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| Q: Diplomacy is the most effective way to ensure that Singapore can confidently meet threats and preserve her sovereignty. Do you agree? Explain your answer
No, I do not agree that diplomacy is the most effective way to ensure that Singapore can confidently meet threats and preserve her sovereignty. This is because there are other measures that are just as important. This includes Deterrence. Deterrence refers to measures taken by countries to prevent and protect themselves from threats. These threats may be carried out by countries or non-state aggressors such as transnational terrorists. Thus, deterrence is needed. An example of deterrence is Total Defence. Total Defence was introduced in 1984 to involve the citizens in the defence of the country. It consists of Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological defence. Military defence consists of having a citizen armed force and the 3rd Generation SAF. All able-bodied male citizens were called up to serve fulltime NS. Through it, Singaporeans learn to defend their country. Singaporean men also bond as they share common experiences during their training. This bonding helps develop a sense of loyalty, patriotism and a shared destiny for Singapore. The 3rd Generation Singapore Armed Forces was created to research on new technologies to use in war. Also, there is Singapore’s Defence Industry. The defence industry was established to produce small arms ammunition. The defence industry improves the capability and effectiveness of the SAF. It has enabled Singapore to develop a powerful defence force. By building up its own defence industry, Singapore has overcome its constraints through its own innovations. Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is made up of trained Singaporean volunteers who work together in a time of need to rescue lives. An incident is the collapse of Hotel New World. The SCDF managed to rescue 17 lives. Economic Defence involves the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). The WDA works with other agencies to support industry growth and upgrade skills of existing workers. In this way, industries in Singapore can remain competitive and workers have the relevant skills to remain employable in a competitive economy. Social Defence involves the strengthening social ties. Examples of this are the Community Development Councils (CDCs), schools and the Inter-Racial Confidence Circle (IRCC). They hold various events such as emergency preparedness exercises, visits to places of worship of different faiths and inter-faith dialogues and workshops. This helps to ensure that unity will be maintained. Finally, Psychological Defence. It is about having pride and loyalty and wanting to stand up to defend this country. It is also about having the will and mental strength to overcome challenges. During the SARS period in 2004, psychological defence was evident in the may example of how ordinary people managed to overcome the challenge of SARS. Therefore, I conclude that Diplomacy is not the most effective way to preserve Singapore’s sovereignty. Rather, it is as effective as deterrence. | | |
| I agree to a large extent that Self-Confidence comes with Popularity. A very good example of this is our very popular celebrities. They have no qualms whatsoever of talking to the masses, have no issue of stage fright, and are even better at acting. They have no worries unlike the average joe. We are extremely uncomfortable when it comes to talking to the masses, not to mention singing or acting. We often find it a hassle and dislike it as we feel uncomfortable in front of a large crowd and feel much pressurised. The celebrities however, are perfectly fine with talking normally, singing their hearts out and talk to a crowd of people as if they are talking to just one person. Of course there is a possibility of them being born with a certain courage and also a certain outspoken nature, but i do believe that their confidence have been very much built up because of their popularity. | | |
| Dear School Principals,
I would like to bring forward an issue that is very much happening and causing unhappiness and distress among students all around Singapore. Schools are in fact wasting much precious time. As can be easily seen nowadays, schools are ending later and later. This results in students going home to see their parents already finishing up their dinner after coming home from work. The few main roots of this are: 1) CCA, 2) Extra Lessons. I am not asking for the immediate halt of all CCA and Extra lessons, but i feel that the timing for the start and end of the programme should be more fixed and controlled. This would make managing time easier for students, as they would know exactly what time CCA ends, what time they can get home and can then plan out their schedule accordingly. I personally think that it would benefit much as many times i end lessons with the worry of not having time to do my work or pondering over what i can squeeze into the amount of time i have after the CCA, In fear of ending late.
