And so,it ended. The state funeral for the founding PM of Singapore ended just about 6 hours ago.
What now?
This week-long mourning has no doubt been the longest I have experienced so far. It is after all the highest honor a country can give to its late leader. It was supposed to be grand, but God set the rain, perhaps a shower of blessing and a final farewell. The rain set the mood, making it more sombre and solemn.
The rain left droplets of water on the camera lens situated at every corner possible just to cover the entire event live. Truthfully, I was expecting more from the 21 gun salute as well as looking forward to the moment the black knights flew over. But I guess the rain hindered it; especially when the fighter planes flew over, i could only hear it as it flew past my estate amidst the wind and patter of the rain.
Hundreds lined almost the entire route that the gun carriage bearing Mr Lee's coffin took, passing historical landmarks that he helped to build. From the Parliment house, it went down to North Bridge Road, past schools like Singapore poly before making its final wave down to Clementi Road to NUS University Cultural Centre. The raining poured non-stop but the citizens stayed vigilant and everyone had umbrellas in their hands as they tried to shelter themselves and wait in the rain just to catch a glimpse of the carriage. Even if it was only for a moment.
In the university cultural centre, the various ministers, majesties and presidents from both Singapore and all over the world came just for a final send off. 10 eulogies were read in honor of him and many spoke of the works he had done for Singapore. PM Lee Hsien Loong opened the floor and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, the younger son closed it.
So now that the entire mourning and funeral is over, what now? What lies in store for Singapore?
Just my opinion, this past week has been tiring. Why?
It has been tiring that the entire nation felt that it has rewound into the past. Every channel that you turned to broadcasts the late MM Lee's speeches, rallies, his life, his works. It was touching for the first 2 days, but it was gruelling for me during the last few days. Everything was on re-run. they repeat the programmes over and over again. With all due respect, I do acknowledge him of his works for Singapore, his efforts etc. I do did signed the condolence book, expressing my heartfelt words to him, the same I would have said when he was alive. When he was alive. Yes, that's what has been bugging me. Why do we pay tribute only to someone as great as him when he has died? Why did we not do it when he was alive? Won't he be pleased and happy when we had a special tribute for him maybe during one of the CNY celebrations? These 7 days, they were really intense. Telling you achievements of a dead man. For remembrance purposes I do agree but I feel a sense of remorse that we did not do enough when he was alive.
The questioned that was asked the most during this period was 'What did Mr Lee do for you?'. The most common reply? "When I wake up every morning, I see the trees that shade me I thank him, When I turned on the tap, I have clean water to drink, I thank him. When I go to school, to strive for an education, I thank him. When I have friends of different race and religion and we do not have fights, I thank him. I thank him for the buildings around me, for the flat I can stay in, the transport system I can take."
Practically everything concrete is something you would thank Mr Lee for. But why only do so when he has passed on? On normal days, Singaporeans are famous for complaining about everything. The policies. CPF, Housing. Everything. Even when there is a train fault which stalled you for 15mins. What happened to thanking him for having a train system that can bring you around Singapore. Singaporeans are extremely pampered. I too am a Singaporean and I admit that i am pampered too. But I feel that we need to change. Maybe not our lifestyle, but our mentality in order to continue Mr Lee's legacy. We need to stop being so demanding, and be more realistic. Get the facts right before jumping to conclusions and thinking that you are always right. We should be more appreciative and more patient. If you are nice to society, you would think that the society is nice to you too.
I saw this post on fb. This line struck me the most "He was not always hail and thunder.. he is not a god. He is not a man of god as he had always declared, but i won't be surprised if he was a man from god." (Disclaimer: I do not know what religion this person who wrote this touching post is from, but I would like to borrow it and view it from a Christian's pov) I agree that he was truly a blessing from the Lord God almighty. We did we do to deserve this God-sent man into this tiny island of ours. I can never understand the reasoning behind God's works, but I have always been extremely thankful for everything he has done.
No doubt, Mr Lee, you'll always remain in our heart. But I hope that the current and new gen of Singaporeans will always learnt to appreciate what they have right not, and not wait for the passing of another great leader before having another week of mourning and then having a mini tribute probably every national day.
p.s I finally found out who made the quote I mentioned in the previous post --> It was the late MM Lee himself, he made it in 2011. I will leave you with it.
God Bless. Rest in Peace MM LEE.
"I have spent my life, so much of it, building up this country. There’s nothing more that I need to do. At the end of the day, what have I got? A successful Singapore. What have I given up? My life"
=do something right=
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