How can playing of drums be banned for this festival while others are allowed such as St Patricks Day, Chingay, Lion Dance etc ? Come on, this is 2015 and singaporeans are sensible . Instead of an outright ban, the Govt should look into educating the Indian community . As a chinese singaporean, I support the re-evaluation of the ban of musical instruments even though I do not attend Thaipusam . Arent we supposed to 'pledge ourselves as one united people?
The Singapore National Pledge is an oath of allegiance to Singapore. What happened to our fellow Hindu Singaporean was deprive to play musical instructment during their Thaipusam ritual. Are not the Singapore Pledge recited "pledge ourself as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality". Do our ruling party honor the Five Share Values. Coat of Arms of the National Pledge or are they above law?
The Total Ban on musical instruments and or music at Thaipusam Procession is unwarranted. Some forms of arrangements can be made to control the numbers of musicians participating and their distances from each other troupes. View against other festivals and processions where musics and even firecrackers are main features, the Total Ban imposed on Thaipusam is unfair and discrimination. Hopefully, the Authority will review the Ban.
Why are foreigners allowed to play drum or musical instrument and consume alcoholic drinks and celebrate their religious believe and culture here ? Why ban the playing of drum or musical instrument to our cultural and religious believe of Thaipusam celebration that had been celebrated since 1927. We always believe strongly to respect the other race in our 4 races, Multi-Cultural and Multi- Religious society that had been living in peace for the past 50 years or so. We believe in our national pledge very strongly to be fair and equal in our democratic society, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation and the Government too should respect and uphold the pledge.
Urimi is a traditional south indian musical instrument. These groups are popular now in singapore and malaysia. The musician find their source to train themselves. Neither did HEB nor indian cultural organization train them. Early days we did not have independent organized music groups. But now we have. It's appropriate for HEB to change its rules. If HDB, CPF can change rules time to time why not HEB?
It's not just the F1 sports cars, discotheques that are also noisy. Do they know the decibels our ears are subjected to when music is blasted directly to the ears via earphones? What makes the forbidden-in-Singapore Indian musical instrument more hazardous than earphones or more irritating than say...wailing babies, that the Urimi needs to be banned?
Additionally, it is disgusting to know that our ministers do not want to spare any effort in collaborating with various religious or cultural organizations to add Taoism Day, Thaipusam, Easter Sunday and Prophet Mohd's birthday as public holidays of our country. Is it because their salaries are not high enough for them to complete such a task for the benefit of Singaporeans?
Do you know that Singapore has the LEAST Public Holidays in North Asia and SEA?And most probably we are one of the Nations with the LEAST Public Holidays in the World! And yet our Finance Minister Tharman still insisted that we cannot have Thaipusam as public holidays because of "business cost"!
We live in a culturally diverse city state but such colourful mix of culture wasn't reflected in our social sphere because of PAP government's rule. We are a cultural desert and will remain so as long as there are only restrictions and red tapes put on cultural events like Thaipusam instead of strong government support.
Why do we need F1 or the two Casinos to attract tourists when our cultural diversity could provide the necessary vibrancy and interests to tourists? Even in a mono-cultural place like Hong Kong or Taiwan, they have managed to promote various cultural or religious events as attractions to tourists! This is the result of governmental support and deliberate funding.
No matter how we look at it, banning music in any cultural events like Thaipusam, is OXYMORON. All cultural events will need music as the main enhancement of atmosphere for the event.
In short, we can have one or two more holidays installed for Singapore, in view of the lowest number of holidays we have here. I would propose reinstatement of Thaipusam as well as putting up another day for Taoist as public holidays. Taoism is always mixed with Buddhism but they have distinctive differences. It is time we put recognition to such differences.
And for goodness sake, stop doing stupid things like banning music for any cultural events. It is really a international joke to the world.
