As I took the morning NEL train today, I was greeted by the sight of many colourful traditional costumes (saris, kebayas, songkoks, cheongsams and even a kimono) worn by young school girls, boys and teachers. As the train glided on with its usual precision, these wonderful commuters alighted at their following stations: at Boon Keng, at Farrer Park, at Dhoby Ghaut and Outram Park (which are located enroute to their respective schools). Immediately I realized that today, it is Racial Harmony Day. Since 2002, Racial Harmony Day has been commemorated annually with an anchor event based on a theme. In 2002, it was Racial Harmony Games Day; in 2003, it was Racial Harmony Music and Dance Day. This time around, it is Racial Harmony Discovery Day. Harmony through Discovery Trail: pupils work together in multi-racial teams and participate in a series of fun, treasure hunt-type activities (through enjoyable outdoor activities, they learn teamwork and make new friends of other races). These activities help to tap pupils' knowledge and experience of the ethnic cultures in Singapore. The education officers have in line many things for the pupils like working out answers, solving puzzles and completing tasks in the race to reach their destination of harmony. Things are done on a storyline basis to make life easier for the young minds to assimilate. At a video show in Anderson Junior College, students played out short sketches to depict racial stereotypes and insensitivities. The sketches take pain to show how possible misunderstandings can be solved and the importance of fostering meaningful ties between the different races in Singapore. As pupils develop leadership qualities and meeting challenges together, we are assured of a safe and happy future. Acting Education Minister Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam in a recent address said that "as we go about our daily lives, in making the small efforts to get to know each other better and develop a sense of comfort with each other, our social fabric remains strong and vibrant; we preserve the peace and we continue to prosper". We must "re-discover the roots and branches and find the great charm of the different cultures that we have in Singapore". Coming to the college sketch about misunderstanding, I once remembered an interesting incident. I was then very young about ten years old. My mother, her friend and I were at the market. A fat European lady was passing by. My mother's friend giggled after saying in Hindi,"Oh! My God. See how she walks like a penguin with her two arms slightly raised by her sides. I wonder from which shop does she buys her rice?" Almost immediately the European lady shot back in Hindi: "Mem, I buy the rice from the same shop which you patronize". I noted that there was anger and frustration in her voice. My mother's friend was shocked and surprised beyond expectation; she apologized profusely. I watched this small drama and was amused that the European lady knew our mother tongue. Surely, it is not a good practice to talk bad about another in their presence in our own dialect. Even if the person may not know the language, the gestures and facial expression, the tone of voice and accompanied laughters can tell a thousand things about us. Yes, as for the European lady and my mother's friend, they became the best of friends after this strange meeting. It may seem to be a trivial matter to some of us but the hurt feelings can be damaging. How can we foster good human relations with our fellow humans? Fortunately we are civic minded people here. Recently there has been racial graffiti scrawled in public places in Australia. Racial riots or tension is common in many third world countries. The once picturesque paradise-like Yugoslavia was disintegrated due to ethnic cleansing and racial discrimination. The Nazis in history considered that the Germans were of superior breed. Mahatma Gandhi's grandson ever came to Singapore in 1969. As a well-known traveling musician, he sang a moving song which went like this: "How many times must the cannon balls fly before they are forever banned..." He was appealing for world peace in the wake of super power rivalry between the USA & USSR. The war between North & South Vietnams was going on in aggressive manner: there were plenty of rocket fires accompanied by the fury of napalm bombs and carpet bombings. Even cloud seeding was rampant to bring heavy rain so as to upset each other's war plans. Once the national fabric and nation's sovereignty is torn and tattered, it is not easy for a leader to tailor them. There is still the search for lasting peace in civil war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan. The International Red Cross, the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations are working hard to bring food and shelter, peace and happiness to the millions on Earth.
	There is great beauty in what the Minister said. It is not easy to preserve racial harmony but in Singapore we are very lucky because the government has taken great care concerning national integration. Our leaders, both in the government and community level are visionary in their effort and approach to promote national unity and harmony. Our very survival of nationhood lies in this value. We must not forget the national core values. We are a nation of rich cultures and heritage. Each of us has many things to contribute. Take for instance the Malays. From them we have the Malay jogets, batik and songkok, Javanese spa massage, "gotong-royong' (kampung style spirit of co-operation), nasi ayam & ketupats, the rebana, colourful Malay wedding, congkat and sepak takraw, skill of silat, art of kris making, mouth watering traditional kueh-kueh, durian cake, satay, sambal, use of Indonesian jamus, colourful kite-flying, top spinning competition, exotic Islamic embroidery, artistic sculptures and so on. Indians has contributed things like the shiny glass bangles and 'bindis' (forehead dots), artistic jewel designs, carvings of Gods and Goddess in stone, Bharata Natyam, Kathakali dance, snake charmers, delicious vadai, tosai, puree, battura and naan, Indian sweets, sweet meat, kima, chicken tandoori, the tabla and harmonium, Indian henna painting and Kolam. Chinese have given us the art of abacus, use of jades and pearls, Ming vases, stone sculptures, Chinese calligraphy, Fengshui knowledge, martial arts, traditional drama and street operas, Chinese flutes, herbal medicine, tasty cuisine like frog leg soup and herbal chicken and etc. The Peranakans has given us the fusion of baba culture. Europeans introduced to us turkey meat, the joy of Christmas, Easter eggs, Valentine Day, the melodious piano, the tradition of confession in churches, the cheers of musical bells, beautiful Sundays and Western music. We must always remember the national pledge: "We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people regardless of race, language or religion to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation". As the strain of the pledge, said in unison, floated in the bright and colourful atmosphere of SM Lee Kuan Yew's 80th birthday celebration chamber, the father and architect of modern Singapore himself was deeply moved. Pledge for Racial Harmony: We, the people in Singapore, declare that religious harmony is vital for peace, progress and prosperity in our multi-racial and multi-religious Nation. We resolve to strengthen religious harmony through mutual tolerance, confidence, respect, and understanding. We shall always * Recognise the secular nature of our State, * Promote cohesion within our society, * Respect each other's freedom of religion, * Grow our common space while respecting our diversity, * Foster inter-religious communications, and thereby ensure that religion will not be abused to create conflict and disharmony in Singapore.
	Yours Harmoniously Om Nath Panday 21 JULY 2004