Happy 50th Birthday Singapore; your children salute you.
So Singapore turns 50 today and as any true blue Singaporean I too confess I am super proud. I have been a part of free Singapore for 2/3rds of this journey and there is no other place I would have rather been born in!
It’s a little difficult not to be a staunch fan of Singapore, especially when, as a citizen, you know the struggles the country has gone through and the heights it has touched!
50 years is a short time. But under the stewardship of its inspiring pioneer leaders, Singapore has reached the status of a leader in Asia. I am not talking about the financial shenanigans of our country – we know that we’ve been listed as the top 3 wealthiest nations and that 17% of our population are millionaires – and for a country our size, that means a lot.
But what I would like you to appreciate is this – Singapore is hailed as the best place in Asia for mothers! In Singapore, lifetime risk of maternal mortality is down by 80 per cent and child mortality has reduced by 25 per cent while the gross national income per capita has doubled and the percentage of women in parliament has increased six-fold over the past 15 years, according to last year’s report by the Save The Children NGO.
Let’s see some recent statistics: Our country topped the biggest global school rankings yet again this year. Singapore is among the top countries with the highest levels of literacy as well, right since the 1960s.
What do non Singaporeans, living in our beautiful island nation, think? According to a survey by HSBC Bank International, expats raising their children in Singapore, confirm that it is the best place to raise their children in Asia and globally the second best. 56% of expats said that their kids easily synched with the community while 65% said that their kids easily made friends in this country.
About the education system, 70% revealed that their kids easily adapted to it, with 75% even admitting that it is better than that in their home country. They loved our good childcare systems and a safe environment for kids. What do you know? They even confessed that their kids ate less junk food here.
As a Singaporean, this is what makes me feel so proud. What contributes to this sense of social wellbeing and healthy standard of living? It is most definitely political will and path-breaking decisions. 50 years is a really short duration but there is really no limit to what proper and thoughtful decision-making can bring about!
I wish to see the SG100 also and really want that in that year we will have more such successes to celebrate!
Roshni Mahtani
CEO and Founder