Also, ending late would result in the student being very fatigued and having little energy left to do their assignments in the night. Thus leading to a lack of sleep or even not having the attention span or capability to finish their assignments. Only to get scolded the next day by the cause of all this - The School. CCAs and Extra Lessons cause students to have little or no recreational time left.
Another culprit is the organisation of extra lessons or CCA or remedial on weekends. Many if not all schools are making students go back on weekends despite the five-day work week policy. I often think to myself: Why should the schools be allowed to appeal for the students to come back on weekends. Shouldn't schools go under the 5-day work week policy as well? By right, schools should not be getting students back on weekends unless there are special occasions. However, this act of going back on weekends is turning into a much regular thing. The weekend is supposed to be a time spent for students and teachers to relax and have some time alone or with close ones. Its suppose to be a time to unwind. Unfortunately, our weekends are cut off due to schools as well. I do not think that students should return to school on weekends as they already stay back most days after curriculum time as it is. With the constant taking away of recreational time and precious time needed to unwind. The consequences may be disastrous - Students are going to be like zombies, following everything by the book and leaving little room for creativity as there is no space for the students to reach for greater heights or have the freedom of speech and having their voices heard.
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|  Gandhi Mahatma
Gandhi's first major achievements came in 1918 with the Champaran agitation and Kheda Satyagraha, although in the latter it was indigo and other cash crops instead of the food crops necessary for their survival. Suppressed by the militias of the landlords (mostly British), they were given measly compensation, leaving them mired in extreme poverty. The villages were kept extremely dirty and unhygienic; and alcoholism, untouchability and purdah were rampant. Now in the throes of a devastating famine, the British levied
an oppressive tax which they insisted on increasing. The situation was
desperate. In Kheda in Gujarat, the problem was the same. Gandhi established
an ashram there, organizing scores of his veteran supporters and fresh
volunteers from the region. He organized a detailed study and survey of the
villages, accounting for the atrocities and terrible episodes of suffering,
including the general state of degenerate living. Building on the confidence
of villagers, he began leading the clean-up of villages, building of schools
and hospitals and encouraging the village leadership to undo and condemn
many social evils, as accounted above.
But his main impact came when he was arrested by police on the charge of
creating unrest and was ordered to leave the province. Hundreds of thousands
of people protested and rallied outside the jail, police stations and courts
demanding his release, which the court reluctantly granted. Gandhi led
organized protests and strikes against the landlords, who with the guidance
of the British government, signed an agreement granting the poor farmers of
the region more compensation and control over farming, and cancellation of
revenue hikes and its collection until the famine ended. It was during this
agitation, that Gandhi was addressed by the people as Bapu (Father) and
Mahatma (Great Soul). In Kheda, Sardar Patel represented the farmers in
negotiations with the British, who suspended revenue collection and released
all the prisoners. As a result, Gandhi's fame spread all over the nation. He launched a fast-unto-death in Delhi, asking that all communal violence be ended once and for all, and that the payment of Rs. 55 crores be made to Pakistan. Gandhi feared that instability and insecurity in Pakistan would increase their anger against India, and violence would spread across the borders. He further feared that Hindus and Muslims would renew their feud and precipitate into an open civil war. After emotional debates with his life-long colleagues, Gandhi refused to budge, and the Government rescinded its policy and made the payment to Pakistan. Hindu, Muslim and Sikh community leaders, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Mahasabha assured him that they would renounce violence and call for peace. Gandhi thus broke his fast by sipping orange juice. Done By:
Choon Hwee
Yuxun
Shawn
Nick
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| Finally im making another post! but its gonna be real short cause my tutor is coming..
ytd went to yx bday party. had lotsa fun. played soccer for like 3 hrs before eating like so so much food den playing com wif his bro and playing T T. was really fun and realised dat theres another person hu lives near me. Well its been almost 3months since then but its still so difficult to clear my mind. no idea why.. but it makes going there a torture instead of a place to relax.. so close yet so far away
-Shawn- | | |
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