We are a small-populated country and it is important to build up our own defence. Also, we are unable to afford to maintain a large-standing army, instead, we have to utilise our own working population in times of need. In order for us to do so, we need National Service to train them to ensure that we are able to mobilise them in any case of danger.
2) In the above poem, the speaker expresses his love for his country England. Do you have the same spirit for patriotism towards Singapore? Why?
Yes, I have the same spirit for patriotism. Singapore has shaped me to who and what I am right now. Also, I do not treat this as an obligation, but rather, a choice I want to make in defending the land I was raised in.
3) Do you consider yourself a patriot to your country?
Honestly speaking, I do not really consider myself a patriot to Singapore yet. Most probably, I hope to become a patriot though, but I do not really see myself walking down the path of being a patriot to my country. The main reason to this is because the feeling of closeness and attachment of myself to my country is not forged yet. Maybe, just maybe, entering the National Service would create this bond between the country and myself and by then, I would become a patriot to Singapore.
3) Do you consider yourself a patriot to your country?
Honestly speaking, I do not really consider myself a patriot to Singapore yet. Most probably, I hope to become a patriot though, but I do not really see myself walking down the path of being a patriot to my country. The main reason to this is because the feeling of closeness and attachment of myself to my country is not forged yet. Maybe, just maybe, entering the National Service would create this bond between the country and myself and by then, I would become a patriot to Singapore.
I would like to raise the point that, however much one claims his intense patriotism for his country, one would not be able to have the same kind of loyalty the persona in "The Soldier" would experience, unless something life-changing happens which drops you with a lesson that would guide you to be more appreciative of and be more patriotic to the country.
ReplyDeletePatriotism exists due to the fact that you have a sense of belonging to the country. Your family and close friends are all here. You were raised here, bred here, to become a somebody in this society. So it is not that there is no feeling of closeness or attachment of yourself and your country, but rather, it is the bond between your family and friends that allows you to be close to the country. Don't forget, a society's most important resource, especially in the case of Singapore, would be ITS PEOPLE.
Well i agree that NS is important too. As they all say, it turns boys into men. It is true in many ways. It lets you experience the harsh trainings that would require the pushing of mental and physical limits, which are what grown men have to face in the future, in the society, ant this perseverance that would be instilled into the young soldiers would prove valuable to them. I also think that patriotism is a very rare quality, especially at this age. Now, students of our age only care about two things. Obviously they are report books and computer games. They tend to be oblivious to the outside world and thus are not able to develop this patriotic feelings. I myself do not consider myself as a patriot.
ReplyDeleteFor the point on the importance of NS, you can also mention one of the founding principles of NS, that is to foster a common identity among young males of different races through which patriotism can also be achieved. I think you have missed out the point on whether Singaporeans have the same passion and patriotism in their country.You could have also raised more examples on how the patriotism you have towards Singapore can be potrayed.
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