Random thoughts on Singapore and tsunami relief

What are the lessons that Singaporeans ought to draw from the disaster of Dec 26 and the subsequent help given by Singapore to our neighbors? In particular, what should the teachers tell the future generation?

Let's see what education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has to say on this (from CNA Jan 15):

...teachers can instil in [the students] the confidence from the fact that even as a small nation, Singapore was quick to extend help where it was most critically needed. The Republic also initiated the international summit that is leading to coordinated action to help the affected countries.

I guess it all depends on how the first sentence is accented. Look, obviously, the kids ought to know what we did--the sheer rapidity of the SAF and SCDF's response are themselves textbook examples of operational readiness. (In fact, an important part of the intention of this blog is precisely to do something about that.) But I really hope the point is not to make us feel good about ourselves.

I don't think we've done a lot more than what we should have done. Your neighbor's house is burning (your own is in no danger) and you happened to be there with the means to help--your cellphone, your garden hose--something would be amiss if you do not feel the urge to do something and to act upon that urge. You were there and there were things you could have effectively contributed.

The accent should be on the next sentence.

This will help students know that because Singapore was not hit by the tsunamis, Singaporeans feel the responsibility of wanting to help those who were.

This also mean that the example of the men and women of the SAF, the SCDF, the various NGOs and other volunteers is exactly that--an example--that the rest of us could emulate, follow or support. They are not trophies for our own self congratulation.

Just my thoughts.