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Hi everyone
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We have started a new Web site,
essentially a Singapore directory, to let visitors add links to Web sites on
Singapore. The links are added free of charge. unlike on Getforme -
Singapore on the Web. There are other features, such as forums, food and
email, to keep visitors occupied.
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As it is brand new, we expect it
will take some time for people to wander in and learn what this new Web site,
which we have named Singaworld, has to offer them. Just how did we
arrive at the name, Singaworld?
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Singaworld was born out of
a need to separate fiction from fact and truth from fallacy. The quote "Singaworld
- ...a nation of four million people who seem to have traded everything for
money" appeared in a letter to the Forum Page of The Straits Times of 20
May 2004.
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In that letter, the Singaporean
writer took to task a recent article which appeared in the Lifestyle section
of the Sunday Times, Johannesburg, South Africa. The forum writer whose
outstation home was in Johannesburg said that the article "contributor
had been hosted by the Singapore Tourism Board during the launch of Uniquely
Singapore".
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According to the forum writer,
among other things, the contributor was not "impressed with the people.
The young girls she saw on the street were likened to Asian versions of
Britney Spears; the young men were accused of having succumbed to the David
Beckham cult".
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The forum writer said the
contributor also mentioned "at least twice in the article that
Singaporeans, in their pursuit of economic progress, have turned into
money-hungry, soul-trading worshippers of Mammon".
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"I must confess that my first
reaction to the article was one of outrage," the forum writer went on.
"But, as the initial feelings settled, I reflected on what had been
written about my homeland," she continued.
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Then, the forum writer revealed
that "I love Singapore despite its not-so-perfect culture. I love
Singapore because it is my HOME."
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Are you in agreement with her?
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Do you have similar feelings about
Singapore?
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Show the rest of the world what
you feel - participate in the Singaworld forums. Share your stories and blare
all so that the world can indeed find out the truth about Singaporeans, warts
and all.
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How about those of us running
Singaworld? Of course, we love Singapore, yes - warts and all. That's why we
have put Singaworld online for all Singas.
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definition of Singa:
those of us Singaporeans who think we belong to "a
nation of four million people who seem to have traded everything for
money". plural: Singas
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By the way, we located the
original article which appeared in the Sunday Times, South Africa, on 14 Jun
2004, almost a week before the forum writer contributed her letter. Here's the
link: Nashira
Davids goes in search of the soul of Singapore, only to find it's been
replaced by 'progress'. For copyright reasons, we are unable to reproduce
the article here.
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Visit Singaworld at www.singaworld.com.
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Have a good week ahead!
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Monday with the Editor: New Web site Singaworld launched
