religious harmony.
Does this make us a great nation? I think not, at least not yet. We must improve customer service standards, as a recent study suggested. So too, our 29th spot among 140 nations in the Global Peace Index.
While many factors make a great nation, I suggest one to which we can all contribute - that we live and act by three values that describe the spirit of Singapore: integrity, service and excellence. These are also the core values of the Government.
By practising them as a nation, and not just as a government, we shall be more compassionate to the less fortunate and build a more equitable society.
My birthday wish for Singapore is to celebrate this indomitable Singapore spirit each day, embracing and living with integrity, service and excellence, forging ahead as one nation from good, to great.