Regardless of race,language or religion we Singaporeans seriously respect, accept and treasure our beliefs and rights. I'm proud to see our brothers and sisters who are are not Indians but shows so much care and concern for our culture so what's the issue with our authorities? What's the issue here with lifting up the ban of our culture instruments? Hindu Endowment Board, this waiting game is enough and you should be giving us an answer for all our feedbacks. You failed to represent us. If you can't still decide then please STEP DOWN and let the expert lead. We don't want our next generation to be lead the same way as us or should I rephrase they will never be tolerant like us. Let us have the sense of fulfillment for Thaipusam!
we are no living in the 1960s or 70s .this is 2015 .I don't have any problems with other races or religious celebration with music or anything.it been discrimination going on against us for ages .in the early days HEB were run by Sri Lankan Tamils.it was not like MOM claimed religions were not involved in deciding the holidays in Singapore.it was base on the 4 major races .each getting 2 days each .further more it was not Thaipusam and Deepavali to choose from .it was Vesak Day and Thaipusam that was put up to choose from.the pioneer generation and my generation knows all about this ..this HEB Sri Lankan Tamils wanted to satisfy the Ceylonese very small community and ill advice the Late Minister Rajaratnam .whom was a Sri Lankan Tamil himself and not a religious person.so Vesak Day was chosen because of this selfish people.we need justice . what our Pledge is said is not followed in our case .it's high time we get our holiday back for Thaipusam and playing of classical Indian music on the procession.in the early day in 1970s people carried thankis and played all kind of western music ,cinema songs ,gangster gang fights and all that .today it's a very different era .after many year I went to Thaipusam because my niece was taking part for the first time .I personally witnessed a very change different Thaipusam procession.but sadly it was lifeless without music and the space on the road side had strung to very small area .please change the discrimination that was done to the Singapore Indians.
“Statement from Hindu Endowments Board on Thaipusam” published on HEB web page. As the situation has turned out to be a concern for the citizens, community & has garnered criticism at national level, Why didn’t HEB take the initiative to call for a press conference or interacted by social media or internet to update us the situation & progress? It took so long to get the updates & actions were taken after receiving enormous number of criticism were received via social media, etc…Waited till Law Minister Mr. K. Shanmugam updated via press & media. Like in the case of Air Asia QZ8501 tragedy, when it’s CEO Tony Fernandes took the right path towards leadership. Haven’t HEB learned from mistakes. Why proactive measures weren’t taken up in advance?
Admin Sathiyamoorthy s/o Murugiah Voices of Singaporean Indians
How can playing of drums be banned for this festival while others are allowed such as St Patricks Day, Chingay, Lion Dance etc ? Come on, this is 2015 and singaporeans are sensible . Instead of an outright ban, the Govt should look into educating the Indian community . As a chinese singaporean, I support the re-evaluation of the ban of musical instruments even though I do not attend Thaipusam . Arent we supposed to 'pledge ourselves as one united people?
ReplyDeleteThe Singapore National Pledge is an oath of allegiance to Singapore. What happened to our fellow Hindu Singaporean was deprive to play musical instructment during their Thaipusam ritual. Are not the Singapore Pledge recited "pledge ourself as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality". Do our ruling party honor the Five Share Values. Coat of Arms of the National Pledge or are they above law?
ReplyDeleteThe Total Ban on musical instruments and or music at Thaipusam Procession is unwarranted. Some forms of arrangements can be made to control the numbers of musicians participating and their distances from each other troupes.
ReplyDeleteView against other festivals and processions where musics and even firecrackers are main features, the Total Ban imposed on Thaipusam is unfair and discrimination. Hopefully, the Authority will review the Ban.
patriot aka Sim Melvin
Why are foreigners allowed to play drum or musical instrument and consume alcoholic drinks and celebrate their religious believe and culture here ? Why ban the playing of drum or musical instrument to our cultural and religious believe of Thaipusam celebration that had been celebrated since 1927. We always believe strongly to respect the other race in our 4 races, Multi-Cultural and Multi- Religious society that had been living in peace for the past 50 years or so. We believe in our national pledge very strongly to be fair and equal in our democratic society, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation and the Government too should respect and uphold the pledge.
ReplyDeleteUrimi is a traditional south indian musical instrument. These groups are popular now in singapore and malaysia. The musician find their source to train themselves. Neither did HEB nor indian cultural organization train them. Early days we did not have independent organized music groups. But now we have. It's appropriate for HEB to change its rules. If HDB, CPF can change rules time to time why not HEB?
ReplyDeleteIt's not just the F1 sports cars, discotheques that are also noisy. Do they know the decibels our ears are subjected to when music is blasted directly to the ears via earphones? What makes the forbidden-in-Singapore Indian musical instrument more hazardous than earphones or more irritating than say...wailing babies, that the Urimi needs to be banned?
