Dear readers, may I plead with you not be too hard with our poor national servicemen. These young Singaporeans do not have a choice. They are "Made in Singapore" and not "Imported" products. Please bear in mind that since they are Singapore citizens and males, they fall under the Enlistment Act, where NS in mandatory. These youths have made many sacrifices and had at times taken part in very dangerous manouvres and missions, like assisting in quake-hit areas and other places where the fury of nature had been unleashed. Please remember that some of the exercises that they have to undergo may result in serious consequences if something horribly goes wrong. In a nation like Singapore where bringing up kids is a very costly thing right from conception till birth, you can imagine how parents feel when their "priceless" children are sent to Tekong Island for the basic military training. Those of you, who have a son or two may be in a better position to understand how parents feel when their loved ones are sent for NS stint. Since raising kids is a very expensive thing in our country, parents have made the right choice but to keep their family number small. Maids have become a neccessity and are engaged as both parents have to work hard from morn till dusk. The presence of the maid for up to 9 years, creates a situation whereby she gets herself "very-attached" to these youngsters. She come to regard them as her own children and as a foster-mother truly cares and have deep concern about their well-being. This could be the case of the maid in that Stomp picture. A show of concern for the youngster who may have just returned from a week on an island. This are feelings within us, as parents, observers and care-givers. Please do not fault or condemn that poor youngster.
At the end of the day, let us truthfully look at the fringe benefits given to the young men who are prepared to risk their lives in the service of a nation. The montly allowance given to them is a pittance. Every month from that meagre and paltry sum, some is taken for insurance. There is zero CPF contribution during their service to the nation. As a father, I can feel the pain of parents whose sons have been through NS, or of those whose kids may be going through it now.
Why don't the government of the day, as a token of appreciation, give all the NSmen free medical benefits, free education in universities, half-price rides in MRT and SBS Transit. At the end of the day, these youths are doing a great service to Singapore. Don't you think that they should be given these benefits? Such a treatment would surely make our youths into truly loyal Singaporeans.
Stop all the lip-service. If the government of the day, cannot do this, please scrap national service and instead create a regular army, police and civil defence force. "When you pay peanuts you get monkeys".
Majulah Singapura.
At the end of the day, let us truthfully look at the fringe benefits given to the young men who are prepared to risk their lives in the service of a nation. The montly allowance given to them is a pittance. Every month from that meagre and paltry sum, some is taken for insurance. There is zero CPF contribution during their service to the nation. As a father, I can feel the pain of parents whose sons have been through NS, or of those whose kids may be going through it now.
Why don't the government of the day, as a token of appreciation, give all the NSmen free medical benefits, free education in universities, half-price rides in MRT and SBS Transit. At the end of the day, these youths are doing a great service to Singapore. Don't you think that they should be given these benefits? Such a treatment would surely make our youths into truly loyal Singaporeans.
Stop all the lip-service. If the government of the day, cannot do this, please scrap national service and instead create a regular army, police and civil defence force. "When you pay peanuts you get monkeys".
Majulah Singapura.
