Forgetting Little India is not in India

No riot this time and perhaps the no alcohol policy helped. People lose their common sense when they drink.


We cannot afford to let these workers forget that Little India is part of Singapore and not their homeland. It is really easy to forget. When we were living in Dubai, the way to experience Singapore is to visit Ikea at Festival City. If not for the Arabic price tags I would occasionally forget that I was not in Singapore. Of course when on holiday overseas one never bother to visit the local Ikea.

We and they too have to accept that living in Singapore you must be very clear why you come here and don't try to replicate India in Singapore. It is our duty and privilege to treat them well and decently. I don't think we want to use them like those in the Gulf States. On the other hand we put ourselves at risk if they forget Little India is not in India and our orderliness apply. In such matters, the small issues are actually the big issues, i.e., we have to persuade and if necessary force them to keep Little India free of litter. When they see how clean and orderly the place is, they will always know this is not India and may be what tomorrow's India could be.