Dear readers, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore’s 4th Prime Minister on 15 May 2024.
This is actually an auspicious date as 15 May 2024 is the day to celebrate the birthday of Buddha for some countries. In Singapore, the Buddha’s birth is celebrated as part of Vesak Day.
Arising from his inspiring maiden speech by Prime Minister Lawrence to the nation, I welcome and much appreciate the vision by PM Wong for a Singapore which celebrates and recognises diverse talents and abilities and to not be fixated on the traditional markers of what constitutes success like academic excellence, wealth and power.
And I believe this calls for the enlightenment of more people to recognise that a good and successful life is not just about money and power but also about making a good contribution to the community as a whole in whatever capacity we are in. As Buddha is often associated with enlightenment, I find 15 May 2024 as a coincidentally appropriate date too in sharing the aforementioned vision!