Speech by Mr Khaw at YOUth Love Singapore 2013
Speech by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, National Development, at the Blossom World Society “Youth Love Singapore” National Day Event on Saturday, 17 August 2013 at The Lawn.
"Youth Love Singapore" National Day Event
Posted on Mr Khaw's Facebook, AUG 21, 2013.
" When Blossom World Society asked me to join them at Marina Bay for a “Youth Love Singapore” event to mark Singapore’s 48th Birthday, I could not say no to such a meaningful event. I was actually committed to another event, but I adjusted the schedule to accommodate both.
3,800 turned up for the event, and with so much passion! The Society has 500 members, but through FB, got so many to join in. There was also a candlelight procession and quite a moving one as we lit one another’s candle in solidarity and full expression of gratitude for what we have.
Blossom World Society is a secular, NGO run by youths, with one objective to promote filial piety and gratitude. Indeed, filial piety is the foundation of society and gratitude is the first step to love and happiness."
Singapore as a 'safe, multicultural society' should never be taken for granted: Khaw
Originally published on The Straits Times, AUG 17, 2013.
Singapore's billing as a safe, multicultural society should never be taken for granted, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Saturday, citing the ongoing turmoil in Cairo, Egypt.
He added that youth, when inculcated with sound values such as gratitude, kindness and filial piety, will bring the country to greater heights.
"The best is yet to come," he said at the end of a 10-minute address at a National Day commemoration event held by local non-profit entity Blossom World Society. Mr Khaw had also penned in its guestbook upon arrival: "Gratitude is the first step to love and happiness."
The event concluded with a mass candlelight procession of 3,868 participants, including youth and their family members, that entered the Singapore Book of Records. In the segment, Mr Khaw passed the flame of his "candle of hope" to the youth, which organisers said symbolises the spurring of a younger generation to do their bid for nation building.
Blossom World Society volunteer, Nanyang Technological University undergraduate Ooi Ching Fei, 24, said Mr Khaw's speech resonated with him. "The concept 'do unto others as you would have others do unto you' is something that, if widely adopted, will lead to a harmonious society," he said, adding that graciousness and an open mindset are also key to conflict resolution.