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, it is disgusting to know that our ministers do not want to spare any effort in collaborating with various religious or cultural organizations to add Taoism Day, Thaipusam, Easter Sunday and Prophet Mohd's birthday as public holidays of our country. Is it because their salaries are not high enough for them to complete such a task for the benefit of Singaporeans?
Do you know that Singapore has the LEAST Public Holidays in North Asia and SEA?And most probably we are one of the Nations with the LEAST Public Holidays in the World! And yet our Finance Minister Tharman still insisted that we cannot have Thaipusam as public holidays because of "business cost"!
ReplyDeleteWe live in a culturally diverse city state but such colourful mix of culture wasn't reflected in our social sphere because of PAP government's rule. We are a cultural desert and will remain so as long as there are only restrictions and red tapes put on cultural events like Thaipusam instead of strong government support.
Why do we need F1 or the two Casinos to attract tourists when our cultural diversity could provide the necessary vibrancy and interests to tourists? Even in a mono-cultural place like Hong Kong or Taiwan, they have managed to promote various cultural or religious events as attractions to tourists! This is the result of governmental support and deliberate funding.
No matter how we look at it, banning music in any cultural events like Thaipusam, is OXYMORON. All cultural events will need music as the main enhancement of atmosphere for the event.
In short, we can have one or two more holidays installed for Singapore, in view of the lowest number of holidays we have here. I would propose reinstatement of Thaipusam as well as putting up another day for Taoist as public holidays. Taoism is always mixed with Buddhism but they have distinctive differences. It is time we put recognition to such differences.
And for goodness sake, stop doing stupid things like banning music for any cultural events. It is really a international joke to the world.
Goh Meng Seng
Regardless of race,language or religion we Singaporeans seriously respect, accept and treasure our beliefs and rights. I'm proud to see our brothers and sisters who are are not Indians but shows so much care and concern for our culture so what's the issue with our authorities? What's the issue here with lifting up the ban of our culture instruments? Hindu Endowment Board, this waiting game is enough and you should be giving us an answer for all our feedbacks. You failed to represent us. If you can't still decide then please STEP DOWN and let the expert lead. We don't want our next generation to be lead the same way as us or should I rephrase they will never be tolerant like us. Let us have the sense of fulfillment for Thaipusam!
ReplyDeletewe are no living in the 1960s or 70s .this is 2015 .I don't have any problems with other races or religious celebration with music or anything.it been discrimination going on against us for ages .in the early days HEB were run by Sri Lankan Tamils.it was not like MOM claimed religions were not involved in deciding the holidays in Singapore.it was base on the 4 major races .each getting 2 days each .further more it was not Thaipusam and Deepavali to choose from .it was Vesak Day and Thaipusam that was put up to choose from.the pioneer generation and my generation knows all about this ..this HEB Sri Lankan Tamils wanted to satisfy the Ceylonese very small community and ill advice the Late Minister Rajaratnam .whom was a Sri Lankan Tamil himself and not a religious person.so Vesak Day was chosen because of this selfish people.we need justice . what our Pledge is said is not followed in our case .it's high time we get our holiday back for Thaipusam and playing of classical Indian music on the procession.in the early day in 1970s people carried thankis and played all kind of western music ,cinema songs ,gangster gang fights and all that .today it's a very different era .after many year I went to Thaipusam because my niece was taking part for the first time .I personally witnessed a very change different Thaipusam procession.but sadly it was lifeless without music and the space on the road side had strung to very small area .please change the discrimination that was done to the Singapore Indians.
ReplyDelete“Statement from Hindu Endowments Board on Thaipusam” published on HEB web page. As the situation has turned out to be a concern for the citizens, community & has garnered criticism at national level, Why didn’t HEB take the initiative to call for a press conference or interacted by social media or internet to update us the situation & progress? It took so long to get the updates & actions were taken after receiving enormous number of criticism were received via social media, etc…Waited till Law Minister Mr. K. Shanmugam updated via press & media. Like in the case of Air Asia QZ8501 tragedy, when it’s CEO Tony Fernandes took the right path towards leadership. Haven’t HEB learned from mistakes. Why proactive measures weren’t taken up in advance?
ReplyDeleteAdmin
Sathiyamoorthy s/o Murugiah
Voices of Singaporean Indians