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New Year Resolution for 2008: Swim faster, Run longer, maybe return to cycling.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

How about the Goh Keng Swee Bridge?

Picture this:

Young Son to Dad, "Daddy, why is this bridge called 'The Helix'?"
Dad, "well, Son, that's because it looks like DNA."
Then the father goes on to explain what DNA is, hopefully.
Son's general knowledge goes up one notch.

Now picture this:

Young Son to Dad, "Daddy, why is this bridge named after a Goh Keng Swee? Who is Goh Keng Swee?"
Dad, "Well, Son, Dr Goh Keng Swee was one of Singapore's founding fathers. He was a visionary and a pragmatic leader....... Without him, Singapore wouldn't be what it is today."
Then the father goes on to tell the history of Singapore and Dr Goh's contribution to our nation building.
A sense of pride envelopes the Son; the legacy of Dr Goh lives on.

The design and thought process that went into The Helix is in itself something for Singapore to be proud of, just like it being the impetus for people to know who Dr Goh Keng Swee was to Singapore. Would it be too late to name The Helix into the more appropriate Goh Keng Swee Bridge?

Dr Goh just passed away at the age of 91. Local TV stations are broadcasting a tribute for him. After this slew of tributes, then what? Dr Goh Keng Swee will be forgotten after his state funeral. Already the younger generation have no idea of who he is, who he was to Singapore, and how he contributed to our nation building. There must be something to remind us and future generations who Singaporeans really are.

1 comment:

jiji said...

I totally agree with you. I had heard of his name when I was younger but had no idea who he was and what he did.

After reading numerous reports on him and watching some of the tributes on tv, I have a better picture and all I can say is Wow!. His legacy deserves a lot more and a bridge will be a good constant reminder.

At the end of the day, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't because of people like him.

-Zijie