Category Archives: General

Lessons in harmony from the heartland

LAST Saturday’s special report, ‘It’s my condo and I do what I want’, revealed the social malaise among condominium dwellers. Squabbles prevail even in the upper strata of society. But this need not be a reflection on all condo residents. There may be others who are different.

A society of narcissists cares little for the common good, as narcissists are too busy contemplating their own navels to consider others.

The other day, I was spending time with my children and their HDB neighbours at a public playground. Children from all races, about 20 of them, were playing Frisbee and badminton together and sharing bicycles. It was a cool and refreshing evening that culminated in the celebration of a nine-year-old girl’s birthday at the public barbecue pit. Continue reading

Singapore Botanic Gardens to be expanded with new parkland

Singapore’s Botanic Gardens will be expanded with the addition of a new parkland.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said a 9.8-hectare parkland at Tyersall Avenue will be added to the Gardens.

This parkland will form a seamless extension to the west of the Gardens, bringing the total area of the Botanic Gardens to almost 74 hectares.

And, there will be a new arboretum on the parkland. The Tyersall addition is slated to be completed by 2012.

Mr Mah said: “A rich diversity of flora and fauna, including some rare species, exists in the forest at this new site. An arboretum will be developed to capitalise on this rich biodiversity, integrating the forest in the extension with the existing rainforest within the Botanic Gardens to form an enlarged forest habitat. Continue reading