Cheryl's reflection

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Throughout the heritage trail, I realised that all the stops are very significant to the Singapore's history and in my opinion, especially the political aspects of Singapore's growing up years. All of the monuments and buildings were present to witness many major milestones of Singapore's transformation. More than that, they are what Singapore and the pioneer batch remember the past with. Their importance lies in the memories that they are storing. Personally, it was a great experience despite the sun and all the walking because it forces me to think about how much Singapore had gone through over the years, from being a colonial country to the Japanese occupation and finally gaining independence.

I am thankful for the National Heritage Board for their efforts for preserving Singapore’s heritage. It allows interested parties the opportunities to imagine themselves of how life was in the past. I think the problems lies here, although these trails are readily available, does many people come on board this trail? To the older generation who they themselves had witness or know the stories, this trail serves as a reminder of what had happened. To the younger ones who knew this buildings and monuments only by name and not know the significance, this trail can become the storyteller that recounts the past to them. I think it is important that the younger generation be told of these for if not the purpose of these buildings and monuments will be lost. When that day comes, sooner or later, our children will tear them down for further redevelopments for tomthem, it does not have any meaning.

Therefore, I strongly believe that it should be a deliberate effort to keep our heritage alive and perhaps we could do more to ensure that happens. This is not restricted to just the National Heritage Board but every single Singaporean who treasures and appreciates how Singapore had since grown.